Santa Rita Mountain Vistas~Near Sonoita and Patagonia, So. AZ

Huachuca Mountains in the far background.

Lone Oak on a Hillside.

Mt. Wrightson Vista.

Agave with Mt. Wrightson in the background.

Arizona Sycamore along side a country road.

Oaks and Arizona Sycamores.

Winter campfire.

Juniper Flats near Bisbee, AZ. 12-11-10.

Hike:Ash Spring Trail~Bassett Peak Trail:Galiuro Mountains.

Take I-10 to Wilcox, exit Fort Grant Road (Exit 340). Take Fort Grant Road for several miles to Ash Creek Road (Landmark: Greenhouses on the south side of Ash Creek Road). Drive west on Ash Creek Road for approximately 15 miles and take a left onto Forest Service Road #660 (Landmark: Look for the Coronado Forest sign: The second photo on this post.) Drive 2 to 2.5 miles on FS 660 until you reach the sign, “East Divide Trail No. 287.” (The first photo on this post).
The sign is as good a place as any to begin. At a minimum, you will need a high clearance vehicle to get to the sign. Find a pull off near there and begin your hike. You will have at least two hiking options.
1. Ash Spring. Ash Spring is 2.8 miles one way. For most of the time, you will be walking along the North Fork of Ash Creek. Toward the end of the hike you will climb through an area thick with maple trees, and as you arrive at the Spring, you will be treated to a cluster of rare, low elevation Aspens surrounding the Spring. This is a moderate and enjoyable day hike.
Total miles round trip: 5.6 miles.
2. Bassett Peak Trail. This is another 2.5 miles or so from Ash Spring. Total Miles round trip: approximately 11 miles.


Coronado National Forest Sign at Turnoff.


Early Fall Wildflowers.

View of Graham Mountains from Bassett Peak Trail.

A Tree With No Roots?

View of Aspen Cluster from Bassett Peak Trail.

Manzanita.

Water in Ash Creek.

Fallen timber. Just off the Bassett Peak Trail.

Maple Reds.

Ash Creek Trail~Graham Mountians, AZ