Pajarito Mountains (Arizona) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pajarito Mountains |
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Looking west towards the Pajarito Mountains from Nogales, Arizona. The international border between the U.S. and Mexico crosses the mountains.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Pajarito Peak |
| Elevation | 4,629 ft (1,411 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 6 mi (9.7 km) N-S |
| Width | 12 mi (19 km) E-W |
| Geography | |
 Pajarito Mountains
Location in Arizona
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| Country | United States, Mexico |
The Pajarito Mountains are a small mountain range. They are located in western Santa Cruz County, Arizona, in the United States. These mountains also stretch south into Sonora, Mexico.
The Pajarito Mountains are next to the Atascosa Mountains to their north. Both ranges are part of a group of mountains called the Tumacacori Highlands. This group includes the Tumacacori Mountains in the north. South of the U.S.-Mexico border, you'll find the Sierra La Esmeralda range, also known as the Emerald Mountains.
The Tumacacori Highlands are important for wildlife. They are part of a study called Cuatro Gatos, which means "Four Cats." This study looks at how wild cats like mountain lions, ocelots, bobcats, and jaguars move through the area.
Other nearby mountains are also part of the Highlands. These include the Cerro Colorado Mountains to the northwest and the San Luis Mountains to the west. The Pajarita Wilderness is located west of the Pajarito Mountains. East of the Highlands is the Santa Cruz River Valley.
Contents
Mountain Features
The tallest point in the Pajarito Mountains is Pajarito Peak. It stands at 5,236 feet (1,596 m) high. This peak is south of Peña Blanca Lake. It is where some streams begin that flow into Calabasas and Pesquiera Canyons.
In the western part of the range, near the Pajarita Wilderness, there is a water divide. This means some water flows south into northern Sonora, Mexico. Other water flows northeast to the Santa Cruz River or northwest to the Altar Valley.
Cobre Ridge is in the northwest and connects to the San Luis Mountains. Peaks in Cobre Ridge include Black Peak, which is 5,086 feet (1,550 m) high. Other peaks are Cobre Mountain, Bartlett Mountain (4,107 feet (1,252 m)), and Flat Top Mountain (4,222 feet (1,287 m)). These are west of the Pajarita Wilderness.
The cities of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, are at the eastern base of these mountains. They are in the upper part of the Santa Cruz River Valley. This area is also along the I-19 highway.
Peña Blanca Lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities. It's about 8 miles from I-19 on Ruby Road. Ruby Road continues for about 25 miles, often on unpaved surfaces. It goes through the mountains to the area of Ruby, Arizona, which is a ghost town. The road then loops back to I-19.
Outdoor Activities and Wildlife
Two popular trails in the Pajarito Mountains are the Atascosa Lookout and the Sycamore Canyon Trail. The Sycamore Canyon Trail is named for the Arizona sycamore tree (Platanus wrightii).
This region is part of the Madrean Sky Islands. These are like "sky islands" because they are isolated mountains surrounded by lower desert areas. This makes them special places for birdwatching. Many bird species that live further south in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains can be found here. One example is the beautiful elegant trogon.
The highest peak, Pajarito Peak, is located at 31°21′38″N 111°05′13″W / 31.36056°N 111.08694°W.
The Tumacacori Highlands Mountains
The Tumacacori Highlands are a group of connected mountain ranges. They are in western Santa Cruz County, Arizona. These Highlands are northwest of Nogales. To their east is the Santa Cruz River Valley, where Interstate 19 runs north and south.
Across the valley to the east are the tall Santa Rita Mountains. Also to the east are the smaller San Cayetano Mountains, near Nogales.
The mountains in the Tumacacori Highlands, listed from north to south, are:
- Tumacacori Mountains
- Peck Canyon (with Peck Canyon Road)
- Atascosa Mountains (about 6 miles by 9 miles)
- Ruby Road (which leads to Ruby, Arizona) and Peña Blanca Lake
- Pajarito Mountains
- Mexico-Arizona border
- Sierra La Esmeralda (also called the Emerald Mountains)
A part of Santa Cruz County, shaped like a "bootheel," extends southwest. This area includes Cobre Ridge. It connects northwest to the San Luis Mountains. These mountains are in the southeast of the Altar Valley and border the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.
Historical mission communities are found at Tumacacori National Historical Park. These are located in Tumacacori, at the southeastern base of the Tumacacori Mountains.
See also
In Spanish: Sierra del Pajarito para niños
