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Huachuca Mountains: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 31°24′N 110°18′W / 31.400°N 110.300°W / 31.400; -110.300
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m Adding local short description: "Landform in Cochise County, Arizona", overriding Wikidata description "mountain range in Arizona, United States" (Shortdesc helper)
I took out the word 'the', in reference to Coronado National Memorial. Correct usage is Coronado National Memorial, not the Coronado National Memorial. Also added "possible entry point" in reference to Francisco Vasquez Coronado's entry into Arizona in 1540, as we do not know the exact location of his entry, and have only speculated that it is nearby, in the San Pedro valley. The article did not previously clarify "possible'. All the information at the Memorial park confirms this assessment.
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The '''Huachuca Mountains''' are part of the Sierra Vista Ranger District of the [[Coronado National Forest]] in [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise County]] in southeastern [[Arizona]], approximately {{convert|70|mi|km}} south-southeast of [[Tucson]] and southwest of the city of [[Sierra Vista]]. Included in this area is the highest peak in the Huachucas, [[Miller Peak (Arizona)|Miller Peak]], and the region of the Huachucas known as [[Canelo Hills]] in eastern [[Santa Cruz County, Arizona|Santa Cruz County]]. The mountains range in elevation from {{convert|3934|ft|m|0}} at the base to {{convert|9466|ft|m|0}} at the top of [[Miller Peak (Arizona)|Miller Peak]]. The second highest peak in this range is [[Carr Peak]], elevation {{convert|9200|ft|m|0}}. The Huachuca Mountain area is managed principally by the [[United States Forest Service]] (Coronado National Forest) (41%) and the [[U.S. Army]] ([[Fort Huachuca]]) (20%), with much of the rest being private land (32%). Sierra Vista is the main population center (43,888 inhabitants as of the 2010 Census).
The '''Huachuca Mountains''' are part of the Sierra Vista Ranger District of the [[Coronado National Forest]] in [[Cochise County, Arizona|Cochise County]] in southeastern [[Arizona]], approximately {{convert|70|mi|km}} south-southeast of [[Tucson]] and southwest of the city of [[Sierra Vista]]. Included in this area is the highest peak in the Huachucas, [[Miller Peak (Arizona)|Miller Peak]], and the region of the Huachucas known as [[Canelo Hills]] in eastern [[Santa Cruz County, Arizona|Santa Cruz County]]. The mountains range in elevation from {{convert|3934|ft|m|0}} at the base to {{convert|9466|ft|m|0}} at the top of [[Miller Peak (Arizona)|Miller Peak]]. The second highest peak in this range is [[Carr Peak]], elevation {{convert|9200|ft|m|0}}. The Huachuca Mountain area is managed principally by the [[United States Forest Service]] (Coronado National Forest) (41%) and the [[U.S. Army]] ([[Fort Huachuca]]) (20%), with much of the rest being private land (32%). Sierra Vista is the main population center (43,888 inhabitants as of the 2010 Census).


The Huachuca Mountains were named by the Spanish for a [[Pima people|Pima]] village that once existed to the north of the range near the present location of [[Elgin, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fr. Eusebio Kino's Visits to the San Pedro River |publisher=Saguaro Juniper Corporation |url=http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/history/early_history/fr_kino_visits.html |access-date=October 29, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Rim of Christendom: a biography of Eusebio Francisco Kino, Pacific coast pioneer |author= Herbert Eugene Bolton |page=269 |publisher= University of Arizona Press |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-8165-0863-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=doFuAAAAMAAJ |access-date=October 29, 2010 }}</ref> The [[Coronado National Memorial]] is in the southeastern margin of the range near the [[Mexico–United States border]] and includes [[Montezuma Pass]], where [[Francisco Vázquez de Coronado]] entered what is now Arizona in 1540. The range extends a short distance south of the border in [[Sonora]], [[Mexico]].
The Huachuca Mountains were named by the Spanish for a [[Pima people|Pima]] village that once existed to the north of the range near the present location of [[Elgin, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fr. Eusebio Kino's Visits to the San Pedro River |publisher=Saguaro Juniper Corporation |url=http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/history/early_history/fr_kino_visits.html |access-date=October 29, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Rim of Christendom: a biography of Eusebio Francisco Kino, Pacific coast pioneer |author= Herbert Eugene Bolton |page=269 |publisher= University of Arizona Press |year=1984 |isbn=978-0-8165-0863-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=doFuAAAAMAAJ |access-date=October 29, 2010 }}</ref> [[Coronado National Memorial]] is in the southeastern margin of the range near the [[Mexico–United States border]] and includes [[Montezuma Pass]], a possible entry point of [[Francisco Vázquez de Coronado]] into what is now Arizona in 1540. The range extends a short distance south of the border in [[Sonora]], [[Mexico]].


