Pima Canyon
| Pima Canyon | |
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Pima Canyon
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 Pima Canyon
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| Floor elevation | 2,900 feet (884 m) to 6,350 feet (1,935 m) |
| Long-axis length | 5 miles (8.0 km) |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 32°13′N 110°55′W / 32.21°N 110.92°WCoordinates: 32°13′N 110°55′W / 32.21°N 110.92°W |
Pima Canyon is a major canyon located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, north of Catalina Foothills and Tucson, Arizona, USA. Pusch Ridge forms the northwestern cliffs of Pima Canyon, dramatically rising from Pima Creek on the canyon floor. Pima Canyon varies greatly in elevation, from 2,900 feet (880 m) above sea level at Pima Creek to 6,350 feet (1,940 m) at Pima Saddle. Mount Kimball is the highest peak in the vicinity of the canyon.
The source of Pima Creek is located below the Pima Saddle, which is at an elevation of 6,350 feet (1,935 m). The distance from the Pima Canyon Trailhead to the Pima Saddle is about 5 miles (8.0 km). The creek flows intermittently throughout the year, usually after substantial rain or snow melt in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Pima Canyon, which is called a desert riparian habitat, has good opportunities for birdwatching. Many desert creatures can be seen, the larger of which are jackrabbits, javelina, and desert bighorn sheep. Because of its proximity to the Tucson metropolitan area, Pima Canyon is described as "overused", especially during the mild local winters. Many varieties of desert plants can be seen along the trail including the ocotillo, prickly pear, palo verde, mesquite, and the ubiquitous saguaro.
From Oro Valley, the Pima Canyon trailhead can be reached by driving east from Oracle Road (Arizona Highway 77) on Magee Road until it dead ends. From Ina Road, take Christie Drive north until it intersects with Magee and turn right. The Pima Canyon Trail is numbered # 62. The trailhead carries the name Iris O. Dewihirst.
The lower section of the trail, which runs from the trailhead to the lower dam, is 3.2 miles (5.1 km) long. The lowest elevation at the trailhead is 2,900 feet (884 m) while the highest elevation at the dam is 3,750 feet (1,143 m) according to the Sierra Club. Another calculation of the dam's elevation is 3,960 feet (1,207 m) at 32°22′07.3″N 110°54′39.5″W / 32.368694°N 110.910972°W. The trail has a difficulty rating of C and is called a "popular and easy hike". The Sierra Club website estimates that the 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round trip to the lower dam and back can take two and a half hours. Another source states that the round trip is three hours or more. The US Forest Service does not permit dogs or motorized vehicles on the trail.
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Wikipedia