Scenic Drives
Harshaw Road (Forest Road 49)
A historic mining district that extends along the bottom of a sycamore-shaded
canyon is the focal point of this short, easy drive. You’ll
start in the quaint little town of Patagonia, with its rich mining
and ranching
heritage, and drive up the meandering course of Harshaw Creek. The
canyons carved by that small stream and its tributaries were the
center of extensive mining activity from the end of the last century
well
into the present one. Even today, mining activity continues in some
areas.
As you drive along the creek, the rock outcrops yielding the gold
and silver that once attracted large numbers of prospectors and
hard rock
miners to this area are frequently accompanied by evidence of the
enterprise of those hardy and persistent souls. In some cases, that
evidence may
be a shaft or tunnel gaping from the canyon side and made obvious
by a telltale pile of mine tailings. In others, the only thing left
to
catch your eye may be the remains of an old adobe wall or a clump
of ornamental
trees planted here by the miners. Because the Ailanthus altissima,
or tree of heaven, is fast growing and pollution tolerant, it was
frequently
planted around mining settlements to provide cool shade and a touch
of green after native trees were cut for firewood or mine timbers.
The fact
that this tree’s brittle wood is virtually useless for lumber
or firewood is probably another reason it was spared the axe long enough
to fulfill its function.
The Harshaw Road ends at its junction with FR 61, just west of the
old ghost towns of Washington Camp and Duquesne. You might want
to take a
short detour in their direction before you continue up and over
the pass into Nogales.
Attractions:
Historic mining district
Ghost towns
Scenic canyon
Watchable wildlife
Access to other scenic drives
Location: South, out of Patagonia to the Mexican Border Road (FR
61).
Access: Drive south from Patagonia on the Harshaw Road, FR
58. At the junction with FR 49 turn right (south) to FR 61.
You can
turn
around
here and go back the way you came or turn right again (west)
on FR 61 (a scenic drive too) and continue into Nogales.
Mileage/Driving Time: 10 miles to the FR 61 junction. One
hour driving time if you drive down and back, 90 minutes
if you
continue into
Nogales.
Season: Open year round.
Road Conditions: Dirt, two-wheel drive accessible.
For further information contact: Sierra Vista Ranger District
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