Arrastra Mountain Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Mohave, Yavapai, and La Paz Counties, Arizona.
Arrastra Mountain Wilderness is a protected area centered on the Poachie Range, a northwest–southeast trending mountain range rising to almost 5,000 feet (1,500 m). Its eastern section contains Peoples Canyon, where springs feed a 2-mile chain of deep, interconnecting pools shaded by sycamores, willows, and cottonwoods. The southern edge is broken by isolated volcanic plugs and drainages incised into bright orange mudstone.
The Arrastra Mountain Wilderness was established in 1990 under the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management Colorado River District. Some lands in and around the wilderness remain private and are not federally administered.
Peoples Canyon's name is not explained in the sources, but its springs feed a two-mile chain of deep, interconnecting pools shaded by hundreds of sycamores, willows, and cottonwoods. The canyon lies in the eastern part of the Poachie Range, and the water supports this dense vegetation in an otherwise arid landscape.
Visitors need high-clearance vehicles to access the wilderness via 17-Mile Road from Highway 93 or through Palmerita Ranch from Wickenburg. The terrain is remote and rough, requiring preparation and suitable equipment for safe exploration.
The southern edge of the Poachie Range is broken by isolated volcanic plugs and many drainages, several cut deeply into bright orange mudstone. West of the Big Sandy, the Artillery Mountains are dominated by Artillery Peak, a 1,200-foot (370 m) volcanic plug. Some land in and around the wilderness is private and not federally administered.
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