- Huachuca Mountains
The Huachuca Mountain range (from the
Apache word for "Thunder") is part of the Sierra Vista Ranger District of theCoronado National Forest . The Huachuca Mountains are located approximately 70 miles south-southeast ofTucson ,Arizona and directly west of the city ofSierra Vista , Arizona. Included in this area is the highest peak in the Huachucas,Miller Peak , and the region of the Huachucas known asCanelo Hills . The mountains range in elevation from convert|3934|ft|m|0 at the base to convert|9455|ft|m|0 at the top ofMiller Peak . The second highest peak in this range isCarr Mountain , elevation convert|9200|ft|m|0. The Huachuca Mountain area is owned principally by theUSDA Forest Service (Coronado National Forest) (41%), theU.S. Army (Fort Huachuca ) (20%), and private land (32%).Sierra Vista is the main population center (37,775 inhabitants as of 2000 Census).Vegetation in the Huachucas varies from
Chihuahua Whitethorn scrub and semi-desert mixed grass/mixed scrub, at the lowerelevations, toEncinal mixed oak, and transitions toPonderosa Pine at the highest elevations.* 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 [ [http://walter.arizona.edu/overview/study_areas/huachuca.asp] -WildFire Alternatives, Huachuca Study Area]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. 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 Coronado National Memorial, and from the west via Oversite trail, Ida, Bear, and Sunnyside Canyons. The 11.5-mile 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 [ [http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_01.html] -aztrail.org]Birdwatching
This area is appreciated for its birdwatching opportunities including some Arizona specialties such
hummingbirds ,trogons , andflycatchers , including some rare birds such as the "Blue-throated Hummingbird ", "White-eared Lucifer" and "Berylline Hummingbird s", "Buff-breasted Flycatcher s", "Black-throated Gray Warbler ", "Red-faced" and "Grace's Warbler s", "Red Crossbill s", and others.External References; [http://walter.arizona.edu/overview/study_areas/huachuca.asp University of Arizona, WildFire Alternatives, Huachuca Study Area] : ; [http://www.arizonahandbook.com/huachuca.htm Arizona Handbook, The Cochise Trail] : ; [http://www.peakbagger.com/range.aspx?rid=135318 Peakbagger, The Huachuca Mountains] : ; [http://www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/onLoc/onLocDirs/BB_HUAC_01/ Virtual Birder, The Huachuca Mountains] : ; [http://www.sahcinfo.org/PDF/huachuca.pdf Southern Arizona Hiking Club, Huachuca Trail Segments] :
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