Dennis Ernst
Well-Known Member
It's been pretty cold for Arizona this year but on Saturday, December 24th we decided to take a short hike at Madera Canyon in the San Rita's mountains. Here is a little information on this place from the Friends of Madera Canyon's web page:
With lofty mountain peaks, forested slopes, seasonal streams, and an amazing variety of plants and wildlife, Madera Canyon has become a popular recreational destination. Madera's hiking trails are applauded throughout the Southwest, and vary from paved, handicap-accessible trails and gentle walking paths in the lower canyon, to steep, expert trails leading to the top of 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson.
Southeastern Arizona, with Madera Canyon at its heart, is rated the third best birding destination in the United States. With fifteen species of hummingbirds, Elegant Trogon, Sulphur-bellied Flycatcher, Black-capped Gnatcatcher, Flame-colored Tanager, 36 species of wood warblers, and over 256 species of birds documented, it is a "required" site for all serious birders.
It is unusual to spend any time in Madera Canyon without seeing signs of wildlife. White-tailed and Mule Deer, rabbits, Wild Turkeys, and squirrels are regularly observed. Other animals like Black Bear, Coati, foxes, Ring-tailed Cats, Raccoons, Bobcats, and Mountain Lion are more shy and only occasionally seen. Sixteen species of bats have been recorded in the Canyon.
Because Madera Canyon and Madera Creek traverse four life zones and many habitats between the desert floor and the mountaintops, the Santa Rita Mountains in which Madera Canyon resides, has become a world-famous sky island known for its unique and abundant flora and fauna - from Prickly-Pear cactus in the lower Canyon to Douglas Fir and Quaking Aspen on Mt. Wrightson.
We didn't have a lot of time so we started our hike just below the lodge and hiked to the upper parking lot. This is about a 3-mile, one way, hike that begins alone Madera Creek then leaves the creek and zig-zags up a ridge before connecting to the upper parking area. There are many miles of trail in the park but this was a nice short hike that offered some good variety and wouldn't take us above the snow line.
Here is just a little dab of what we saw:
Enjoy the hike!
Dennis
