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Sierra Estrella Wilderness

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Introduction

The United States Congress designated the Sierra Estrella Wilderness (map) in 1990 and it now has a total of 14,400 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Arizona and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Description

Bordered entirely on the north and east by the Gila Indian Reservation, Sierra Estrella Wilderness contains knife-edged ridge-lines, steep slopes, and rocky canyons, one of the most rugged mountainous areas of Arizona. In the northeast corner Butterfly Mountain rises 2,600 feet above the desert plain to an elevation of 4,119 feet in only two miles, a challenge for backpackers and climbers. These extreme elevation changes have produced diverse plant communities: saguaro, cholla, ocotillo, paloverde, and elephant bush lower down, shrub live oak and a few junipers higher up. A remnant herd of desert bighorn sheep roams these mountains. Other permanent residents include the Gila monster, giant spotted whiptail lizard, desert tortoise, mountain lion, mule deer, coyote, javelina, golden eagle, prairie falcon, and Cooper's hawk.

Though Sierra Estrella is not far from Phoenix, few humans venture into this Wilderness. If you wander through, you may stumble across evidence of old mining activity. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required to reach the two public-access points; along the way you'll cross some extremely sandy, deep washes.

Planning to Visit the Sierra Estrella Wilderness?

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Sierra Estrella Wilderness.
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.