Huachuca Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Huachuca Mountain range is part of the Sierra Vista Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest
. The Huachuca Mountains are located in Cochise County, Arizona
approximately 70 miles (112.7 km) south-southeast of Tucson and southwest of the city of Sierra Vista, Arizona. 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 3934 feet (1,199 m) at the base to 9466 feet (2,885 m) at the top of Miller Peak. The second highest peak in this range is Carr Peak
, elevation 9200 feet (2,804 m). The Huachuca Mountain area is owned principally by the USDA Forest Service (Coronado National Forest) (41%), the U.S. Army (Fort Huachuca
) (20%), and private land (32%). Sierra Vista is the main population center (41,908 inhabitants as of 2005 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
.
The Coronado National Memorial
is in the southeastern margin of the range near the international border. The range extends a short distance south of the border in Sonora
, Mexico
.
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.
, and from the west via Oversite trail, Ida, Bear, and Sunnyside Canyons. The 11.5 miles (18.5 km) 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 These mountain trails are also a main migration route for illegal immigrants from Mexico
, White-eared
, and Berylline
Hummingbird
s; also Buff-breasted Flycatcher
s; and Black-throated Gray
, Red-faced
, and Grace's
Warbler
s; also the Red Crossbills and numerous other bird species.
Coronado National Forest
The Coronado National Forest includes an area of about 1.78 million acres spread throughout mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico....
. The Huachuca Mountains are located in Cochise County, Arizona
Cochise County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*78.5% White*4.2% Black*1.2% Native American*1.9% Asian*0.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.0% Two or more races*9.6% Other races*32.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
approximately 70 miles (112.7 km) south-southeast of Tucson and southwest of the city of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Included in this area is the highest peak in the Huachucas, Miller Peak, and the region of the Huachucas known as Canelo Hills
Canelo Hills
The Canelo Hills Cienega Reserve, is a nature preserve southeast of Sonoita, Arizona on the east side of the Canelo Hills. The area's are a mix of rare cienega wetland and Black Oak and Arizona Fescue fields. The preserve is notable for the extremely rare Canelo Ladies Tresses Orchid and the...
in eastern Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.5% White*0.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*22.9% Other races*82.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. The mountains range in elevation from 3934 feet (1,199 m) at the base to 9466 feet (2,885 m) at the top of Miller Peak. The second highest peak in this range is Carr Peak
Carr Peak
At 9,236 ft. , Carr Peak is the third-highest mountain in Cochise County, Arizona and is located in the Huachuca Mountains...
, elevation 9200 feet (2,804 m). The Huachuca Mountain area is owned principally by the USDA Forest Service (Coronado National Forest) (41%), the U.S. Army (Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca is a United States Army installation under the command of the United States Army Installation Management Command. It is located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about north of the border with Mexico. Beginning in 1913, for 20 years the fort was the base for the "Buffalo...
) (20%), and private land (32%). Sierra Vista is the main population center (41,908 inhabitants as of 2005 Census).
The Huachuca Mountains were named by the Spanish for a Pima
Pima
The Pima are a group of American Indians living in an area consisting of what is now central and southern Arizona. The long name, "Akimel O'odham", means "river people". They are closely related to the Tohono O'odham and the Hia C-ed O'odham...
village that once existed to the north of the range near the present location of Elgin, Arizona
Elgin, Arizona
Elgin is a census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. The population was 309 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Elgin is located at ....
.
The Coronado National Memorial
Coronado National Memorial
The Coronado National Memorial commemorates the first organized expedition into the Southwest by conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. The memorial is located in a natural setting on the international border on the southeast flank of the Huachuca Mountains south of Sierra Vista, Arizona...
is in the southeastern margin of the range near the international border. The range extends a short distance south of the border in Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Vegetation
Vegetation in the Huachucas varies from ChihuahuaChihuahuan Desert
The Chihuahuan Desert is a desert, and an ecoregion designation, that straddles the U.S.-Mexico border in the central and northern portions of the Mexican Plateau, bordered on the west by the extensive Sierra Madre Occidental range, and overlaying northern portions of the east range, the Sierra...
