Hieroglyphic Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hieroglyphic Mountains |
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 Hieroglyphic Mountains
Location in Arizona
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Crater Benchmark |
| Elevation | 4,565 ft (1,391 m) |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | volcanic |
| Age of rock | Precambrian |
| Type of rock | granite and schist |
The Hieroglyphic Mountains are a mountain range found in central Arizona. These mountains are located between Maricopa and Yavapai counties. They act like a natural wall northwest of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Because they are close to Phoenix, these mountains are a great place for outdoor fun.
The mountains got their name because people mixed up Egyptian hieroglyphs (picture writing) with petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) found there.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Mountains
Not many people lived in the Hieroglyphic Mountains a long time ago. However, ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, show that Native Americans visited or lived in the area before the 1800s.
Gold Rush and Early Explorers
In 1862, people found gold near Yuma. This made many people want to look for gold in other places, including the Hieroglyphic Mountains. Gold seekers explored the area, but the mountains were very rugged. There was also not much water, which made it hard for people to settle there permanently.
The Healing Hot Springs
In the early 1800s, local Yavapai Native Americans found a natural hot spring in the mountains. They treated this place as a special spot where everyone was welcome to come and heal.
In 1867, US Army Colonel Charles Craig discovered these springs. He was chasing a group of Yavapais through the mountains at the time. His group named the springs Castle Springs. This was because the mountains around them looked like a castle with tower tops. While most stories say Craig found them, some say a gold miner found the springs in 1874.
Castle Hot Springs Resort
Fighting between the US Army and the Yavapai tribes made it hard to develop the area. But in the 1880s, a man named Frank Murphy bought the springs and nearby land. He wanted to build a health resort there.
The resort was finished in 1896 and was renamed Castle Hot Springs. It was advertised to many people. In the 1920s, the resort was very popular. Famous people like writer Zane Grey and wealthy families like the Rockefeller family visited it.
During World War II, from 1943 to 1944, the US military used the resort. It became a place to help injured soldiers recover. Future president John F. Kennedy spent three months there to heal from his wounds. The resort remained popular until a big fire damaged it in 1976.
Lake Pleasant: Water and Fun
In 1928, a dam was built on the Agua Fria River where it flows through the mountains. This created Lake Pleasant. At first, the lake mainly stored water for farming.
Later, in 1973, the Central Arizona Project was created. This made Lake Pleasant a permanent water storage area. It also became an important place for fun activities like boating and fishing. The dam was replaced in 1993, making the lake even bigger.
Exploring the Geography
The Hieroglyphic Mountains mostly stretch from east to west. They run along the border between Maricopa and Yavapai counties. The Agua Fria River is the main river in this area. It flows through the southwestern part of the mountain range.
Highest Points and Peaks
The Buckhorn Mountains are a smaller mountain range located inside the Hieroglyphics. They contain the highest points of the range. This includes Crater Benchmark, which is 4,565 feet high.
Other mountains in the range are:
- White Picacho, 4,283 feet high
- Garfias Mountain, 3,381 feet high
- Hellgate Mountain, 3,339 feet high
- Governors Peak, 3,260 feet high
The Hieroglyphic Mountains are generally bordered by the Agua Fria River to the east. The Bradshaw Mountains are to the north. The Wickenburg Mountains are to the west. Sometimes, the Hassayampa River is considered the western border if the Wickenburg Mountains are seen as part of the Hieroglyphics.
Protected Natural Areas
The Hieroglyphic Mountains are home to the Hells Canyon Wilderness. This is a special wilderness area. It is cared for by the Bureau of Land Reclamation.
