Phoenix Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Phoenix Mountains  |
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|---|---|
| Phoenix Mountains | |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Camelback Mountain |
| Elevation | 2,610 ft (800 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
| Geography | |
| Countries | United States |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Mazatzal |
| Age of rock | Paleozoic–Neogene |
The Phoenix Mountains are a group of mountains found right in the middle of Phoenix, Arizona. Most of these mountains are part of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, which is like a big park for everyone to enjoy.
You can visit these mountains to go hiking, try mountain biking, or even ride horses on equestrian trails. There are many different places where you can start your adventure!
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Discovering the Phoenix Mountains
The Phoenix Mountains are a fantastic place for outdoor fun. They offer beautiful views and a chance to explore nature right within the city.
Amazing Peaks to Explore
The Phoenix Mountains are made up of several important peaks. Each one offers its own unique views and challenges for adventurers.
- Moon Mountain
- Lookout Mountain
- Shadow Mountain
- Shaw Butte
- North Mountain
- Echo Mountain
- Stoney Mountain
- South Mountain
- Piestewa Peak (It used to be called Squaw Peak)
- Mummy Mountain
- Camelback Mountain
- Sunnyslope Mountain
How the Mountains Formed
The Phoenix Mountains have a very long history, going back almost 1.7 billion years! They were formed by amazing natural events like underwater volcanoes and huge movements of the Earth's crust.
Long, long ago, these mountains started as rocks formed in an ocean where volcanoes were active. Over time, these rocks were squeezed and folded by powerful forces during something called the Mazatzal orogeny. This process helped shape the mountains we see today.
The oldest parts of the mountains, like North Mountain and Shaw Butte, are made of very old rocks. As you move southeast, the mountains tend to be made of slightly younger rocks. For example, Piestewa Peak is part of a large folded rock structure.
Later, about 20 million years ago, the Earth's crust in this area started to stretch and pull apart. This stretching created the parallel mountain ranges that you can see all over the Southwest, including the Phoenix Mountains.
Cool Features and Places
The Phoenix Mountains are home to the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. This preserve includes several fun areas like the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, Lookout Mountain Preserve, North Mountain Preserve, and Piestewa Mountain Park.
The Dreamy Draw Recreation Area is in a pass between Stoney/Echo mountain and Piestewa Peak. It's called Dreamy Draw because of the miners who used to work there. They mined a mineral called cinnabar, which contains mercury. There's also a dam in this area that helps prevent floods.
Popular Trails to Hike
The Phoenix Mountains have many trails for people to enjoy. One of the most famous is the Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail.
Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail
This trail was named in 1986 after Charles Milo Christiansen. He was a person who worked hard to protect the Phoenix Mountains so everyone could enjoy them. You can find a special plaque at the start of the trail at Mountain View Park.
The trail is about 10.7 miles (17.2 kilometers) long. It connects North Mountain Park with Stoney Mountain and Piestewa Peak Park, offering a great way to explore different parts of the preserve.
