Mogollon Monikers: Origins of Place Names in Arizona’s Rim Country

August 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
Mogollon Rim

Ever since man first set foot in this rugged piece of terrain known as Arizona, he has felt compelled to brand everything with a name. Inspiration for these place names came from a variety of sources—some quite obvious.

Lousy Gulch got its name after all the residents got lice. When Mormon pioneers decided to settle near a large stand of Ponderosa pines, they simply named their community Pine. Another group settled in a small valley where they found wild strawberries growing in abundance and decided to name their town Strawberry. Henry Clifton, a member of an early Indian-fighting militia, claimed that in 1864 the place was known as Wah-poo-eta for a prominent Tonto Apache chief better known to whites as Big Rump. The most obvious place name in Mogollon Rim country was bestowed when a group of settlers pulled into a little green valley and promptly named it Little Green Valley.

Filed Under: Dose of History, Northern Arizona, Small Town Scene Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Regulars, Newbies Flock Daily to Piestewa Peak Summit Trail

August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Piestewa Peak

Located at the heart of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, Piestewa Peak serves as a prominent landmark along State Route 51, just minutes northeast of downtown Phoenix. The summit of this 2,608-foot peak offers 360-degree views of the Valley.

Piestewa Peak is about 14 million years old, relatively young in geologic terms. It’s primarily composed of a metamorphic rock called schist.

Now encased by cityscape and a smattering of lavish homes, the area surrounding Piestewa Peak was once a center for mining and grazing around Phoenix. The city took possession in 1959, and it later became a local hub for day hiking and recreation.

The summit trail is one of the most popular hikes in all of Arizona – and even the nation. According to the City of Phoenix, the trail receives 4,000 to 10,000 hikers per week.

Filed Under: Recreation, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: , , ,

A Two-House Story in Snowflake

August 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Cabin in Snowflake, Arizona

SNOWFLAKE — This is a two-house story, rather than the usual two-story house. It begins in 1878, when Andrew Rogers built a simple one-room log cabin for his family after they migrated to northeastern Arizona. As the family grew, Rogers added more rooms. In fact, he added so many new rooms that they swallowed up the original structure. After a while, all mention and memory of the cabin disappeared.

It stayed that way until 1989, when the house of many add-ons caught fire. While clearing the debris after the blaze was extinguished, workmen discovered the cabin standing among the ashes. Protected by all the additions, the thick logs had withstood the flames.

Filed Under: Dose of History, Northern Arizona Tagged With: , ,

Face in the Rocks Along Tom’s Thumb Trail, McDowell Mountains

July 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
tom rock close

Tom’s Thumb Trail, on the north side of the McDowell Mountains, is dotted with curious rock formations, especially this particular boulder bearing a striking resemblance to one of Snow White’s seven dwarfs.

Could this be Tom? Perhaps. The figure appears near one of the final bends leading to the summit (aka Tom’s Thumb). What do you think?

Want to see it for yourself? Tom’s Thumb Trail is ideal for hikers seeking a bit of a challenge. The trail kicks off with a series of steep, somewhat slippery switchbacks. It levels off among classic Sonoran Preserve beauty – granite boulders, numerous cacti species and lots of lizards that liven up the neatly manicured trail. Views of Scottsdale’s urban sprawl are visible at the peak.

Filed Under: Odd Observations, Recreation, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: , , , ,

South Mountain Preserve is Hub for Hikers, Cyclists

May 18, 2011 By 1 Comment
View from Dobbins Lookout at South Mountain Preserve

South Mountain Preserve, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks, offers outdoor enthusiasts a quick and easy escape from the daily grind. It boasts 16,000 acres of desert wilderness, just a short 10-minute drive from downtown Phoenix.

The preserve encompasses three mountain ranges: Ma Ha Tauk, Gila and Guadalupe. It’s believed the ancient Hohokam Indians settled this area thousands of years ago. Remnants of stone ruins and petroglyphs – or ancient rock carvings – are still visible today.

Starting in 1935, the region was developed into a recreational mecca with multi-use trails, picnic spots and scenic viewing areas. The master plan was spearheaded by the National Park Service utilizing President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps. Many of the structures built during this era still exist.

Today, the park features more than 50 miles of trails and numerous picnic areas.

Filed Under: Recreation, Valley of the Sun Tagged With: , , , , ,
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