The Phoenix Mountains are a mountain range

Mountain range

A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...

 located in central Phoenix

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...

, Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

. With the exception of Mummy Mountain

Mummy Mountain (Arizona)

Mummy Mountain is a mountain situated in Paradise Valley, Arizona, United States. The mountain is located at latitude 33°32'32.94"N longitude 111°57'40.92"W and rises to an elevation of 2,021 feet above sea level...

, they are part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. They serve as a municipal park and offer hiking

Hiking

Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...

, mountain biking

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...

 and equestrian

Equestrianism

Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...

 trails at a variety of different access points.

Peaks

The major peaks of the Phoenix Mountain complex are:

• Moon Mountain
• Lookout Mountain
• Shadow Mountain
• Shaw Butte
• North Mountain
• Echo Mountain
• Stoney Mountain
• Piestewa Peak
  Piestewa Peak
  Piestewa Peak , at 2608 feet 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 Mountain Preserve. Piestewa Peak is named in honor of Army Spc...
  
   (formerly named and most commonly referred to as Squaw Peak)
• Mummy Mountain
  Mummy Mountain (Arizona)
  Mummy Mountain is a mountain situated in Paradise Valley, Arizona, United States. The mountain is located at latitude 33°32'32.94"N longitude 111°57'40.92"W and rises to an elevation of 2,021 feet above sea level...
  
  
• Camelback Mountain
  Camelback Mountain
  Camelback Mountain is a mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The name is derived from its shape, which resembles the hump and head of a kneeling camel. The mountain, a prominent landmark for the metropolitan Phoenix valley, is located in the Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon Recreation Area...
  
  
• Sunnyslope Mountain
  Sunnyslope Mountain
  Sunnyslope Mountain a.k.a. "S" Mountain is a large, rocky, nearly symmetrical hill in the Sunnyslope section of Phoenix, Arizona. It is located near Central Avenue and Hatcher. The southern slope of the mountain is adorned with a 150 foot white majuscule "S"...
  
  

Other features

The mountains contain the Phoenix Mountain Preserve which includes the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, Lookout Mountain Preserve, North Mountain Preserve and Piestewa Mountain Park.

The Dreamy Draw Recreation Area is located in the pass between the Stoney/Echo mountain ridge and Piestewa Peak known as Dreamy Draw. The name originated from the neurological effects suffered by miners who worked the area's cinnabar

Cinnabar

Cinnabar or cinnabarite , is the common ore of mercury.-Word origin:The name comes from κινναβαρι , a Greek word most likely applied by Theophrastus to several distinct substances...

(mercury sulfide) mine. There is a flood prevention dam in the Dreamy Draw area.

Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail

The trail was dedicated in 1986 to Charles Milo Christiansen, the former director of Phoenix Parks and Recreation who led efforts to preserve the Phoenix Mountains. There is a memorial plaque at the western trailhead at Mountain View Park. The trail is 10.7 miles (17.2 km) long and has a total elevation gain of 200', though the elevations at both trailheads are the same. It connects North Mountain Park with Stony Mountain and Piestewa Peak Park.

External links

• Map of mountains in the Phoenix area