Kachina Peaks Wilderness

Infobox_protected_area | name = Kachina Peaks Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

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caption = Humphreys Peak from the Inner Basin Trail
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Arizona, USA
nearest_city = Flagstaff, AZ
lat_degrees = 35
lat_minutes = 20
lat_seconds = 22
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 111
long_minutes = 39
long_seconds = 45
long_direction = W
area = convert|18616|acre|km2|0|sing=off
established = 1984
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = US Forest Service

Kachina Peaks Wilderness is a convert|18616|acre|km2|0|sing=on wilderness area located approximately convert|6|mi|km|1|sing=off north of Flagstaff within the Coconino National Forest in the U.S. state of Arizona. [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Kachina%20Peaks Kachina Peaks Wilderness] - Wilderness.net]

The Wilderness encompasses most of the upper reaches of the San Francisco Peaks including Humphreys Peak, Arizona's highest point at convert|12643|ft|m|0|sing=off. The area is named for the Hopi gods, or Kachinas, whom according to Hopi mythology live here for part of every year. In mid-summer these Gods fly from the top of the peaks to the Hopi mesas as clouds bringing the rains of the seasonal monsoons. [http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/kachina-peaks-wild.shtml Kachina Peaks Wilderness] - Coconino National Forest] These peaks are sacred to tribes including the Havasupai, Hopi, Navajo, and Zuni. Several religious shrines have been identified in the Wilderness, some of which are still in use.

Geology

Kachina Peaks Wilderness is part of a large composite volcano that last erupted roughly two million years ago. Some of the area's trails lead to the top of the the Kachina Peaks, comprised of Humphreys Peak, Doyle Peak (11,460 feet), Fremont Peak (11,969 feet), and Agassiz Peak (12,365 feet). These mountains form the rim of the volcano's inner basin, a huge caldera which was formed during its last eruption.

Kachina Peaks Wilderness features Arizona's best examples of Ice Age glaciation, found in lateral and medial moraines and abandoned stream beds.

Vegetation

The only Arctic-Alpine vegetation in Arizona is found in a fragile 2-square mile zone on the peaks of Kachina Peaks Wilderness. This is the only place where the threatened San Francisco Peaks groundsel "(Senecio franciscanus)" is found. [http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_wilderness_area/az_kachi.htm Kachina Peaks Wilderness] - GORP]

Recreation

Common recreational activities in Kachina Peaks Wilderness include hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hunting.

References

ee also

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

External links

* [http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/kachina-peaks-wild.shtml Kachina Peaks Wilderness] - Coconino National Forest
* [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Kachina%20Peaks Kachina Peaks Wilderness] - Wilderness.net
* [http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_wilderness_area/az_kachi.htm Kachina Peaks Wilderness] - GORP