Gila Bend Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gila Bend Mountains |
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A view looking west-northwest from the Maricopa Mountains
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Woolsey Peak |
| Elevation | 3,170 ft (970 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 35 mi (56 km) E-W |
| Width | 10 mi (16 km) |
| Geography | |
 Gila Bend Mountains
Location in Arizona
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Region | Centennial Wash & Gila River (Painted Rock Reservoir) (north-central Sonoran Desert) |
| District | Maricopa County, Arizona, USA |
| Settlement | Gila Bend, Az–Arlington, AZ (Wintersburg, Az–Tonopah, AZ) |
The Gila Bend Mountains are a mountain range in Arizona, USA. They stretch about 35 miles (56 km) long. You can find them in the north-central part of the Sonoran Desert, southwest of Phoenix. These mountains are located in Maricopa County.
The Gila River flows across Arizona. Its watershed covers about 65% of the state. The famous Gila Bend is a big turn in the river. Here, the river changes its flow from west-southwest to south, then back to west. The Gila Bend Mountains are the reason for this turn.
Near the mountains, you'll find the Painted Rock Reservoir and the Dendora Valley. The town of Gila Bend is located to the southeast of the bend, right on Interstate 8. To the north, the Centennial Wash flows. It eventually joins the Gila River in the Arlington State Wildlife Area.
Mountain Peaks
The highest point in the Gila Bend Mountains is Woolsey Peak. It stands at about 3,170 feet (966 meters) tall. This peak is in the east-central part of the range.
Two other important peaks are slightly to the west. Signal Peak is in the north-center. It is about 2,182 feet (665 meters) high. Signal Peak is the main feature of the small Signal Mountain Wilderness area.
South of Signal Peak is Bunyan Peak, which is about 2,410 feet (735 meters) tall. Bunyan Peak and Woolsey Peak are both part of the larger Woolsey Peak Wilderness. The closest town to Woolsey Peak is Arlington, Arizona.
