Hualapai Mountains
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Hualapai Mountain is a mountain range near Kingman, Arizona. It contains Hualapai Mountain Park, Pine Lake, Haulapai Mountain Lodge and Motel, and residential areas.
Communities
It has many growing communities at this point, including Lazy YU, which is rapidly becoming a big development. There are lodges, cabins for rent, and permanent housing. A common housing style to the lower area are Santa Fe Style Adobe homes, characterized by their distinct color and cubic shape.
The 'Pinion Pines' community has its own Fire Station, which holds seasonal events for the major holidays. It relies on donations, and fund raisers such as yard sales.
Hualapai Mountain Park
Hualapai Mountain Park used to have free access, but now charges a 5.00 per vehicle day use fee. There is an entering fee area sign, and a self pay box located just outside of the drive up window of the new ranger station located at 6230 Hualapai Mountain Road.
The park has 16 rustic cabins you can rent ranging from $45.00-$110.00 per night, and a wide selection of hiking trails ranging in difficulty. It has a large parking lot, a children's park, picnic tables, barbecues, and handicap-accessible restroom facilities.
The park is managed by the Hualapai Mountain Rangers, who can frequently be seen all over the area. They are available to answer any questions you have regarding the park, the trails and other such related issues.
There are small signs put up around the park area telling the history of the park, the types of vegetation, etc.
Pine Lake
At the top of the mountain, just past the park, is a community known as Pine Lake. The community has approximately 140 homes and is a little over 6,000 ft. in elevation. Several amenities are located in Pine lake, the [Hualapai Mountain Resort], and individuals even rent out their homes for daily or weekend get-aways.
Pine Lake is visited regularly by a local herd of elk and many mule deer wander around daily.
Off Road Trails
From the Pine Lake Community there are a number of dirt roads that lead out into the mountains. There are primarily two main routes out of the community, Flag Mine Road and Ponderosa Rd.
From Flag Mine Road one can access many different routes along the ridges of the Hualapai Mountains and through the various valleys, canyons and washes. Going out Flag Mine Road requires a vehicle with moderate ground clearance for the first part of the road. Once you continue past the Wild Cow Springs turn-off 4 wheel frive and high clearance is highly recommended. Only experienced off road drivers should attempt to go past Wild Cow on Flag Mine Road. Continuing out Flag Mine Road, one will run along the ridges of the mountains climbing over 7,000 ft elevation. there are a number of routes going off the road, the most popular being the Moss Wash Basin. Following Flag Mine Road will eventually take you to the Boreana Mine, and into the back side of Yucca.
About 3 miles out Flag Mine Road you will come to the Wild Cow Springs cut off. If you take this road and staying to the right, you will come to the campground (a fee area). If you stay to the left you will follow the fire escape rout down Antelope Wash Road where you will eventually end up at Blake Ranch Road.
By following Ponderosa Road through the Pine Lake Community, you will come to the Wheeler Wash. Only high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicles should attempt this road. This route will take you to Blake ranch Road.
Habitat
The Hualapai Mountains remain green all year long. They are covered in pine trees, namely Pinion Pine. Above 5,500 feet the Ponderosa Pine grows more readily. Most pine trees are found on the North facing slopes, as that is the cooler side of the hill. The habitat is mainly forest, and has many natural springs.
Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Lion, Javelina, and many other animals can be found here.
Mountain Lion and Bear have been drawn to civilized areas like Pinion Pines and Atherton Acres due to the large deer population. Residents have been feeding the deer, causing them to rely on humans for food, instead of fending for themselves.
There are some animals only native to the Hualapai Mountain range, including a breed of ground squirrel, and a tarantula.