Superstition Mountains
| Superstition Wilderness | |
|---|---|
| Wi:kchsawa | |
|
IUCN category Ib (wilderness area)
|
|
The Flat Iron peak
|
|
| Location | Maricopa / Pinal / Gila counties, Arizona, USA |
| Nearest city | Apache Junction, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 33°28′41″N 111°14′20″W / 33.47806°N 111.23889°WCoordinates: 33°28′41″N 111°14′20″W / 33.47806°N 111.23889°W |
| Area | 159,757 acres (64,651 ha) |
| Established | 1939 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Superstition Mountains (Yavapai: Wi:kchsawa), popularly called "The Superstitions", is a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona area.
The mountain range is in the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area, and includes a variety of natural features in addition to its namesake mountain. Weavers Needle, a prominent landmark and rock climbing destination set behind and to the east of Superstition Mountain, is a tall eroded volcanic remnant that plays a significant role in the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. Peralta Canyon, on the northeast side of Superstition Mountain, contains a popular trail that leads up to Fremont Saddle, which provides a very picturesque view of Weavers Needle. Miner's Needle is another prominent formation in the wilderness and a popular hiking destination.
As with most of the terrain surrounding the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Superstition Mountains have a desert climate, with high summer temperatures and a handful of perennial sources of water. The elevation in the more remote, eastern portion of the wilderness is higher than the western portion, which lowers temperatures slightly. Numerous hiking trails cross the mountains from multiple access points, including the Peralta Trailhead, the most popular. The Lost Dutchman State Park, located on the west side of Superstition Mountain, includes several short walking trails.
The Superstition Mountains are bounded roughly by U.S. Route 60 on the south, State Route 88 on the northwest, and State Route 188 on the northeast.
The mountains were once known in Spanish as Sierra de la Espuma.
The Superstition Mountains have a maximum elevation of 6,266 ft (1,910 m) and prominence of 1,706 ft (520 m) at Mound Mountain in the far eastern section of the range.
...
Wikipedia