Top Piestewa ( "English pronunciation helps"> py- ES -t? -wah ; O ' odham: Vainom Do'ag , formerly Squaw Peak ), at 2,610 feet (796 m) is the second highest point in The Phoenix Mountains, after Mount Camelback, and the third highest in the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Located in Piestewa Peak Recreation Area in Phoenix Mountain Preserve, near Piestewa Parkway (Arizona State Highway 51). Piestewa Peak is named in honor of the Army Spc. Lori Ann Piestewa, the first Native American woman known to have died in combat in the US military, and the first female soldier killed in action in the 2003 Iraq War.
Video Piestewa Peak
Name
At least since 1910, the name Squaw Peak has been used as a reference to the mountain. Other historic names include Mount Squaw Tit, Phoenix Mountain and Vainom Do'ag, Pima's name for the mountain. As the term "squaw" is considered insulting by some, many attempts to rename the mountain were made over the years. Country Representative Jack Jackson, who is also a Navajo, filed a draft law to rename each year starting in 1992, which resulted in frequent and frequent debates in Arizona. In 1997, a local youth group from the American Indian Movement, which petitioned with the State Council on Geographical and Historic Names in 1997 to change its name to Iron Mountain, an English translation of the original Pima mountain name. The council examined the matter for almost a year before reigning in July 1998 which is too doubtful of its existence, whether the name Vainom Do'ag actually refers to the mountain or another nearby peak and the petition is denied, although the council leaves the door open for possible name change.
The US Council on Geographic Name Policy is to consider feature changes using the word "squaw" when approved by local authorities, but applicants are strongly encouraged to choose a new name relating to women and/or Native American culture. In 2003, newly elected governor Janet Napolitano petitioned the state council to rename the mountain for Lori Piestewa. The lobby of the Governor, though ultimately successful, proved controversial. This controversy comes in part from the fact that the governor's request violated the waiting period requested five years after the death of a person before changing the name of the geographic feature; Piestewa was killed early that year. Tim Norton, a Phoenix police officer who was then director of the Arizona State Council on Geographic and Historic Names, refused to place a request on the board's agenda, citing a five-year requirement. Mario Diaz, a Napolitano aide, then contacted Norton's supervisor with the police department in an effort to pressure Norton to change his mind, but the supervisor refused, stating that it was not a police department issue and was out of authority. Diaz's actions are taken by the press and generate strong criticism from both the public sector and fellow politicians, with some politicians considering formal investigations. Napolitano himself publicly reprimanded Diaz, but the controversy overshadowed Napolitano during his election campaign and during his tenure as governor.
The state council, no director, approved the change of name to Piestewa Peak on April 17, 2003, less than a month after Piestewa's death. The US Council on Geographic Name, however, refused to accept the same petition at the time, citing their own five-year wait rule. Five years later the council agreed to review the request when the waiting period has passed. The Council also considers other potential alternatives, including Swilling Peak for the pioneer of the Jack Swilling area. Ultimately, the national council voted 11-2 to approve the change of name to Piestewa Peak, while pointing out that Squaw Peak's real name may still be used in publications as a secondary reference.
Maps Piestewa Peak
Natural history
As a landform, Piestewa Peak is relatively young, formed about 14 million years ago. However, it consists of much older stones, especially schists.
Flora in this area is typical of the lower Sonora Desert and includes almost all varieties of Arizona cactus such as saguaro, barrel, porcupine, pillow, jumping cholla and prickly pear. Colorful trees and bushes include palo verde, mesquite, giant trees, creosote (dominate), ocotillo, fragile rubber, desert lavender and gigantic bushes.
Wildflowers abound in early spring and include Mexican gold poppies (old yellow), brittlebush (yellow), lupine (purple), globemallow desert (orange) and scorpionweed (purple). Fiddleneck and bladderpod are also blooming in some areas. This is in addition to many varieties of flowering cactus.
Many reptile species thrive in nature reserves, including mad monsters, horned lizards, chuckwalla, and rattlesnakes of western diamonds. Mammalian populations include coyotes, jungle cats, jackrabbit, cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels and fox kits. There are several species of birds that live in nature reserves, including vultures turkey, mockingbird, cactus wrens, Gambel quail and several species of owls and eagles.
Hiking
The Piestewa Peak Peak (elevation = 1,208 feet (368 m) in 1.2 miles (1.9 km)) rises thousands of times per week by locals and visitors looking for cardio-vascular exercise, good landscapes, or family outings. However, some pedestrians do not really reach the top due to the fact that these traces are harder than they seem, especially in summer when temperatures are over 100 ° F (40 ° C). No water is available on the road and dehydration is a common and serious problem for climbers who are not ready. Water is only available on the trailhead, and in some ramadas along the squaw peak trail, uphill from the peak parking lot. Scenes from the summit include, in fine weather, Pinnacle Peak, McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, Superstars Mountains, Table Mountain, Sierra Estrella, Woolsey Peaks, White Tank Mountains, Harquahala Mountains, Papago Mountains, Hieroglyph Mountains and Bradshaw Mountains.
The rise itself takes 25 to 60 minutes in fine weather, depending on the ability of each climber (higher temperatures and brighter conditions can force pedestrians to take twice as long). An early pedestrian must allow 60 minutes for a casual ascent and 40 for descent. The road is mostly well marked. There are 4 places that are confusing and pedestrians who are not familiar with the road will be forced to look around the specified route. There are some parts that are technically difficult because it is steep and there is no safety fence.
There are about fifteen miles of interconnected lines in the Preserve, from easy to difficult. There are some differences in the setting between the peak peak of Piestewa Peak and the rest of the interconnected Phoenix mountain conservation trail system. The larger trail system allows horseback riding, cycling, and pedestrian traffic, including dogs. The summit peak of Piestewa allows only pedestrian traffic: no bikes, dogs, or horses. Larger trail systems are generally open to the public from sunrise to sunset. The summit of Piestewa (only the summit peak) is open from sunrise to 11 pm. This unique late availability is combined with proximity to city lights, and light colored stones are translated to popular locations for night rides.
See also
- Squaw Peak Inn
References
External links
- Phoenix Mountains Preserve, satellite imagery
- Piestewa Peak photos and hiking information
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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