Pusch Ridge
Encyclopedia
Pusch Ridge is the most prominent feature in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area
of the Santa Catalina Mountains
, located in the Coronado National Forest
north of Tucson, Arizona
, in the United States
.
in the 1870s, and established the Steam Pump Ranch on the Cañada del Oro
near the base of the ridge in 1874 in what is now the town of Oro Valley
. Steam Pump Ranch was one of the largest cattle ranches in the Territory of Arizona. George Pusch also served as a state legislator and one of the delegates to the original Arizona Constitutional Convention in 1910.
in Arizona, none have been observed since 2005. Pusch Ridge is noted for dramatic ridges, deep canyons, and extensive biodiversity in elevation changes. Pusch Ridge also provides sweeping views of Oro Valley
to the west, and Tucson to the south.
Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area
Pusch Ridge Wilderness Area is a 56,430 acre wilderness area. It is located within the Coronado National Forest in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, Arizona, United States...
of the Santa Catalina Mountains
Santa Catalina Mountains
The Santa Catalina Mountains, commonly referred to as the Catalina Mountains, are located north, and northeast of Tucson, Arizona, United States, on Tucson's north perimeter. The mountain range is the most prominent in the Tucson area, with the highest average elevation...
, located in the Coronado National Forest
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....
north of Tucson, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
Pusch Ridge was named after pioneer George Pusch (1847–1921), who came to Arizona from GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in the 1870s, and established the Steam Pump Ranch on the Cañada del Oro
Cañada del Oro
The Cañada del Oro , is a primary watershed channel in the valley of Tucson, Arizona, USA. The word cañada has a tilde and is pronounced in Spanish; in English it is pronounced , not like the country of Canada....
near the base of the ridge in 1874 in what is now the town of Oro Valley
Oro Valley, Arizona
Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. According to a July 2008 estimate, the population of the town is 43,223, an increase from 29,700 in 2000 Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located north of Tucson,...
. Steam Pump Ranch was one of the largest cattle ranches in the Territory of Arizona. George Pusch also served as a state legislator and one of the delegates to the original Arizona Constitutional Convention in 1910.
Peaks
Pusch Ridge is primarily made up of three distinct peaks, including (from southwest to northeast in orientation) Pusch Peak, Bighorn Mountain, and Table Mountain. Pusch Peak is the westernmost point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, and rises in elevation over 2,000 feet to a peak elevation of 5,361 feet. Bighorn Mountain rises to an elevation of 5,633 feet at the summit. Table Mountain rises in elevation to 6,265 feet. A minor peak, known as the Cleaver, is located between Pusch Peak and Bighorn Mountain, rising to a summit of 4,910 feet.Wildlife/Environment
Pusch Ridge was home to one of the last populations of Desert Bighorn SheepDesert Bighorn Sheep
The Desert Bighorn Sheep is a subspecies of Bighorn Sheep that occurs in the desert Southwest regions of the United States and in the northern regions of Mexico. The trinomial of this species commemorates the American naturalist Edward William Nelson...
in Arizona, none have been observed since 2005. Pusch Ridge is noted for dramatic ridges, deep canyons, and extensive biodiversity in elevation changes. Pusch Ridge also provides sweeping views of Oro Valley
Oro Valley, Arizona
Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located north of Tucson, Arizona, USA in Pima County. According to a July 2008 estimate, the population of the town is 43,223, an increase from 29,700 in 2000 Oro Valley, incorporated in 1974, is a suburban town located north of Tucson,...
to the west, and Tucson to the south.