Pinal Mountains
| Pinal Mountains | |
|---|---|
 View of the Pinal Mountains from atop Round Mountain north of Globe, Arizona ( facing South ) | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,848 ft ( 2,392 m ) at Pinal Peak |
| Prominence | 4,086 ft ( 1,245 m ) |
| Coordinates | 33° 16′ 56.28″ N, 110° 49′ 16.32″ W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Gila County, Arizona |
The Pinal Mountains are a mountain range located in Gila County, Arizona. They have a maximum elevation of 7,848 ft (2,392 m) at Pinal Peak and a prominence of over 4,000 ft (1,200 m).[1] The closest city is the Globe, Arizona/Miami, Arizona area, which is just a few miles north of the mountain range. The mountains are located within the Tonto National Forest, and their recreational facilities are maintained by the USDA's United States Forest Service. The San Carlos Indian Reservation is very close to the mountain range, with its boundaries being just a few miles east/northeast of the range. The mountains are covered with Ponderosa Pine and white fir and experience cooler weather than the Globe/Miami area, so that they are a popular recreation area in the summer. The maintained facilities include a maintained dirt road that goes all the way to the summit of Pinal Peak, a campsite and recreational area, many hiking trails, as well as some radio towers near both Pinal and Signal peaks ( the two highest peaks of the range ).
Location
The entire range is located in southern Gila County, Arizona and is a few miles south of Globe, Arizona and Miami, Arizona.
History
The area around the Pinal Mountains was known to be inhabited by Pueblo-culture Native Americans around the 11th and 12th centuries. This early culture has been called the Salado culture, and it thrived for centuries in the area. The Besh-Ba-Gowah ruins near the city of Globe are known to have been occupied by people of the Salado Culture from the 13th to 15th centuries. However, around the middle 15th century the Salado inhabitants abandoned the area and moved south, possibly merging with the Pima people in the process. Around this same time the Apache and Yavapai people started to settle around the area. The Apache called the Pinal Mountains Dzi£ Nnilchí' Diyiléé, meaning "pine-burdened mountain", while the Yavapai called the mountains Walkame, or "pine mountains".[2] Later on, in the 17th century, the Spanish began to explore the region and met with the native peoples; they translated the natives' term for the mountain into Pinal, or "stand of pine trees" in Spanish. On at least one occasion the Pinal Mountains were a battle location between Spanish forces and the native Apache warriors; this brief conflict was called the Battle of the Pinal Mountains.
Recreation
The mountains are often a place of recreation in the summer months, due to their cooler climate and scenic beauty. There are many trails and a campsite to support recreation.
Trails
Recreation areas on Pinal Mountain include at least 8 public hiking trails, two of which are Sixshooter Canyon Trail #197 and Icehouse Canyon Trail # 198, both located on the northeastern side of the mountain and accessible via maintained roads.[3]
Campsite
The Pinal Mountain recreation area also includes a public campsite, with 16 units with picnic tables, fire-pit grills, and 4 vault bathrooms. The open season for this campsite is May–November according to the USDA Forest Service.[4] The campsite is reachable via a maintained dirt road that stretches to the top of the mountain.
Gallery
-
-
Small stream in the Pinal Mountains
-
-
-
References
- ↑ Surgent, Scott and Steeyyr (February 14, 2005). "Pinal Peak : Arizona's Top 100 Peaks by Prominence". Summitpost.org. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "The Pinal Mountains". Windspiritcommunity.org. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Six Shooter Trail #197 • Hiking • Arizona •". Hikearizona.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ↑ "Tonto National Forest - Pinal & Upper Pinal". Fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
External links
Coordinates: 33°16′56″N 110°49′16″W / 33.2823°N 110.8212°W