Whitethorn scrub and semi-desert mixed grass/mixed scrub, at the lower elevations, to Encinal
Encinal
Encinal may refer to:*Encinal, former name of Alameda, California*Encinal, New Mexico, a census-designated place in Cibola County, New Mexico, United States*Encinal, Texas, a city in La Salle County, Texas, United States...
mixed oak, and transitions to Ponderosa Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the Ponderosa Pine, Bull Pine, Blackjack Pine, or Western Yellow Pine, is a widespread and variable pine native to western North America. It was first described by David Douglas in 1826, from eastern Washington near present-day Spokane...
and Apache Pine
Apache Pine
Pinus engelmannii, commonly known as the Apache Pine, is a tree of Northern Mexico, in the Sierra Madre Occidental with its range extending a short distance into the United States in southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona...
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
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 20190 acres (81.7 km²). Trails climb from all sides of the range to the Miller Peak Wilderness. 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 MemorialCoronado National Memorial
The Coronado National Memorial commemorates the first organized expedition into the Southwest by conquistador Francisco Vásquez de Coronado. The memorial is located in a natural setting on the international border on the southeast flank of the Huachuca Mountains south of Sierra Vista, Arizona...
, and from the west via Oversite trail, Ida, Bear, and Sunnyside Canyons. The 11.5 miles (18.5 km) 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 These mountain trails are also a main migration route for illegal immigrants from Mexico
Birdwatching
This area is appreciated for its birdwatching opportunities including some Arizona specialties such as hummingbirds, trogons, and flycatchers, including some rare birds such as the Blue-throatedBlue-throated Hummingbird
The Blue-throated Mountaingem or Blue-Throated Hummingbird, Lampornis clemenciae, is a species of hummingbird, a member of the Trochilidae family of birds....
, White-eared
White-eared Hummingbird
The White-eared Hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis , is a medium-sized hummingbird. It is 9-10 cm long, and weighs approximately 3-4 g.- Overview :...
, and Berylline
Berylline Hummingbird
The Berylline Hummingbird, Amazilia beryllina, sometimes placed in the genus Saucerottia, is a medium-sized hummingbird. It is 8-10 cm long, and weighs 4-5 g.- Overview :...
Hummingbird
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
s; also Buff-breasted Flycatcher
Buff-breasted Flycatcher
The Buff-breasted Flycatcher, Empidonax fulvifrons, is a small insectivorous bird. It is the smallest Empidonax flycatcher, typically ranging from 11.5 to 13 cm in size....
s; and Black-throated Gray
Black-throated Gray Warbler
The Black-throated Gray Warbler is a songbird of the New World warbler family. It is 13 cm long and has black, grey, and white plumage. It breeds in western North America from British Columbia to New Mexico, and winters in Mexico and the southwestern United States...
, Red-faced
Red-faced Warbler
The Red-faced Warbler is a species of New World warbler.Mature Red-faced Warblers are small birds, 14 cm long. They are light gray on top with a white rump and a white underside. The face, neck, and upper breast are all bright red, while the crown and sides of the head are black...
, and Grace's
Grace's Warbler
Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae, is a small perching bird and a species of New World warbler.Grace's Warbler was discovered by Dr. Elliott Coues in the Rocky Mountains in 1864...
Warbler
New World warbler
The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are not related to the Old World warblers or the Australian warblers....
s; also the Red Crossbills and numerous other bird species.
External links
- Trails of the Huachucas. Agave Guides
- WildFire Alternatives, Huachuca Study Area. University of Arizona.
- The Cochise Trail. Arizona Handbook
- The Huachuca Mountains. Virtual Birder.
- Huachuca Trail Segments. Southern Arizona Hiking Club.