Bradshaw Mountains

Bradshaw Mountains
The Bradshaw Mountains seen from the peak of Mount Union
Highest point
Peak	Mount Union (Arizona)
Elevation	7,979 ft (2,432 m)
Coordinates	34°24′53″N 112°24′14″W / 34.41472°N 112.40389°W / 34.41472; -112.40389Coordinates: 34°24′53″N 112°24′14″W / 34.41472°N 112.40389°W / 34.41472; -112.40389
Dimensions
Length	40 mi (64 km) north-south
Naming
Native name	Yavapai: Wi:kañacha
Geography
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Country	United States
State	Arizona
County	Yavapai
Borders on	Weaver Mountains-W Sierra Prieta-NW Black Hills (Yavapai County)-NE & E New River Mountains-SE
Geology
Period	Precambrian
Type of rock	granite and schist

The Bradshaw Mountains (Yavapai: Wi:kañacha, "rough, black range of rocks"^[1]) are a mountain range in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona, USA, named for brothers Isaac and William Bradshaw after their death, having been formerly known in English as the Silver Mountain Range.^[2]

History

The first known settlements in the Bradshaws were a group of Yavapai people, called the Kwevkapaya who built forts and mined copper from around AD 1100 to 1600.^[3] Apaches occupied the area around 1800 as a means of keeping White settlers out. But by 1863, a party led by William Bradshaw was in the area, followed by the Walker party. In 1864, a group of five white settlers was attacked by Apaches at what is now called Battle Flat. One of the settlers went for help, but upon his return found the Apaches had left.^[4] The Walker party found gold, and within a few years, the Bradshaws were filling up with settlers mining for gold, silver, and copper. In the early part of the 20th century, most of the towns that had sprung up were little more than ghost towns.

Geography

Spruce Mountain seen behind Mount Davis, from the peak of Mount Union

View looking South from the Summit of Mount Union the highest peak in the Bradshaw Mountains

Located approximately 5 miles (8 km) south of Prescott, Arizona, between the Agua Fria River on the east, and the Hassayampa River on the west, the range is 40 miles (64 km) long, and almost 25 miles (40 km) wide.

Peaks

• Mount Union, named during the Civil War, is the highest, at 7,979 feet (2,432 m).
• Mount Davis – second highest at 7,897 feet (2,407 m), named for Jefferson Davis.
• Spruce Mountain – 7,696 feet (2,346 m), misnamed for Douglas firs mistaken for Spruces.
• Mount Tritle – 7,793 feet (2,375 m), named for Frederick Augustus Tritle Governor of Arizona Territory (1882–1885).

• Towers Mountain – 7,628 feet (2,325 m)
• Maverick Mountain – 7,443 feet (2,269 m)
• Mount Wasson

Geology

The Bradshaw Mountains consist primarily of Precambrian granite, gneiss and schist.

Ecology

The biotic community of the Bradshaws ranges from interior chaparral and montane conifer forest, to plains and desert grassland, and Sonoran desert scrub. Many species of trees are found in the Bradshaws, including Piñon, Alligator Juniper, Ponderosa pine, Blue Spruce, Quaking Aspen, White fir, and Douglas fir. As well, much wildlife is present, including javelinas, Mule deer, wild turkey and Short-horned Lizards.

Several creeks have been dammed to form reservoirs, including Lynx Lake, Goldwater Lake, Lake Marapai, Hassayampa Lake, Horsethief Lake, and Cedar Tank.

Human use

An abandoned charcoal kiln, near Walker, Arizona

Gold was first discovered in the Bradshaws in the 1863, over $2,000,000 worth being taken from just the Crown King Mine.^[5] Copper and silver were also mined in the early part of the 20th century.

Ghost towns and other settlements

There are over 40 ghost towns in the Bradshaw Mountains,^[5] including Crown King, Bumble Bee, Goodwin, Bradshaw City, Alexandra and Cleator.

Protected areas

Much of the Bradshaw Mountains are on Prescott National Forest land. Other parks include Horsethief Basin Recreational Area, Lynx Lake Recreational Area, and the Castle Creek Wilderness.

References