Piestewa Peak

Piestewa Peak (pronounced /paɪˈɛstʌwɑː piːk/ pie-ESS-tuh-wah^[2], O'odham Vainom Do'ag, 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,^[3] and the first woman soldier to be killed in action in the 2003 Iraq Conflict.^[4]

Name

Since at least 1910, the name Squaw Peak had been used in reference to the mountain. Other historic names included Squaw Tit Mountain, Phoenix Mountain and Vainom Do'ag, the Pima name for the mountain.^[5] Among the numerous efforts to change the name of the mountain was an attempt by a local branch of the American Indian Movement, which filed a petition in 1997 to change the name to Iron Mountain, the English translation of the mountain's native Pima name. State Board on Geographic and Historic Names researched the issue for nearly a year before ruling in July 1998 that too much doubt existed as to whether the name Vainom Do'ag actually referred to the mountain in question and the petition was rejected.^[6]

In 2003, Governor Janet Napolitano created some controversy when she successfully lobbied for the change from Squaw Peak to Piestewa Peak. The controvery stemmed in part from the fact that governor's request violated a required waiting period of 5 years after a person's death prior to renaming a geographic feature; Piestewa had been killed earlier that year. Tim Norton, a Phoenix police officer who was serving as the board's director at the time, refused to place the request on the board's agenda, citing the five year requirement. Mario Diaz, an aide to Napolitano subsequently contacted Norton's supervisor with the police department in an attempt to pressure Norton into changing his mind, but the supervisor refused, stating it was not a police department issue and was outside of his authority. Diaz' actions were picked up on by the press and resulted in strong criticism from both the public sector as well as fellow politicians, with some politicians considering a formal inquiry. Napolitano herself publicly admonished Diaz, but the controversy dogged Napolitano during her reelection campaign and throughout her tenure as governor.^[7]

The state board, absent its director, approved the name change to Piestewa Peak on April 17, 2003, less than a month after Piestewa's death. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, however, refused to accept a similar peitition at the time, citing their own five year waiting rule. Five years later the board agreed to review the request as the waiting period had passed. The board also considered other potential alternatives, including Swilling Peak for area pioneer Jack Swilling.^[8] During the discussions, board members indicated that there was considerable opposition to the name change but also indicated that the state's pre-emptive decision had complicated the process. Ultimately, the national board voted to approve the name change to Piestewa Peak, while indicating that the original name of Squaw Peak might still be used in publications as a secondary reference.^[9]

Natural history

Ringtail at Piestewa Peak

As a landform, Piestewa Peak is relatively young, formed roughly 14 million years ago. However, it is composed of much older rock, primarily schist.^[10]

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.^[10]

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.^[11]

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.^[10]

Hiking

Along the Summit Trail

The Piestewa Peak Summit Trail^[12] (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.^[13]. 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 Sierra Estrella, Woolsey Peak, the White Tank 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.^[14]

References

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