Swisshelm Mountains
Encyclopedia
The Swisshelm Mountains are a small mountain range adjacent to the southwest corner of the Chiricahua Mountains
of eastern Cochise County
, Arizona
. They are separated from the Pedrogosa Mountains to the southeast, the Chiricahua's to the northeast, and by Leslie Creek, bordering the south and east; the area is now notable for the Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
.
The mountain range is named for John Swisshelm, a miner, a local settler of the late 1900s.
Leslie Creek forms the eastern and southern border of the Swisshelm Mountains. The Chiricahua's are directly adjacent eastwards; the Pedregosa Mountains are southeast and are drained by a tributary of Leslie Creek, Big Bend Creek.
The communities of Elfrida and McNeal are directly west of the Swisshelm's in the Sulphur Springs Valley
; Douglas
and Agua Prieta
, Sonora
are due south at about 15 miles (24 km). The historical area of Sunizona, Arizona is northwest-(Pearce, Arizona
).
Geology
Chiricahua Mountains
The Chiricahua Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern Arizona which are part of the Basin and Range province of the southwest, and part of the Coronado National Forest...
of eastern Cochise County
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:...
, 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...
. They are separated from the Pedrogosa Mountains to the southeast, the Chiricahua's to the northeast, and by Leslie Creek, bordering the south and east; the area is now notable for the Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge
The Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge area was established in 1988 to protect habitat for the endangered Yaqui Chub and Yaqui Topminnow...
.
The mountain range is named for John Swisshelm, a miner, a local settler of the late 1900s.
Range
The range is a north-south range, with three notable peaks. In the south, Swisshelm Mountain is the highest at 7185 feet (2,190 m). In the north, an unnamed peak is 5225 ft, and is adjacent to Whitewater Draw of the lower stretch of Rucker Creek. A second unnamed peak is in the northeast, at 5847 ft and also adjacent to Rucker Creek.Leslie Creek forms the eastern and southern border of the Swisshelm Mountains. The Chiricahua's are directly adjacent eastwards; the Pedregosa Mountains are southeast and are drained by a tributary of Leslie Creek, Big Bend Creek.
The communities of Elfrida and McNeal are directly west of the Swisshelm's in the Sulphur Springs Valley
Sulphur Springs Valley
The Sulphur Springs Valley is a major valley in the eastern half of Cochise County, Arizona. The valley covers an approximated vertical rectangle west of the Chiricahua Mountains–Dos Cabezas Mountains complex; the Chiricahua's have a valley to the northeast, San Simon Valley, and to the southeast,...
; Douglas
Douglas, Arizona
Douglas is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Douglas has a border crossing with Mexico and a history of mining.The population was 14,312 at the 2000 census...
and Agua Prieta
Agua Prieta
Agua Prieta is a pueblo and municipality in the northeastern corner of the Mexican state of Sonora . It stands on the U.S.–Mexico border, adjacent to the town of Douglas, Arizona, USA. The municipality covers an area of 3,631.65 km²...
, 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....
are due south at about 15 miles (24 km). The historical area of Sunizona, Arizona is northwest-(Pearce, Arizona
Pearce, Arizona
Pearce, Arizona and Sunsites, Arizona are adjacent unincorporated communities in the Sulphur Springs Valley of Cochise County, Arizona, United States. The two communities are referred to as Pearce-Sunsites, Pearce/Sunsites, or Pearce Sunsites. Pearce is best known as a historic ghost town...
).
See also
- Chiricahua MountainsChiricahua MountainsThe Chiricahua Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern Arizona which are part of the Basin and Range province of the southwest, and part of the Coronado National Forest...
- Leslie Canyon National Wildlife RefugeLeslie Canyon National Wildlife RefugeThe Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge area was established in 1988 to protect habitat for the endangered Yaqui Chub and Yaqui Topminnow...
- List of Madrean Sky Island mountain ranges - Sonoran - Chihuahuan Deserts
External links
Geology