McDowell Mountains
Encyclopedia
The McDowell Mountain Range (Yavapai
: Wii Kajessa) is located about twenty miles north-east of Phoenix, Arizona
, and may be seen from most places throughout the city. The range is composed of miocene
deposits left nearly five million years ago. The McDowells share borders with the cities of Fountain Hills, Scottsdale
, and Maricopa County. The city of Scottsdale has made its share of the McDowells a preserve, and has set up a wide trail network. The highest peak in the McDowells is East End Peak, at four thousand two hundred feet. This mountain range also serves as a sacred marker to the Yavapai people
. The boundaries of the range are generally defined by Saddleback Mountain in the South and Granite Mountain as the Northern boundary. The McDowells also comprise popular landmarks such as Pinnacle Peak and Tom's Thumb. Although technically a stand alone, Mt. McDowell (referred to as Red Mountain by Phoenix residents), not to be confused with McDowell Peak, is sometimes listed on maps as a part of the McDowell Mountains.
Yavapai language
Yavapai is an Upland Yuman language, spoken by Yavapai people in central and western Arizona. There are four dialects: Kwevkepaya, Wipukpaya, Tolkepaya, and Yavepe...
: Wii Kajessa) is located about twenty miles north-east of Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, and may be seen from most places throughout the city. The range is composed of miocene
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
deposits left nearly five million years ago. The McDowells share borders with the cities of Fountain Hills, Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
, and Maricopa County. The city of Scottsdale has made its share of the McDowells a preserve, and has set up a wide trail network. The highest peak in the McDowells is East End Peak, at four thousand two hundred feet. This mountain range also serves as a sacred marker to the Yavapai people
Yavapai people
Yavapai are an indigenous people in Arizona. Historically, the Yavapai were divided into four geographical bands that considered themselves separate peoples: the Tolkapaya, or Western Yavapai, the Yavapé, or Northwestern Yavapai, the Kwevkapaya, or Southeastern Yavapai, and Wipukpa, or Northeastern...
. The boundaries of the range are generally defined by Saddleback Mountain in the South and Granite Mountain as the Northern boundary. The McDowells also comprise popular landmarks such as Pinnacle Peak and Tom's Thumb. Although technically a stand alone, Mt. McDowell (referred to as Red Mountain by Phoenix residents), not to be confused with McDowell Peak, is sometimes listed on maps as a part of the McDowell Mountains.
Summits
- East End Peak
- Thompson Peak (Arizona)Thompson Peak (Arizona)Thompson Peak is located in the McDowell Mountains, the summit being 20 miles to the northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. Its height is almost 4000 feet. Thompson Peak has amateur and Maricopa County government radio towers accessible via a service road from Fountain Hills -External links:*...
- McDowell PeakMcDowell PeakMcDowell Peak is located in the McDowell Mountains, to the northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. Its height is almost 4000 feet. McDowell Peak is located approximately half a mile north of the easily recognizable Thompson Peak , and shares a ridge with the newly named Drinkwater Peak. It is bordered on...
- Sunrise Peak
- Rock Knob