Gates Pass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gates Pass |
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Saguaro at Gates Pass
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| Elevation | 3,169 ft (966 m) |
| Traversed by | Gates Pass Road |
| Location |  Arizona United States |
| Range | Tucson Mountains |
| Coordinates | 32°13′20″N 111°06′03″W / 32.2222985°N 111.10093°W |
| Topo map | USGS Cat Mountain |
 Location in Arizona
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Gates Pass is a beautiful mountain pass in the Tucson Mountains of Arizona. It's a special road west of Tucson, Arizona that offers amazing views. Many people visit to see the stunning sunsets! The pass is quite high up, reaching about 3,172 feet (967 meters) above sea level. It's a popular spot for both people who live nearby and visitors to enjoy nature's beauty.
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The Story of Gates Pass
Who Built Gates Pass?
The story of Gates Pass began in 1883. A local pioneer named Thomas Gates wanted to find a quicker way through the Tucson Mountains. He bought the land and started building this road. Thomas Gates was a rancher and owned a saloon. He helped create this important shortcut.
Gates Pass in the News
Gates Pass has been mentioned in local news. For example, it was featured in a popular newspaper series called "Street Smarts" in the Arizona Daily Star on January 1, 2013. This shows how important and well-known the pass is in the area.
Exploring Gates Pass
What Can You See?
The road through Gates Pass is known as a scenic route. This means it's a special road with lots of beautiful sights. As you drive, you'll find many scenic overlooks. These are perfect spots to stop and take in the amazing desert landscape. You can often see giant Saguaro cacti and other unique plants.
Watching the Sunset
One of the most popular activities at Gates Pass is watching the sunset. People come from all over to see the sky light up with incredible colors as the sun goes down over the mountains. It's a truly magical experience!
Keeping Gates Pass Safe
Road Improvements
For a while, Gates Pass was known as a challenging road to drive. There were many traffic accidents reported between 1996 and 2001. Because of this, a big project started in late 2005 to make the road safer. Workers widened parts of the road and made other improvements. The road was temporarily closed during this time.
A Top Road Project
The safety project at Gates Pass was a huge success! In 2006, it was even named the third best road project in the entire country by Roads and Bridges Magazine. This shows how much effort went into making Gates Pass a safer and more enjoyable place for everyone.
