Pinery Canyon (Forest Road 42)
This drive offers access to the
forested floor of Pinery Canyon and the high slopes of the Chiricahuas.
It provides magnificent views to the
west of the basin-and-range region of southeastern Arizona. The sky
islands of the Dos Cabezas, Swisshelms and Dragoons form a rugged horizon,
hemming in the seas of grass of the Sulphur Springs Valley. The rocky
ridgeline of fabled Cochise Stronghold bisects the Dragoons and stands
out as one of the view’s most prominent features.
If you come from the west, chances are you will have visited the Chiricahua
National Monument on your way. When you arrive in Pinery Canyon, you’ll
find the grasslands and forests more subtle, but with a beauty just as
deserving of note. This broad canyon, home to a variety of habitats including
a healthy riparian area, provides some excellent birdwatching and good
chances for viewing for resident mammals such as Coue’s white-tailed
deer, coatimundis and black bear.
As the route climbs from riparian forests to oak juniper woodlands
to the mixed conifers of higher slopes, it passes trailheads for
Pinery-Horsefall and Ida Peak trails. Pinery Canyon Campground is
located north of the
road about a mile from Onion Saddle, where a short trail leads from
the
road to a panoramic overlook. At Onion Saddle, you have the option
to drive up the mountain to Rustler Park, a lush mountain meadow
with a
colorful history, or to continue east to more great sightseeing in
Cave Creek Canyon.
Attractions:
Near Chiricahua National Monument
Forested canyon/riparian area
Campgrounds/Forest trails
Watchable wildlife–birds, deer
Big views of mountains and valleys
Location: Southeast of Willcox.
Access: From Tucson, take I-10 east for 81 miles to Willcox. Turn
right (south) on AZ 186 and drive 23 miles to the turnoff to
Chiricahua National
Monument. Turn left (east) and drive 4 miles to Forest Road
42, then turn right (south).
From Douglas, go west on US 80 two miles
to US
191. Take US 191 north 35 miles to Sunizona. Take AZ 181
east, then north
for approximately 28 miles (stay on the paved road). Near
the Chiricahua National Monument entrance, turn right on FR 42. Continue
up Pinery
Canyon 12 miles to Onion Saddle. From here, you may continue
down into the town
of Portal, drive up FR 42D to Rustler Park, or turn around
and
drive back the way you entered.
Mileage/Driving Time: 12 miles from the turnoff at Chiricahua
National Monument to Onion Saddle, allow 1 hour one way.
Road Conditions: Gravel, suitable for passenger vehicles
and vehicles up to 41 feet in length. Portions of this
road can
be made impassable
by snow in winter or mud in summer.
Elevation: 5,300'-7,600'
Season: April through November. This road is closed during
the winter months due to snow; check with the Douglas
Ranger District
for more
road conditions.
For further information contact: Douglas
Ranger District.
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