==Vegetation==
==Vegetation==
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==Hiking the mountains==
==Hiking the mountains==
The Huachucas present many hiking possibilities and scenic drives. Some entail narrow dirt roads with switchbacks and pull-outs. High summits, sheer cliffs, and deep canyons distinguish this rugged area of {{convert|20190|acre|km2}}. Trails climb from all sides of the range to the [[Miller Peak (Arizona)|Miller Peak Wilderness]]. Along the trails there are opportunities to see a number of rare butterflies of Arizona (see [[List of butterflies and moths of Arizona]]), as well as plants that are more commonly found in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Trails begin on the east side of Ash Canyon, Miller Canyon, Carr Canyon, and Ramsey Canyon Roads, from the south at Montezuma Pass in the [[Coronado National Memorial]], and from the west via Oversite trail, Ida, Bear, and Sunnyside Canyons. The {{convert|11.5|mi|km|adj=on}} Crest Trail between Montezuma Pass and Fort Huachuca ties all of the trails together. There are some 50 trails altogether. [http://www.sahcinfo.org/PDF/huachuca.pdf] Trail users may encounter immigrants on the mountain trails; no negative incidents have ever been reported by Arizona Trail Association users.<ref>[http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_01.html AZTrail.org]</ref> The mountains include the type locality for a number of plant species collected by the Lemmons and named by [[Asa Gray]].
The Huachucas present many hiking possibilities and scenic drives. Some entail narrow dirt roads with switchbacks and pull-outs. High summits, sheer cliffs, and deep canyons distinguish this rugged area of {{convert|20190|acre|km2}}. Trails climb from all sides of the range to the [[Miller Peak (Arizona)|Miller Peak Wilderness]]. Along the trails there are opportunities to see a number of rare butterflies of Arizona (see [[List of butterflies and moths of Arizona]]), as well as plants that are more commonly found in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Trails begin on the east side of Ash Canyon, Miller Canyon, Carr Canyon, and Ramsey Canyon Roads, from the south at Montezuma Pass in [[Coronado National Memorial]], and from the west via Oversite trail, Ida, Bear, and Sunnyside Canyons. The {{convert|11.5|mi|km|adj=on}} Crest Trail between Montezuma Pass and Fort Huachuca ties all of the trails together. There are some 50 trails altogether. [http://www.sahcinfo.org/PDF/huachuca.pdf] Trail users may encounter immigrants on the mountain trails; no negative incidents have ever been reported by Arizona Trail Association users.<ref>[http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_01.html AZTrail.org]</ref> The mountains include the type locality for a number of plant species collected by the Lemmons and named by [[Asa Gray]].


==Birdwatching==
==Birdwatching==
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==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed>
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Montezumapass2.JPG|View from Montezuma Pass looking south & west into Mexico
File:Montezumapass2.JPG|View from Montezuma Pass looking south & west into Mexico
File:Montezumapass.JPG|View from Montezuma Pass looking east
File:Montezumapass.JPG|View from Montezuma Pass looking east

Revision as of 19:27, 15 May 2022

Huachuca Mountains
View from Miller Wilderness area of the Huachuca Mountains
Highest point
PeakMiller Peak (Arizona)
Elevation9,466 ft (2,885 m)
Dimensions
Length38 mi (61 km) North to South
Width34 mi (55 km) East to West Extent includes low land hills and valleys[1]
Area755 sq mi (1,960 km2)
Geography
Huachuca Mountains is located in Arizona
Huachuca Mountains
Huachuca Mountains
CountryUnited States
StateArizona
RegionMadrean Sky Islands
DistrictCochise County
Range coordinates31°24′N 110°18′W / 31.400°N 110.300°W / 31.400; -110.300
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Huachuca Mountains.

