Sierra Vista - High Desert
Scenery
The town of Sierra Vista is a fast-growing growing
community, located close to the Mexcan border, and high
enough in the high desert and the Huachucha Mountains to
make for pleasant temperatures. It has become a popular
retirement community. On top of that, It is in the midst
of national forests and lots of wildlife.
The Nature Conservancy's Ramsey Canyon
Preserve has to be the finest place for viewing
hummingbirds on the continent. More than 160 bird
species including 14 hummingbirds have been identified
here, to say nothing of the other bird varieties
available here and in the nearby lowland San Pedro
riparian areas. Sierra Vista has a full range of motel
andbed and breakfast accommodations, plus 30 restaurants
and other services to travelers.
What to See & Do
Ramsey Canyon Preserve
While the preserve is best known as a
birding spot -- with an emphasis on hummingbirds -- it is
also home to an amazing variety of plants including
wildflowers, mountain mosses and fir trees: more than 400
plant species in all. There is also a full slate of
animal life from spiny and alligator lizards, to bats,
butterflies, leopard frogs, coatimundi, javalina, rock
squirrels and opossums.
The main birding attraction, hummingbirds,
arrive starting in late March. By mid-August, the peak
hummingbird population is in place, including
broad-tailed, broad-billed, white-eared, beryline,
violet-crowned, blue-throated, rufous, magnificent,
Lucifer, Anna's, Allen's black-chinned, and Costa's
hummingbirds. Most leave before October, with a few
stragglers hanging on for a few more weeks. Meanwhile,
this is also a year-round birding destination, with
raptors including golden eagles and hawks, warblers,
flycatchers, sapsuckers and juncos arriving in season.
The Hamburg Trail leads from the visitor
center to a scenic overlook (one mile) and beyond, into
the Coronado National Forest. Guided tours are given on a
seasonal basis.
With the guest cabins now removed, the
nearest accommodations are at the Ramsey Canyon B&B,
whih is immediately adjacent to the preserve. The inn has
six rooms, plus two separate housekeeping apartments with
kitchens. There are well appointed accommodations in
Sierra Vista.
A wise thing to do when beginning a visit
to Ramsey Canyon is to stop at the visitor center and the
well-stocked bookstore. Here you will find nature field
guides and interpretive materials from around the world,
as well as information on the flora and fauna of Ramsey
Canyon. The capacity of the preserve is limited. Thus, it
is necessary to secure a parking permit for weekend and
holiday visits. Weekday parking is available on a first
come, first served basis. RVs over 18 feet are not
permitted in the parking area. Visitors are asked to
donate $5 upon entering the preserve -- a small sum for
such a superb experience. For information, call the
preserve at (520) 378-2785.
Madera Canyon
Located in the Santa Rita Mountains west of
Sierra Vista, this area, famed for broad-billed
hummingbirds, is reached from Interstate 19 (the freeway
from Tucson to Nogales), from Green Valley by taking a
sideroad, or by taking the unpaved Greaterville Road from
State Highway 83, south of I-10.
The same hummingbird species seen in Ramsey
Canyon are seen here, along with other birds including
elf owls. Other species including the elegant trogon are
found in the canyon. At a higher altitude, a trail leads
from the upper picnic area offers more good birding,
including possible sighting of the flammulated owl.
Carr Canyon
East of Sierra Vista, in the Coronado
National Forest, Carr Canyon offers camping with
picnicking amongst many birds. This is among the very few
places in the southeast where one may camp at a prime
birding site. The two campgrounds here, Reef Townsite and
Ramsey Vista, offer good birding. Trails lead into the
Miller Wilderness Area in the national forest. This is
where the bird watching gets really interesting. The
buffbreasted flycatcher is often spotted here, in
addition to other high altitude species, among them the
red crossbill, red-faced warbler, yellow-eyed junco,
pygmy nuthatch and Stellar's jay. There are several
trails leading from the two campgrounds, including the
Comfort Springs Trail. A good thing to remember is that
only the lower campground has water.
To get there, drive south from Sierra Vista on State
Highway 92. Turn west onto Carr Canyon Road and drive
along this road for 8.5 miles. It's a narrow, curving
road, a thrill to drive, heartstopping to some, but it
will get you there.
