Hells Canyon Wilderness (Arizona)

Infobox_protected_area | name = Hells Canyon Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

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caption =
locator_x = 53
locator_y = 112
location = Arizona, USA
nearest_city = Phoenix, Arizona
lat_degrees =
lat_minutes =
lat_seconds =
lat_direction = N
long_degrees =
long_minutes =
long_seconds =
long_direction = W
area = convert|9900|acre|km2|1|sing=off
established = 1990
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Bureau of Land Management

Hells Canyon Wilderness is a 9900 acre (40 km²) wilderness area in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is located approximately convert|25|mi|km|0|sing=off northwest of Phoenix in Maricopa and Yavapai counties. [http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wildareas/hellscanyon.html Hells Canyon Wilderness] - Bureau of Land Management]

Topography

Hells Canyon Wilderness is comprised of a portion of the Hieroglyphic Mountain Range. The most prominent peaks are Garfias Mountain at convert|3381|ft|m|1|sing=off and Hellgate Mountain at convert|3339|ft|m|1|sing=off. Other peaks, most over 3,000 feet in elevation, encircle Burro Flats, effectively isolating the flats from the surrounding countryside.

Private Land

On Earth Day, 2008, The Wilderness Land Trust purchased a 640-acre inholding near the center of Hells Canyon Wilderness. The parcel included Hells Canyon itself and had belonged to a Phoenix area land developer. Once the Trust transfers the land to the federal government the entire wilderness area will be publicly owned.

Vegetation

Most of Hells Canyon Wilderness is covered by Sonoran desert shrub vegetation such as saguaro cactus, paloverde, barrel cactus, ocotillo, and various desert grasses.

Recreation

Popular recreational activities in Hells Canyon Wilderness include rock climbing, hiking, wildlife watching, and camping.

References

ee also

*Wilderness Act
*List of U.S. Wilderness Areas
*List of Arizona Wilderness Areas

External links

* [http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/wildareas/hellscanyon.html Hells Canyon Wilderness] - Bureau of Land Management
* [http://wildernesslandtrust.org The Wilderness Land Trust]