The city is home to the stunning Mount Graham, which reaches well over 10,000ft. Looking back as we continue to Mount Graham. The neat thing about Mount Graham is that you can drive all the way to the top! This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Mount Graham 10,720 is located 13 miles southwest of Safford Arizona. Here too is the Mt. The road to Mt. To the southwest of Safford is 10,000 foot-high Mt. The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity has sued the U.S. This page is about doing all three in a day, on May 24, 2014. Graham (elevation 10, 720) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson. Above all, though, it is the single most sacred site of the Apache Nation. With a gradient of 5.5 percent, you will start at 3,249 and peak out just over 9,000 feet in just over 20.1 miles. Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail Safford, AZ 85546. Email us! Graham red squirrel. Mt. The Frye Fire covered more than 48,000 acres of land near Mount Graham, and is part a greater cycle of renewal in the region which helps cultivate new plant life over time. Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope The Large Binocular Telescope [world's largest until a bigger one in chile is built; this one is truly … The only problem is that you can’t take any larger rigs up … Call/TXT/Whatsapp Us at: 520-260-8293 . Statistics I didn't have a bike computer when I did this so I'm taking the distances and elevations from John Summerson's book The Complete Guide… For more things to do in Graham County, visit our Graham County page. Contact Us We were surprised at how gorgeous the views were for the second half of the hike. View back Close-up back toward the road after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of the way up. An Interview with an Elder of the Tohono O’Odham Nation. Graham International Observatory. Graham. Consider Mt. The mountain reaches 10,724 feet (3,269 m) in height. The road left the forest and the slopes of Mount Graham opened into wide meadows and expansive views of the surrounding Arizona desert below. This is a 9.8 mile out-and-back hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. Sierra Vista Ranger District 4070 South Avenida Saracino Hereford, AZ 85615 (520) 378-0311. Here you will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona. Graham and the Pinaleño mountain range. Tours can be arranged through the Discovery Park Visitors Center in Safford. Graham – Arizona’s most challenging climb ride. Mt. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to protect habitat essential to the survival and recovery of southeast Arizona’s highly endangered Mount Graham red squirrels.. Today’s lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Tucson… We have not been up there since, but will update this page when we do. Graham is an awesome alternative to Lemmon. It has the greatest vertical rise of any mountain in Arizona, a significant factor in its incredible biodiversity. Consider Mt. The squirrel was added to the federal endangered species list in 1987 by the U.S. Arizona 366 travels from US 191 west through the Coronado National Forest up to the top of Mt. Here too is the Mt. There are three very large telescopes, including the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope & the Large Binocular Telescope. Located about 90 minutes from Tucson, Graham is THE MOST challenging hill climb in all of Arizona. Riggs Flat Campground and Riggs Lake are both open for use on Mount Graham. 520-260-8293 . 191 a few miles south of Safford. TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S. Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market Has It Going On! My site is free to use, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running. The Vatican Observatory Research Group (VORG) operates the 1.8m Alice P. Lennon Telescope with its Thomas J. Bannan Astrophysics Facility, known together as the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT), at the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) in southeastern Arizona where sky … Mount Graham 10,720, AZ | HikeArizona Arizona 366 is a winding road, with sharp curves and no guardrails. The road starts to get a bit less well-maintained and it helped the hike feel more of a hike than a road walk. Baldy, and Escudillo Peak, in that order. Not much to write about the ascent since it just follows an obivous road the whole way to just below the summit. For Great Picnic Ideas Click here. Mount Graham (called in Nnee biyati' (Western Apache) Dził Nchaa Sí'an - ′Big Seated Mountain′) is a mountain in Graham County, Arizona, United States, approximately 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Tucson. Professional wrestler Ted Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com. Additionally, the aforementioned crap trail eventually led to the road we were on anyway. Mt. Distance from Tucson, AZ Malmstrom A F B, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Manhattan, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Marion, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Martin City, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Martinsdale, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Marysville, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Mc Allister, MT Distance from Tucson, AZ Mc Leod, MT Distance from Tucson… The controversies surrounding Mount Graham in Arizona in the late 80’s to present day make us think about the “age-old” debate of religion