Introduction
The Gila River flows south from Buckeye, then makes a wide turn to the west towards Yuma and its juncture with the Colorado River. The Gila Bend Mountains lie to the northwest of this bend in the river while the town Gila Bend lies to the southeast. Rugged, rocky, very dry, and low-elevation hills and mountains have until recently been mostly neglected by outdoors recreationists. There are scattered and abandoned mines, a few small seasonal cattle operations, and two Wilderness Areas.
The Woolsey Peak Wilderness is in the eastern end of the range while in the west end is Signal Mountain Wilderness. Between the wilderness areas are numerous jeep roads and ad hoc trails blazed by ORV's, hikers and cattle. Water is almost non-existent, although the maps show a few springs. Mesquite and Desert Willow trees suggest that some of the major washes have favorable underground water. The long gone prospectors left some treasure behind in the form of fanciful names for some of the hills: Bunyan Peak; Fourth of July Butte; Yellow Medicine; Face Mountain; Dixie Peak.
Google Terrain Map
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Link Below for Large Map
View Larger Map. Area described by this page is indicated by the trekker symbol. The camp symbol points to the BLM campsite at the Painted Rock petroglyphs. Blue line follows Agua Caliente Road.
Webb Mountain, one of the middle-sized peaks in the range, as viewed from the northwest. Photographed Feb. 17, 2008.
Areas close to the Gila River bed are devoted to agriculture. There are two dams located on this stretch of river - Gillespie Dam east of the Gila Bend Mountains no longer holds back water. Painted Rock Dam on the south can sometimes create a large, shallow lake that floods large areas near the river. After drought years the lake may disappear nearly completely. The state park that once graced the lake shore is closed because the water has been contaminated by chlorinated pesticides and similar chemicals. The danger is primarily in consuming fish caught in the lake. Arizona opted to close the lake to fishing and recreational activities.
Directions
From the Phoenix area head west on I-10, then turn south on Hwy 85.
Option 1: Turn west on Hazen Rd. and proceed along Palo Verde Rd. (Old US-80) to Arlington. Just south of Arlington turn west onto Aqua Caliente Rd. This road skirts the north and west sides of the Gila Bend Mountain range finally meeting up with Sentinel on I-8 west of Gila Bend. The distance is over 60 miles and there are no services along the way. If you journey this way be prepared with water and food and make sure fuel is sufficient.
Option 2: Turn west from Hwy. 85 onto Patterson Road hitting Old US-80. From there head north on Old US-80 crossing the Gila River at Gillespie Dam. Just past the dam bridge there is a road running down along the west side of the Gila River with the Woolsey Peak to the west. There are several jeep roads and canyon walks offering access.
