Piestewa Peak
Piestewa Peak (formerly Squaw Peak), at 2608 feet (795 meters) is the second highest point in the Phoenix Mountains, after Camelback Mountain, and the third highest in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. It is located in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Piestewa Peak is named in honor of Army Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat in the US military, [1] and the first woman soldier to be killed in action in the 2003 Iraq Conflict.[2] Piestewa was born in Tuba City, Arizona on December 14, 1979. She was killed in Iraq on March 23, 2003, after the convoy in which she was driving was ambushed in Nasiriyah, Iraq after making a wrong turn.[3] The geological feature had been officially known as Squaw Peak until it was renamed by Governor Janet Napolitano.[4] The change was reaffirmed on April 10, 2008 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Piestewa Peak has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride[5].
Natural history
As a landform, Piestewa Peak is relatively young, formed roughly 14 million years ago. However, it is composed of much older rock, primarily schist.[6]
Flora in this area is typical of the lower Sonoran Desert and includes almost all varieties of Arizona cactus such as saguaro, barrel, hedgehog, pincushion, jumping cholla and prickly pear. Trees and colorful shrubbery include palo verde, mesquite, ironwood trees, creosote (dominate), ocotillo, brittle bush, desert lavender and giant sage shrubs.[6]
Wildflowers are abundant in the early spring and include Mexican gold poppies (deep yellow), brittlebush (yellow), lupine (purples), desert globemallow (orange) and scorpionweed (purple). Fiddleneck and bladderpod also are blooming in some areas. These are in addition to the many varieties of flowering cacti.[7]
Reptiles and wildlife that thrive in the preserve are gila monster, horned lizard and chuckwalla. Hikers also can encounter rattlesnakes. The mammal population includes coyote, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbit, ground squirrel and kit fox. There are more than 54 species of birds from the turkey vulture to mockingbirds, cactus wrens, gamble’s quail and several species of owls and hawks.[6]
Hiking
The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail[8] (elevation gain = 1,190 feet in 1.2 miles) is climbed thousands of times per week by locals and visitors seeking a cardio-vascular workout, great views, or a family outing.[9]. However, quite a few hikers do not actually reach the top due to the fact that this trail is more difficult than it looks, especially in the summer when temperatures are well over 100°F. No water is available on the trail and dehydration is a common and serious problem with hikers who come unprepared. Views from the summit include, in clear weather, Pinnacle Peak, the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, the Superstition Mountains, Tabletop Mountain, the Estrella Mountains, Woolsey Peak, the White Tanks Mountains, the Harquahala Mountains and the Bradshaw Mountains.
The hike itself takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on each hiker's capabilities. A beginning hiker should allow 60 minutes for a leisurely ascent and 30 for descent. The path is mostly well marked. There are 4 spots that are confusing and hikers who are not familiar with the path will be forced to look around for the best route. There are a few sections that are technically difficult as they are steep and there are no guard rails.
There are approximately fifteen miles of interconnecting trails in the Preserve, ranging from easy to difficult.[10]
References
- ^ Arizona Republic
- ^ Davidson, Osha Gray (June 3, 2004). "The Forgotten Soldier, The unsung herione of the Jessica Lynch ambush in Iraq". Retrieved 2008-06-07.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "The Forgotten Soldier," Rolling Stone
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Phoenix Points of Pride". Retrieved October 18.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Piestewa Peak Facts
- ^ Wildflower Viewing Guide
- ^ Google Earth trail map & current weather conditions
- ^ Piestewa Peak Trail Guide
- ^ Trail Guide
External links
- City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation website
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve, satellite images
- Piestewa Peak hiking information
- Stars and Stripes flying over Piestewa Peak
- Piestewa Peak pictures and hiking information
- Women In Military Service For America Memorial
- Summit Trail map for Google Earth and current weather conditions