Hieroglyphic Mountains

The Hieroglyphic Mountains are a range in central Arizona near Phoenix, spanning parts of Maricopa and Yavapai counties. They form a natural barrier northwest of the Phoenix metropolitan area and offer outdoor recreational opportunities. The name comes from confusion between Egyptian hieroglyphs and local petroglyphs.

Historically, the region was sparsely settled by Native Americans, with petroglyphs indicating early visits. Gold prospecting in the 1860s occurred but faced challenges due to rugged terrain and water scarcity. Yavapai Indians used a natural hot spring as a neutral healing site. Colonel Charles Craig discovered it in 1867, naming it Castle Springs, though some sources credit an earlier gold miner.

In the late 19th century, Frank Murphy purchased land around the springs to build a health resort, renamed Castle Hot Springs. It became popular, hosting celebrities like Zane Grey and the Rockefeller family. During WWII, it served as a military rehabilitation center, including John F. Kennedy's stay in 1943-1944. The resort declined after a fire in 1976.

A dam on the Agua Fria River created Lake Pleasant in 1928 for agriculture, later expanded by the Central Arizona Project to store water and support recreation. Geographically, the range runs east-west, with peaks like Crater Benchmark (4,565 feet) and boundaries defined by rivers and other mountain ranges. The Hells Canyon Wilderness is a protected area within the Hieroglyphic Mountains.