Scenic Drives
Canelo Hills Loop (Sonoita To Patagonia)
Historic ranching and mining country with broad grasslands and distant
buttes provides the setting for this medium length loop drive. The
route starts out in the little ranching community of Sonoita and
winds south through a series of grassy, oak-dotted canyons along
Arizona
Route 83 to the intersection with Forest Road 799. This junction
actually marks the beginning of this scenic drive. At this point,
the drive
turns west and begins climbing into the Canelo Hills. Canelo means
cinnamon-colored in Spanish, so we’re fairly sure that name
refers to the color of these rolling hills when seen from a distance.
After topping Canelo Pass, as quickly as you got into the hills,
you’re
out of them, and the scenery changes dramatically. The road turns,
the trees open up, and an extensive rolling grassland stretches to
the south
into Mexico and well to the north, toward the Santa Rita Mountains
and the Santa Catalinas near Tucson. In the distance, landmarks such
as Indian
Head Butte and Saddle Mountain slide in front of one another as you
move across the vast grassy plateau.
Enjoy these views while you can because totally without warning
the road drops into a series of oak-filled canyons cut into these
southern
Arizona
slopes. Suddenly the views can be measured in hundreds of feet
instead of scores of miles. The route then continues its way through
these
canyons toward the old mining settlements along Harshaw Creek and
drive’s
end in the picturesque mining, ranching, and tourist town of Patagonia.
Attractions:
Panoramic views
Vast prairies/distant mountains
Historic ranching and mining country
Soaring eagles/browsing deer
Quaint old towns
Location: Southeast of Tucson, from Sonoita to Patagonia through
grasslands and canyons.
Access: From Tucson: Drive 21 miles east on I-10 to AZ Highway
83 then 17 miles south through Sonoita to FR 5799. Take FR
799 to FR
58. Follow
FR 58 west to FR 49, then continue north on this road to
Patagonia and back to Sonoita on AZ Highway 82.
Mileage/Driving Time: 52 miles. It takes about 2.5 hours.
Season: Open year round.
Road Conditions: Dirt, two-wheel drive accessible.
For further information contact: Sierra Vista Ranger District
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