The Huachuca Mountains are part of the Sierra Vista Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest in Cochise County in southeastern Arizona, approximately 70 miles (110 km) south-southeast of Tucson and southwest of the city of Sierra Vista. Included in this area is the highest peak in the Huachucas, Miller Peak, and the region of the Huachucas known as Canelo Hills in eastern Santa Cruz County. The mountains range in elevation from 3,934 feet (1,199 m) at the base to 9,466 feet (2,885 m) at the top of Miller Peak. The second highest peak in this range is Carr Peak, elevation 9,200 feet (2,804 m). The Huachuca Mountain area is managed principally by the United States Forest Service (Coronado National Forest) (41%) and the U.S. Army (Fort Huachuca) (20%), with much of the rest being private land (32%). Sierra Vista is the main population center (43,888 inhabitants as of the 2010 Census).

The Huachuca Mountains were named by the Spanish for a Pima village that once existed to the north of the range near the present location of Elgin, Arizona.[2][3] Coronado National Memorial is in the southeastern margin of the range near the Mexico–United States border and includes Montezuma Pass, a possible entry point of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado into what is now Arizona in 1540. The range extends a short distance south of the border in Sonora, Mexico.

Vegetation

Vegetation in the Huachucas varies from Chihuahua whitethorn scrub and semi-desert mixed grass/mixed scrub, at the lower elevations, to Encinal mixed oak, and transitions to ponderosa pine and Apache pine at the highest elevations.

Climate data

  • Average precipitation: 20" on peaks; 15" at base
  • Average high/low winter temperatures (°F): 35/20 on peaks; 60/35 at base
  • Average high/low summer temperatures (°F): 75/50 on peaks; 95/65 at base [4]

Hiking the mountains

The Huachucas present many hiking possibilities and scenic drives. Some entail narrow dirt roads with switchbacks and pull-outs. High summits, sheer cliffs, and deep canyons distinguish this rugged area of 20,190 acres (81.7 km2). Trails climb from all sides of the range to the Miller Peak Wilderness. Along the trails there are opportunities to see a number of rare butterflies of Arizona (see List of butterflies and moths of Arizona), as well as plants that are more commonly found in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Trails begin on the east side of Ash Canyon, Miller Canyon, Carr Canyon, and Ramsey Canyon Roads, from the south at Montezuma Pass in Coronado National Memorial, and from the west via Oversite trail, Ida, Bear, and Sunnyside Canyons. The 11.5-mile (18.5 km) Crest Trail between Montezuma Pass and Fort Huachuca ties all of the trails together. There are some 50 trails altogether. [1] Trail users may encounter immigrants on the mountain trails; no negative incidents have ever been reported by Arizona Trail Association users.[5] The mountains include the type locality for a number of plant species collected by the Lemmons and named by Asa Gray.

Birdwatching

This area is appreciated for its birdwatching opportunities including some Arizona specialties such as hummingbirds, trogons, and tyrant flycatchers, including some rare birds such as the blue-throated, white-eared, and berylline hummingbirds; also buff-breasted flycatchers; and black-throated gray, red-faced, and Grace's warblers; also red crossbills and numerous other bird species.

  • View from Montezuma Pass looking south & west into Mexico
    View from Montezuma Pass looking south & west into Mexico
  • View from Montezuma Pass looking east
    View from Montezuma Pass looking east
  • The Huachuca Mountains, as seen from across San Rafael Valley in the Patagonia Mountains
    The Huachuca Mountains, as seen from across San Rafael Valley in the Patagonia Mountains
  • Northern portion of the Huachuca Mountains in the winter
    Northern portion of the Huachuca Mountains in the winter
  • Miller Canyon
    Miller Canyon
  • View of Carr Peak (middle left) and Ramsey Peak (right) in the Huachuca Mountains
    View of Carr Peak (middle left) and Ramsey Peak (right) in the Huachuca Mountains
  • View of Hereford from inside of Miller Canyon
    View of Hereford from inside of Miller Canyon

References

  1. ^ Peakbagger.com
  2. ^ "Fr. Eusebio Kino's Visits to the San Pedro River". Saguaro Juniper Corporation. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  3. ^ Herbert Eugene Bolton (1984). Rim of Christendom: a biography of Eusebio Francisco Kino, Pacific coast pioneer. University of Arizona Press. p. 269. ISBN 978-0-8165-0863-1. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  4. ^ "WildFire Alternatives, Huachuca Study Area". Archived from the original on 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  5. ^ AZTrail.org
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