Ramsey Canyon is home to the Ramsey Canyon Preserve which is run by the Nature Conservancy. This beautiful canyon in southeastern Arizona is known as a hotspot for birdwatchers. It also is home to lots of trails that access the National Forest that is adjacent to the preserve.
The canyon is situated in the Huachuca Mountains, which provides a cooler climate than the surrounding desert regions. We not only enjoyed birdwatching in this canyon but we also took on a popular trail called the Hamburg Trail. This trail is a 2.5-mile round trip hike that goes to the top of Hamburg Peak and back.
The trail is rated as moderate to difficult, with steep switchbacks and rocky terrain. And let us tell you this is an accurate description. The trail seemingly goes straight up for an extended period which made us breath heavily all the way to the top.
However, this cardio rich hike ends at the top of the peak. From here we were able to enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. During our hike we were also treated to lots of birds both in the wild and on the various feeders scattered throughout the preserve.
Another place we visited was the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The area contains 57,000 acres and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The conservation area is known for its diverse wildlife and vegetation and as such we enjoyed hiking and birding some of their trails.
We even spotted one elusive creature we would just as soon never see. A large 5-plus foot diamondback rattlesnake was also enjoying the river as we spotted it getting a drink from the rivers edge. This was a big one that had been living in this riparian zone for some time. We gave it plenty of room and as we left we warned several other hikers of its location.
The San Pedro River is the centerpiece of the conservation area and provides a migratory corridor for many bird species. The banks of the river are also home to towering Arizona cypress trees which are nice as they provide shade for us hikers trying to escape the heat. It really is a nice place to hike in a riparian zone and check out the birds there.
Lastly, before leaving this area and moving over to New Mexico we had to pay one last visit to Bisbee, the quaint mining town about an hours drive away from us. We have visited this town before but always love walking around this cool but very hilly tow. With one last cold beer from the brewery we bring our stay in Sierra Vista to a close.
Does the Nature Preserve put out the bird feeders? It's a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteI saw a snake slowly crossing the road in Anza Borrego, not a lot of traffic but we all stopped and watched.
Yes, the nature preserve puts out hummingbird feeders.
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