Santa Rita Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Santa Rita Mountains |
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View of the northern end of the Santa Ritas from the Santa Rita Experimental Range.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Wrightson |
| Elevation | 9,453 ft (2,881 m) |
| Geography | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Arizona |
| Region | Sonoran Desert |
| District | Tucson, AZ |
| Topo map | USGS Helvetia, AZ |
The Santa Rita Mountains are a beautiful mountain range in Arizona, USA. They are located about 65 kilometers (40 miles) southeast of Tucson, Arizona. The mountains stretch for about 42 kilometers (26 miles) from north to south.
The highest point in the Santa Rita Mountains is Mount Wrightson. It stands tall at 2,881 meters (9,453 feet). This peak is also the highest point in the entire Tucson area.
One special place in these mountains is Madera Canyon. It is famous around the world for birdwatching. Many different kinds of birds live there or pass through. The Smithsonian Institution also has an important science center here. It is called the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory and is located on Mount Hopkins. The Santa Rita Mountains are part of a unique group of mountains called the Madrean Sky Islands. These are like tall, green islands in a desert sea.
Most of the Santa Rita Mountains are inside the Coronado National Forest. This means the land is protected and managed by the government. Before 1908, these mountains were their own forest area. Later, they became part of the larger Coronado National Forest. A big part of the range is also a special protected area called the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness. This area is kept wild and natural. In July 2005, a large wildfire called the Florida Fire burned parts of the Santa Rita Mountains.
Other mountain ranges around the Tucson valley include the Santa Catalina Mountains, the Rincon Mountains, the Tucson Mountains, and the Tortolita Mountains.
Wildlife in the Santa Rita Mountains
The Santa Rita Mountains are home to many animals. One very special resident is a male jaguar named "El Jefe." He was first seen in 2011. Jaguars are very rare in the United States. El Jefe's presence here shows how important it is to protect this area.
Images for kids
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Helvetia, Arizona, in 1909.
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View of the Santa Ritas from the Catalina Mountains.
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Mount Wrightson from Madera Canyon in 2012.
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The San Rafael Valley with the Santa Ritas in the background.
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A rainbow and the Santa Ritas.
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The southern end of the Santa Ritas from Sahuarita, Arizona.
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Overlooking Green Valley, Arizona from the Santa Rita mountains.
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The eastern and southern Santa Rita Mountains photographed from the summit of Jack Mountain. Mount Wrightson, the peak left of center, is the highest point in the range.
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See also
In Spanish: Sierra de Santa Rita para niños