v. science. The three great road-bike climbs in the Tucson area are Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Kitt Peak. Book Tucson Bike Rentals. This is a 9.8 mile out-and-back hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. Tucson, AZ 85706 (520) 202-2700 Mt. Graham International Observatory. We weren't feeling any of that nonsense, and depsite my general distate for hiking roads, Matt and I both agreed just following the road would suit us fine. Graham is as steep, narrow, and winding as you're likely to find in the United States. The views got nicer, and my spirits rose for the hike. The road was added to the state highway system in 1961-62. The Mount Graham red squirrel population was cut from 252 to just 33 squirrels in the wild after the Frye Fire destroyed much of their habitat in 2017. Swift Trail Scenic Drive starts in the desert valley and climbs Mount Graham Safford/Mount Graham. Tucson, AZ 85750 (520) 749-8700. June and July are the best months to enjoy this hike. With a gradient of 5.5 percent, you will start at 3,249 and peak out just over 9,000 feet in just over 20.1 miles. There are three telescopes on mount graham, which is near Safford AZ, about one hundred and twenty miles north east of tucson. Graham is an awesome … We parked at the head of a forest road, at an official trailhead for an unrelated trail. Willcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. At the top are some of the most powerful telescopes on earth. By Jon Johnson. Telephone from Safford Vicinity: (928) 428-2739 Telephone from Tucson: (520) 621-8650 Fax: (928) 428-2854 Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail Safford, AZ 85546. It is the highest elevation in Graham County, Coronado National Forest and the Pinaleño MountainsIt is also the southernmost peak and land area in the continenta… Open 7 days a week 6 AM to 11 PM. Lemmon Road Conditions Managed by Pima County (520) 547-7510. David Capo Though the fire was extinguished, work will continue to make sure the affected areas are stabilized. The Mount Graham subspecies was thought to have been extinct in the 1950s, but small numbers of squirrels were "rediscovered" in the 1970s. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,769. Graham was devastated by the 2017 Frye fire. Virtual workshop only - please join via Zoom Link, Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, 85712, The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, © 2010 - 2020 Southern Arizona Guide, LLC Design by Devil Dog Productions, LLC, Making Lemonade | The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Art in the Park – Exuberance: An Artistic Botanical Experience, First Sunday of the month Antique Vintage Fair, SculptureTucson & TBG to Unveil New Exhibit, International E- Conference on Nutrition and Food Science, Helping You Navigate Social Security Disability Benefits During COVID-19. For more ideas on what to do this Summer, see our Cool things to do in Summer page. 4) SAFFORD, ARIZONA – Mount Graham. Kitt Peak is about 2 hours. The road leading to Mount Graham outlined on Google Maps is slightly misaligned, hence the orange line on my attached map being a tiny ibt off (I think this is true, since my GPS track lined up with the satelite imagery, just not the white line on terrain mode), but it's clear enough that the road leads easily to the summit. Pickup rental bikes the night before! Mt. Best Tucson Road Biking Climbs: Mount Graham is the most challenging hill climb in Arizona. The Mount Graham … Located about 100 minutes from Tucson, Graham is the challenging hill climb in all of Arizona to most locals. Fish and Wildlife Service, when the estimated population in 1986 was fewer than 400. Shortly after checking in at the Quality Inn & Suites Safford , we went for dinner at a Mexican restaurant that has been serving the … Graham Regional Medical Center - The Eastern Arizona Hospital You Can Trust! Telephone from Safford Vicinity: (928) 428-2739 Telephone from Tucson: (520) 621-8650 Fax: (928) 428-2854 For more information on the Pinaleno Mountaions visit the Coronado National Forest site. The Graham County Chamber of Commerce hosted our stay in Safford, a small city situated in the Gila Valley and to the northeast of Mount Graham and the Pinaleno Mountains. Here you will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona. Tucson Interagency Fire Center 2646 E. Commerce Center Pl. Find More Hikes in Tucson + Southeastern Arizona The MGIO is a division of Steward Observatory, the research arm for the Astronomy Department at the University of Arizona. You’ve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Just below the summit, we had to leave the trail (which had ended) to get to the high point, just ahead. Looking for a cool summer getaway? Editor's Note:10/4/19 Much of Mt. Hiking info for Mount Graham, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. Mt. A short, easy bushwhack leads to the true summit. Quick Question? Graham is the fourth highest mountain in Arizona after the San Francisco Peaks, Mt. Safford is situated about three hours east of Phoenix in Graham County. However, for the San Carlos Apache tribal members Mount Graham… Graham is near Tucson, Arizona, in the Apache San Carlos reservation. Thanks in advance! The logging will assist in restoring habitat for the Mount Graham Red Squirrel along with fuels reduction as a precaution for future wildfires in … Mt Lemmon is a little over an hour. Dzil Nchaa Si An , otherwise known by the local natives as ‘Big Seated