The Aravaipa Wilderness Preserve is a federal Wilderness Area managed by BLM. Access into Aravaipa Canyon is by permit only and available only through BLM. Its elevation ranges from 2,800 feet at the west end of the canyon bottom to 6,150 feet on Table Mountain. The 10-mile long central gorge cuts through the northern end of the Galiuro Mountains. The pristine Aravaipa Creek flows perennially and is the heart of the preserve and canyon. The creek is a tributary of the San Pedro River and shelters the best remaining assemblage of desert fishes in Arizona, with seven native species. Two of these species are federally listed as threatened—the spikedace and loach minnow. Among the more than 200 species of birds found at Aravaipa are black and zone-tailed hawks, peregrine falcon, yellow-billed cuckoo, Bell’s vireo, and beardless tyrannulet. Among the larger mammals that roam the canyon rim and bottomlands are mountain lion, coatimundi, ringtailed cats, black bear, and desert bighorn sheep. In the spring, colorful native wildflowers such as lupine, four o’clock, monkey flowers, columbine and other, more rare species can be seen along Aravaipa Creek. You can hike the ten miles from one side to the other. You'll need a full day for the entire hike as the going is slow in places. There are not only water crossings, but there are several places where simply walking in the creek is the easiest route. If this is the plan, you will need a driver to drop you off at one side and pick you up at the other. The drive from one side to the other is 250 miles and about five hours. Obviously, you can also walk into the canyon from one trail head or the other for a couple of miles and back to the same trailhead. This is what we have done (from both the east and west trailheads). The West Trailhead is about an hour and a half from us. The East Trailhead is about three and a half hours from us. As I have said, I am not a landscape photographer but here are a few of the photos of the canyon:
Entering the Canyon in Aravaipa Creek
Saguaros seem to grow out of the rock in the canyon walls.
One of many waterfalls.
Devils Half Acre Canyon
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