Scenic Drives
Pinaleño Mountains/Swift Trail Tour
You will experience the ecological equivalent of driving from Mexico
to Canada all in one leisurely afternoon on this sky-scraping, switchbacking
mountain road. The Swift Trail, named for T. T. Swift, the first supervisor
of the Coronado National Forest, takes you from cactus-studded Sonoran
desert at 2,900 feet in the Gila Valley to alpine meadows and forests
on the 9,000' high ridges of the Pinaleño Range. The mountain
ranges of southeastern Arizona have come to be called “Sky Islands” because
they are surrounded by desert and isolated from one another by seas
of arid environment so different from the tall forests that grace their
upper slopes. Of all the Sky Islands in southeastern Arizona, the Pinaleños
are the highest and one of the most extensive.
This trip starts in a desert landscape where cactus, yucca and mesquite
are the prevalent plant species. The climb begins and the life zones
start to change almost immediately. From low desert scrub, to oak
grasslands, to pinyon-juniper woodlands and finally to forests of
pine, spruce and
fir, the road winds past breathtaking panoramas, lush forests, and
picturesque mountain meadows.
Several points of interest will vie for your attention along this
historic route constructed during the Great Depression by
members of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Among these, Heliograph Peak
was a signal outpost during the wars of expansion of the late 1800’s.
Hospital Flat, a wildflower-carpeted meadow, and Treasure Park, where
legend has it that a fortune in gold and silver was buried by Mexican
banditos, are accessible by short side trips. In addition to these points
of interest, the road provides access to a number of hiking, horsebacking,
and mountain biking trails, a mountain lake stocked with trout, and many campgrounds.
Attractions:
- Diverse scenery
- Breathtaking vistas
- Camping and picnicking
- Hiking and horsebacking
- Fishing and boating
- Biking
- Historic sites
- Fall colors
- Wildlife viewing
Location: Pinaleño Mountains southwest of Safford.
Access: Drive south from Safford on US 191. About 8 miles from
the center of town turn southwest on AZ 366, the Swift Trail,
and continue
35.2 miles
to the end of the road.
Mileage/Driving Time: 70.4 miles round trip, allow about 5
hours (more for a few side trips.)
Elevation: 2,900' to 9,300'
Season: The entire road is open to vehicular use from April 15 thru November 14 snow permitting.
Note....This winter closure period applies only to motorized vehicles. This seasonal closure occurs approximately one-half mile beyond the Shannon Campground. This route remains open to hikers, cross-country skiers, mountain bikes and other non-motorized users, so they may continue beyond the locked gate. Also, lower elevation sections may be used year-round, unless closed because of snow.
Road Conditions: 21.85 miles of the route are paved,
13.35 miles are graded dirt. The Swift Trail is a winding
road not
recommended for vehicles
over 26 feet long. It is closed 21.85 miles from its junction
with
U. S. 191 from November 15 to April 15. During this
same period much
of the
road above Noon Creek is snow covered and slippery.
Shady areas remain icy all winter long.
Notes:
A detailed guide including mileages for various points
of interest along this drive is available from the
Safford Ranger
District
Office.
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