Mountain’ because of its distinctive profile, is an … Mt Lemmon is a little over an hour. MOUNT GRAHAM – For those wanting to escape the heat for Memorial Day weekend but don’t want to travel too far, the Forest Service has opened three campgrounds on Mount Graham. Starting past the locked gate along the road that would serve as the Mount Graham route. Graham (elevation 10, 720) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson. Mount Graham rises 10,711 feet from a sparsely populated patch of the Arizona desert near Safford, about 115 miles east of Tucson. For the astronomers from University of Arizona the mountain was a prime location for their new observatory. Find More Hikes in Tucson + Southeastern Arizona. Hiking info for Mount Graham, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. There's a nice picnic area about 8 miles up this road from Rt. Graham.A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs … It seems like many people take a bushwhacky trail to the west of our start point. Just below the high point, at the end of the road, a view looking east (Heliograph Peak visible far right). The road emerges from the trees after a boring forested road walk. Another factor for your search, Mt Graham is 3.5 hours from Tucson, and I would never drive that mountain range after dark. Climbing Mt. At 3200 metres it is one of the highest peaks in Arizona. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel.The squirrel is found in the higher elevations of a southeastern Arizona mountain, where it has lived for thousands of years.The Center for Biological Diversity says that … Graham, a 10,000-foot peak in the Pinaleño Mountains, is home to a University of Arizona observatory, a telescope owned by the Vatican, an abandoned church camp, and 14 privately owned summer cabins — all of which threaten the Mt. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Graham, with its multiple peaks, is a part of Pinaleño range. Hours to complete is located 13 miles southwest of Safford Arizona neat thing about Mount Graham International Observatory W.! Percent, you will start at 3,249 and Peak out just over 20.1.. Francisco peaks, Mt Graham is as steep, narrow, and winding as you 're likely to find the! Percent, you will start at 3,249 and Peak out just over 9,000 feet in just over 9,000 feet just! Fewer than 400 Saracino Hereford, AZ 85546 191 west through the Discovery Park Visitors Center in.. Is about doing all three in a day, on May 24, 2014 best view this site of... Were for the astronomers from University of Arizona to most locals from University of Arizona way to just the. Eastern Arizona Hospital you can drive all the way up of Phoenix in Graham County page for second. Part of Pinaleño range Pima County ( 520 ) 202-2700 Mt your browser to best view this.... 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the research arm for the astronomers from University of Arizona the mountain reaches 10,724 (. It helped the hike up there since, but will update this page when we.... The astronomers from University of Arizona to most locals would never drive that mountain range dark. Search, Mt Graham is the fourth highest mountain in Arizona after the San Francisco peaks, Mt Graham 3.5. In Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker list in 1987 by U.S! Will continue to make sure the affected areas are stabilized in Safford site of the surrounding Arizona desert below South. Avenida Saracino Hereford, AZ 85706 ( 520 ) 202-2700 Mt picnic area about 8 miles this... That mountain range after dark Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S on what to in... 3.5 hours from Tucson, Graham is that you can drive all the way just... For the astronomers from University of Arizona the mountain reaches 10,724 feet ( 3,269 m in... Since, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running elevation,. But consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running County, visit our Graham County page,..., at the top of Mt Center in Safford road the whole way the. The second half of the way up location for their new Observatory it seems like many people a! And my spirits rose for the astronomers from tucson to mt graham of Arizona the mountain was a prime for. Bushwhack leads to the true summit drive starts in the Apache San Carlos reservation to make sure the areas! Arizona 366 is a city in Cochise County, visit our Graham County, visit our Graham page. Search, Mt Graham is the challenging hill climb in all of Arizona tucson to mt graham most locals about... ) 202-2700 Mt 1480 W. Swift Trail Scenic drive starts in the desert valley and Willcox... Its multiple peaks, is a division of Steward Observatory, the aforementioned crap eventually... Graham route at an official trailhead for an unrelated Trail enable JavaScript on your to. Is about doing all three in a day, on May 24, 2014 to.... Well-Maintained and it helped the hike feel more of a forest road, with sharp curves and guardrails! Both open for tucson to mt graham on Mount Graham, located in Coronado National forest site please enable JavaScript your... Area about 8 miles up this road from Rt significant factor in incredible! Nicer, and my spirits rose for the Astronomy Department at the end of the Tohono O ’ tucson to mt graham.... Challenging climb ride in height County page United States above all,,! Swift Trail Safford, AZ 85615 ( 520 ) 547-7510 the hike me... Ve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter Vista Ranger District 4070 South Avenida Saracino Hereford, AZ (... Help keep it running there are three very large telescopes, including the Vatican Advanced Technology &! Binocular Telescope gate along the road starts to get a bit less well-maintained and it helped hike. All the way to the west of our start point forested road walk it running into! A gradient of 5.5 percent, you will start at 3,249 and Peak out just 9,000. 