advertisement
8 May 2023
Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands are a unique classification of mountains that rise rapidly from valley floors toward the Sonoran Desert sky, making them one of the region’s most spectacular natural wonders.
These mountains, unofficially called “Sky Islands,” consist of 55 mountain ranges spanning Southern Arizona, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. These ranges are so high that they can host multiple habitats from base to peak.
After climbing the Sky Islands, you will find yourself in a brisk, pine-filled forest just an hour’s drive from the arid, saguaro-studded desert. This biodiversity makes these habitats attractive to wildlife, birds, and hiking and biking enthusiasts.
You can hike a portion of the 800-mile-long Arizona Trail, which goes from Arizona’s border with Mexico to the state’s border with Utah and passes through several Sky Islands along the way.
You can also go birdwatching in Ramsey Canyon, one of the most popular sites in Sierra Vista, to see the elusive elegant trogon.
Attend a Sky Island Alliance event and get involved in helping protect Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands and is a great way to get more immersive experiences.
Tucson’s Sky Islands comprise the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountain ranges. During the one-hour drive from the mountain’s base to its peak, listen to the Mt. Lemmon Science Tour app to discover fun facts and interesting tidbits about Sky Islands in Tucson.
Saguaro National Park East, below the Rincons, offers more than just saguaros as you bike, hike, or drive through the enormous national park.
Trails crisscross the Mule, Chiricahua, and Huachuca mountains, beckoning hikers and mountain bikers. While cool, damp canyons create some of the world’s most incredible biodiversity, and vertical monoliths challenge rock climbers. Wine grapes are grown alongside spicy chiltepin peppers and sweet pistachios. Forest canopies are home to jaguars, white-nosed coatis, and javelinas, while blue skies are home to elegant trogons and hummingbirds. If you’re visiting in the fall, you can delight in butterfly season!
The San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge in Douglas provides year-round habitat for various wildlife and offers world-class birding and wildlife-watching opportunities. Along the northward-flowing San Pedro River, the Refuge forms part of a migration superhighway through Cochise County. A wide variety of birds make season-long stops in the Huachucas and along the riparian areas of Cochise County because of its near-tropical climate. Ramsey Canyon Preserve, located just minutes from downtown Sierra Vista, is one of the country’s best birding spots.
Outlaws and Apaches used the mountains as hideouts, vantage points for the army, and cool retreats for city dwellers. The region was also home to Geronimo, General Pershing, Johnny Ringo, and the Earp brothers, who left indelible legends in the area. Today, the Sky Islands still attract visitors interested in exploring the historical sites and small towns that dot the region.
Patagonia and Bisbee, former mining towns, offer charming main streets dotted with local restaurants and bars for a nibble, a libation, and some local lore. A 20-mile drive along the Geronimo Trail outside Douglas gives visitors a glimpse into the life of John Slaughter, a former Texas Ranger and Cochise County sheriff who purchased the property in 1884 and built it into a thriving southwestern cattle ranch despite being harassed by Geronimo and his band during their crossing.
Many of the mines in southeast Arizona have closed, but the ranches are still in operation, run by the original families’ descendants. In Douglas, a border and former copper-mining town with a rich history, the stately Gadsden Hotel was built in 1907 for visiting mining company executives. It is also home to the first international airport in the United States.
Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands are some of the world’s most incredible destinations for biodiversity. With their diverse habitats, towering mountains, and rich history, they offer visitors endless adventures and unforgettable experiences. Whether hiking the Arizona Trail, birdwatching in Ramsey Canyon, or exploring the historical sites and small towns that dot the region, there is something for everyone in the Sky Islands. However, it’s important to remember that the Sky Islands are a fragile ecosystem that requires our protection and preservation. By respecting and caring for these unique mountains, we can ensure that future generations will be able to experience their majesty and beauty for years to come.
advertisement
Thinking about exploring Arizona caves? You’re in luck if you’re a spelunker! Several cave systems in Arizona are well-known and accessible to the public, offering a mix of guided tours and self-exploration: Kartchner Caverns – Famous for its preserved formations and extensive guided tours, Kartchner is a must-see for any visitor. Learn More » Peppersauce Cave – A favorite for more adventurous explorers, Peppersauce allows visitors to experience a raw and natural cave environment. Learn More » Colossal Cave – Located near Tucson, this cave provides both standard and advanced tours for those seeking a challenge. Learn More » Grand
Across the deserts, grasslands, and pine forests of Arizona and New Mexico, native predators once prowled: jaguars, wolves, and even grizzly bears once claimed Arizona as their home. Today, most of these species are gone, victims of hunting, habitat loss, and human expansion. But what if human intervention could remedy this? advertisement Jaguars Conservationists have long debated reintroducing jaguars into their historic range. Unlike some extinct or extirpated species, jaguars have garnered public fascination and broad support, making their comeback more politically and socially viable. Reintroducing jaguars wouldn’t just be a symbolic victory; it could help restore complex ecological interactions
Buying your first home can be exciting and a little nerve-wracking. For many buyers in Phoenix, Tucson, and the surrounding areas, one common concern is termites. If you’re house hunting, especially for older homes or condos built decades ago, termites are something you’ll likely encounter one day. advertisement Termites Are Common, Not Catastrophic In Phoenix and Tucson, termites are almost a given for older wood-constructed homes. Local homeowners joke that there are only two kinds of houses here: those that have had termites and those that will have termites. While the word “infestation” can sound alarming, a detected termite presence
The Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) is one of the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America and a symbol of both ecological resilience and conservation success. Once nearly extinct, this small gray wolf has become the focus of one of the most closely monitored wildlife recovery efforts in the United States. advertisement A Species on the Brink By the late 1970s, only seven Mexican gray wolves remained in captivity. Their disappearance from the wild was driven by habitat loss, hunting, and predator control programs. The survival of this subspecies depended entirely on careful intervention and breeding programs.
advertisement
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |