Sierra Estrella

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Sierra Estrella (Komatke)
Estrella Mountains
Range
Estrella Mountains from Laveen, January 2004. Hayes Peak is on the right.
Name origin: sierra estrella, Spanish for Star Range

Country	United States
State	Arizona

Highest point	Hayes Peak
- elevation	4,511 ft (1,375 m)
- coordinates	33°16′25″N 112°16′51″W / 33.27361, -112.28083

The Sierra Estrella is a mountain range located southwest of Phoenix, Arizona. Much of the range falls within the Gila River Indian Reservation, but 11,400 acres (46 km²) of BLM land is protected as the Sierra Estrella Wilderness.

The mountain range offers fantastic views and great weather. Visiting the Estrellas is ideal to escape the desert heat. On the highest peaks, temperatures are usually 8-12 degrees cooler than what is seen in the valley. Snow can be seen at least once or twice a year on the highest points of the mountain range (typically above 4,000 ft). Sometimes, the snow level can drop near 2,000 ft, but depends if the precipitation reaches the mountain range. A good example is during the month of March 2006, when a heavy storm system reached the state and lowered snow levels near 4,000 ft. Once the skies cleared next morning, snow covered the Estrella's mountain tops.