The Tucson Mountains are located several miles west of downtown Tucson. For thousands of years, this mountain range has been inhabited, explored, and traveled by Native Americans who settled near the Santa Cruz River. Homesteaders, prospectors, and ranchers arrived in the late 19th century, drawn by the area's close proximity to Tucson and the Southern Pacific Railroad, as well as the promise of land and mineral wealth. During the past 100 years, conservation efforts to preserve and enhance the community's understanding of this geologic treasure have led to the establishment of museums and parks, including Tucson Mountain Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Saguaro National Park West. Old Tucson Studios has used the surrounding Tucson Mountains as a movie backdrop for more than 70 years. The White Stallion Ranch and the J. W. Marriot at Starr Pass make the Tucson Mountains a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the rugged beauty and character of the American Southwest.
Discusses the development of Tucson, Arizona, and its impact on local environment, describes the beauty and fragility of the Catalina Mountains, and argues that they must be protected
A geologic history of southern Arizona, and specifically of the Tucson Mountains, includes an outline of the geologic evidence that was used to reveal the history of the area, explains the processes that formed the rocks found in the Tucson Mountains, summarizes all the rock formations in the range, discusses the state's numerous mineral deposits, and more.
Faces of Joseph is a story of a man born and raised in a preacher's home, who sets his sights on finding his purpose in life. He weaves a life in the Christian Church as a Presbyterian minister, where he finds partial fulfillment in social-political activism. In the sixties, Joseph involves himself in the civil rights movement in Selma, Alabama. In 1970 he unites with other ministers for an Intra-Faith spiritual quest which takes them to London, Geneva, Rome and Israel. In the 70s and later 80s the the author undergoes two dramatic changes in the desert of Arizona . In the first experience he chooses to walk away from Presbyterianism to Pentecostalism. The second experience follows several years later where Joseph discovers an inner world of the spirit that opens the door to new self-awareness. The book ends with an unusual chapter where Joseph meets two very special people in a dream. Here, Joseph stumbles on a fantastic discovery that will lighten as well as enlighten the hearts of the reader.
Even in paradise, one needs to be mindful of whatÕs underfoot. The Sabino Canyon Recreation Area is a desert oasis in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson, a rich repository of wildlife and a favorite destination for Tucsonans and visitors for more than a century. This book presents annotated and illustrated descriptions of the amphibians and reptiles found at Sabino Canyon and an overview of their natural environment. Representing a study spanning nearly twenty-five years, it documents their present and past distribution and examines environmental and herpetofaunal change due to physical, biological, and human impact on species and habitats. In this first publication to describe Sabino CanyonÕs biota in scientific detail, three expert authors pool their knowledge to provide a detailed discussion of ecological changeÑespecially as a consequence of drought, flooding, the introduction of exotic species, and direct human impact. Suburbia has arrived on the canyonÕs doorstep, and human visitation has soared, inalterably affecting the area. Of particular concern, breeding habitats for amphibians were profoundly altered by flash flooding in SabinoÕs streams following the 2003 Aspen Fire, which ravaged large parts of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The book contains richly detailed accounts of the 57 species found at SabinoÑ25 snakes, 17 lizards, 8 toads and frogs, 6 turtles, and 1 salamanderÑemphasizing their local ecology and the behavior likely to be witnessed by visitors. Physical descriptions and numerous photographsÑmany in colorÑfacilitate identification. Up-to-date distribution maps provide an essential baseline against which future researchers can measure change. Amphibians, Reptiles, and Their Habitats at Sabino Canyon is essential for anyone who seeks to understand this desert oasis, how it has changed, and how it may change in the future. Written with minimal technical jargon to make it as useful to students and visitors as it will be to scientists and resource managers, it makes a vital contribution to our understanding of creatures underfoot whose habitat we seek to share.
This rich, enthusiastic guide to the Tucson, Rincon, Santa Catalina, and Santa Rita Mountains has been completely revised. Betty Leavengood’s fourth edition of her bestselling Tucson Hiking Guide offers new routes and updated access information, detailed maps, and clear descriptions to area trailheads. This latest edition includes thirty-seven hikes rated easy to difficult by mountain range; revised information on precautions for desert hiking; historical notes, photographs, and anecdotes; and detailed maps and descriptions with elevation/distance.
An in-depth look into the lives and times of the people who shaped the history of the Catalina Mountains. This revised edition includes a section on the 2003 Aspen fires.
Nestled in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, Arizona, Sabino Canyon demonstrates the beauty and resiliency of life in what many would assume to be a most inhospitable place. For thousands of visitors each year, this oasis in the Sonoran Desert offers the opportunity to experience biodiversity in action. David Lazaroff has called on years of studying, photographing, and educating people about Sabino Canyon to produce this clearly written and beautifully illustrated book. Focusing on the importance of Sabino Creek both to plants and animals and to human recreation, he tracks the ebb and flow of canyon life through the year and tells how people have sought to utilize the canyon through history. First-time visitors to Sabino Canyon will find their experience enriched through Lazaroff's insights into plants, animals, and geology, while those who regularly frequent Sabino's trails or pools can become better informed about its fragile desert and riparian habitats. For anyone curious about life in a genuine Southwestern oasis, this book captures the beauty and uniqueness of a natural treasure-house located in a bustling city's back yard.
The famous legend of the Iron Door Mine, a forgotten mission and a lost city somewhere in the Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Tucson, Arizona, has lured prospectors and treasure hunters for hundreds of years. The discoveries of early Spanish placer mining sites, stone ruins, and stories of the mountains only fueled speculation about the riches still left behind. Common knowledge among the locals eventually gained legendary status. Even more surprising was the abundance in gold, silver, and copper etched into the mountains. These stories became embedded in Arizona’s early history and were spun into some sensational legends and featured in numerous literary and film adventures. "Treasures of the Santa Catalina Mountains" explores the legends and history of the Catalinas, compiled from out-of-print books, magazines, newspapers and recollections from local prospectors. More than 430 pages and over 1,200 references.
