Big Horn Mountains Wilderness, Protected area in Maricopa County, Arizona
Big Horn Mountains Wilderness is a 21,000-acre protected area in central Arizona, midway between Phoenix and Quartzsite. Its core is 9 miles of the Big Horn Mountains, rising from desert plains; Big Horn Mountain stands 1,800 feet (550 m) above the desert, with Burnt Mountain and Little Horn Peak nearby. Dark volcanic rocks, columnar cacti and sparse grass cover the foreground below a brown-red ridgeline.
The area was inhabited by Native Americans and later used by early settlers, with Hummingbird Springs serving as a historic water source marked by an old windmill. The wilderness was officially protected by federal law in 1990 and has been managed by the Bureau of Land Management since then.
The mountains take their name from the desert bighorn sheep that inhabit the rocky slopes and are commonly spotted by visitors. The landscape reflects how wildlife and vegetation have adapted to survive in harsh desert conditions.
Access is via Salome Road, from which dirt jeep trails lead into the area and require a vehicle with good ground clearance. Visitors should carry maps, check road conditions before heavy rain, and be prepared for flash floods in arroyos.
The area harbors a variety of desert animals including Gila monsters, desert tortoises, and several birds of prey that nest in the rock cliffs. This diversity makes it of interest to wildlife watchers seeking to observe animals in their natural habitat.
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