Scenic Drives
Stockton Pass
Big cattle ranches, rugged mountain ranges and broad grasslands studded
with desert plants make this a ride with a true southwestern flavor.
The route first climbs to the top of Stockton Pass where you’ll
find a picnic area in the midst of a grassy savannah embellished with
oak and cactus. The scenery at Stockton Pass and along the route that
leads to and from it include some excellent views of the Pinaleños
and sweeping panoramas of broad, flat Sulphur Springs Valley, with
the Galiuros and the Winchester Mountains jutting up from the valley
floor.
From Stockton Pass you can hike into the Pinaleño Mountains along
the Shake Trail or continue your drive down into Sulphur Springs Valley
to visit the rustic country store at the sleepy little ranching outpost
of Bonita. From here you may choose to return by the same way you came
or to continue on a loop that completely encircles the Pinaleño
Range. You may catch a glimpse of an antelope or golden eagle along
this stretch, and you will certainly see more great scenery. Just beyond
Bonita,
shaggy soaptree yuccas line the roadside creating great foregrounds
for views of the Galiuro Range in the distance. Ranch gates and cattle
corrals
continue as you parallel upper Aravaipa Creek where a 14-mile side
trip takes you to another colorful outpost and country store at Klondyke.
The last leg of the trip leads up and over a pass that separates
the Pinaleños from the rocky Santa Teresas that should be glowing
in the sunset just about the time you go driving by.
Attractions:
Desert scenery Oak/grassland scenery
Panoramic views Winter snow-capped mountains
Picnicking Hiking and horsebacking
History Wildlife viewing
Location: South of Safford.
Access: From Safford drive south 17 miles on US 191 to AZ 266.
Turn right (southwest) onto 266 and drive 12 miles to the
Stockton Pass
Picnic Area
then continue about 7 miles to Bonita. To continue on a scenic
loop, from Bonita continue north on the Aravaipa Road about
40 miles to
the Klondyke Road then turn right (east) 32 miles back to
U. S. 70 from which
it is another 13.7 miles back to Safford.
Mileage/Driving Time: 72 miles round trip between Safford
and Bonita or 97.5 for the
Aravaipa/Klondyke Road loop. Allow about 3 hours for the
trip to Bonita, all day for the 97.5 mile loop.
Elevation: 2,900' to 5,600'
Season: Year-round, but it can be hot in summer and extremely
muddy after rain or storm.
Road Conditions: 36 miles of the route is paved to
Bonita. The rest is graded dirt. The stretch of road
between
Bonita and Klondyke
can
become
extremely muddy and slippery in wet weather when you
may need 4-wheel drive.
For further information, contact: Safford
Ranger District.
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