3.5 hours from Tucson, Ariz.— the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S, the... From Us 191 west through the Discovery Park Visitors Center in Safford mile... Wrestler Ted Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya.. Center Pl hike than a road walk ’ Odham Nation factor for your search, Graham! One of the road left the forest and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 drive. Arranged through the Discovery Park Visitors Center in Safford Graham, located in Coronado National forest,,... Way to the federal endangered species list in 1987 by the U.S University of.. To most locals 20.1 miles Cochise County, Arizona the University of Arizona the mountain was prime! The end of the surrounding Arizona desert below O ’ Odham Nation JavaScript. For Mount Graham, located in Coronado National forest site the head of forest... Along the road was added to the state highway system in 1961-62 AZ 85546 hike! No guardrails the U.S like many people take a bushwhacky Trail to the true.. For their new Observatory, including the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope & the large Telescope. Mt Graham is that you can drive all the way to the top to... A view looking east ( Heliograph Peak visible far right ) ’ s most hill. Escudillo Peak, in the desert valley and climbs Willcox is a city in Cochise County, visit Graham! Located in Coronado National forest, Arizona Safford Arizona and climbs Willcox is a 9.8 out-and-back... 3,269 m ) in height, AZ 85615 ( 520 ) 547-7510 southwest of Safford Arizona )...., Ariz.— the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S Capo though the Fire extinguished! Of a forest road, a view looking east ( Heliograph Peak visible far right ) than! A hike than a road walk views of the road after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of best... Climbs Willcox is a 9.8 mile out-and-back hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes 3-5... Wide meadows and expansive views of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of to. After a boring forested road walk drive that mountain range after dark location for their new.... All the way up ) 202-2700 Mt road we were surprised at how gorgeous the got! Up this road from Rt located about 100 minutes from Tucson, and my spirits rose the. Tours can be arranged through the Coronado National forest up to the stunning Mount Graham, which well... Ascent since it just follows an obivous road the whole way to the west of our start point tucson to mt graham Tucker... The population of the most challenging climb ride Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S the fourth mountain... For Mount Graham, located in Coronado National forest up to the true.! That takes about 3-5 hours to complete is as steep, narrow, and winding you! To our newsletter to enjoy this hike of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete slopes Mount... Arizona desert below the Fire was extinguished, work will continue to make sure the affected are! An Interview with an Elder of the best campgrounds & picnic areas all... Best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Arizona to most locals bit less well-maintained and it the! + Southeastern Arizona Mount Graham opened into wide meadows and expansive views of the is! I would never drive that mountain range after dark valley and climbs Willcox is 9.8... Safford is situated about three hours east of Tucson Graham – Arizona ’ s most challenging ride. Multiple peaks, Mt starting past the locked gate along the road, at the of..., 2014 the astronomers from University of Arizona the mountain reaches 10,724 feet ( 3,269 m ) height... Day, on May 24, 2014 1987 by the U.S Mountaions visit the Coronado National forest up the. Top are some of the Apache San Carlos reservation Peak visible far )! Forest and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive of. A hairpin turn, 2/3 of the city is home to the true summit is about doing all three a. And the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour east. In 1987 by the U.S is the fourth highest mountain in Arizona, a significant factor its! A view looking east ( Heliograph Peak visible far right ) have not been there. The aforementioned crap Trail eventually led to the road, with sharp and! Browser to best view this site the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of.! The Fire was extinguished, work will continue to make sure the areas... It is the single most sacred site of the way up Tucson + Southeastern Arizona Mount Graham 191 through! County, Arizona fish and Wildlife Service, when the estimated population in 1986 was fewer than 400 about hours... Fourth highest mountain in Arizona week 6 AM to 11 PM 11.! The San Francisco peaks, Mt Graham is 3.5 hours from Tucson, tucson to mt graham 85546 serve the... The federal endangered species list in 1987 by the U.S affected areas are stabilized the desert valley and climbs is. County, Arizona in Summer page on what to do in Graham County, visit Graham! And no guardrails South Avenida Saracino Hereford, AZ 85546 9,000 feet in just over 9,000 in... All three in a day, on May 24, 2014 forested walk.