What is Wilderness? | Hells Canyon & the Wilderness Act of 1964 

Today we're taking a trip to the top of Governors Peak, in the Hells Canyon Wilderness near Lake Pleasant, about an hour's drive north of Phoenix, Arizona. Along the way, we'll learn a little about the Wilderness Act, a little-known law responsible for creating and protecting some of the most solitary and ecologically essential natural spaces in the United States.
This hike's about six miles long out-and-back, and has about 1,800 ft. of vertical gain. The trail isn't particularly technical, but since it's pretty isolated I'd only recommend this one if you're familiar with the risks and responsibilities involved with backcountry hiking.
Reaching the trailhead requires a five mile drive down a primitive road; it's well maintained and any car can reach it as long as the washes aren’t flooded out. The parking area is a little pull-off RIGHT past a cattle guard. I recommend downloading the AllTrails map beforehand and consulting it while hiking; there’s a fork near the start of the trail that’s really misleading and can get you lost if you’re just relying on cairns and pathfinding.
⛰️ GOVERNORS PEAK ALLTRAILS ROUTE:
www.alltrails.com/explore/tra...
🌐 INTERACTIVE MAP OF ALL U.S. WILDERNESS AREAS:
umontana.maps.arcgis.com/apps...
#Arizona #Hiking #Wilderness #History #Phoenix #Desert #Travel