SIERRA
VISTA
The city is the perfect getaway in the spring and summer Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
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hether it’s a day trip or an active long weekend, Sierra Vista has something for everyone. “At the base of the 9,400-foot Huachuca Mountains, Sierra Vista enjoys bright, sunny days and star-studded nights,” says Mary Jacobs, Sierra Vista’s assistant city manager. “Sierra Vista’s 4,600-foot elevation means the average daytime temperature is about 74 degrees – and rarely exceeds 100 degrees even during the height of the summer months.” This makes Sierra Vista, which is less than three hours from Phoenix, a cool respite from summer’s hot climates and a delightful escape from winter’s chill. Here is a rundown on what to expect in Sierra Vista.
RAMSEY CANYON PRESERVE The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve is world-renowned, thanks to the interplay of geology, biology, topography and climate that create a diverse habitat for plant and animal life. The 280-acre preserve provides a haven for over 170 varieties of birds, including 14 species of hummingbirds. Inside the Visitor Center at Ramsey Canyon Preserve is the kidfriendly “Please Touch” room with bird nests, snake skins and other wildlife bits.
FORT HUACHUCA MUSEUM Still an active military installation, Fort Huachuca was established in 1877 to defend American settlers and protect Mexico from Apache attacks. Those who mustered there in the early years quelled Apache raids, tracked and captured Geronimo, and tangled with the likes of Billy the Kid and Pancho Villa. The Fort Museum, located on Fort Huachuca, commemorates more than 150 years of history, from the first attempts to tame the territory in 1846 to World War II.
STREET BIKING Hopping in the saddle — the bicycle saddle — and exploring southeast Arizona is easier than almost anywhere else in the
nation. Whether your bike has skinny tires or knobby ones, or you ride astride a single-speed cruiser, Sierra Vista is the place to start your bicycle adventure. Road cyclists looking for long, winding roads with low traffic can’t beat the stretches of asphalt in and around Sierra Vista. Whatever direction you ride, you’ll find a constantly changing landscape and expansive mountain views along the way. The Bisbee Loop (60.8 miles) circles from Sierra Vista through this historic copper mining town that saw its boom in the 1880s. Bike-friendly and funky, Bisbee is known for its many art galleries, upscale and down-home eateries and coffee houses, and independent specialty shops.
THE ENTERTAINER! MAGAZINE MAY 2017
SAN PEDRO RIPARIAN NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA With nearly 40 miles of riparian vegetation, this 56,000-acre area is teeming with plant and animal life. Highly popular with bird watchers (more than half of the known breeding bird species in the United States have been spotted here), visitors can hike solo or choose from regularly scheduled bird, interpretive, and river walks led by docents from the San Pedro House. 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and dogs are welcome. PARKER CANYON LAKE Tucked between gently rolling hills of the Sonoita Wine Country and surrounded by the western Huachuca
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Mountains, this 132-acre lake and recreation site offers fully ADA-accessible fishing opportunities (fishing license required). The marina has a deep angled boat ramp; boats are limited to one 10-horsepower motor. Adjacent 65-unit campground; $10 per day.
SAVOR SIERRA VISTA One of the region’s biggest events, Savor Sierra Vista, takes place Thursday, May 25, to Monday, May 29, and includes live concerts, the Sky Island Summit Challenge – a one-, two- or three-peak hiking challenge – and even a local wine, beer and spirits festival. For more information on visiting Sierra Vista, or Savor Sierra Vista in May, visit.sierravistaaz.gov.
MOUNTAIN BIKING Mountain bikers can find miles of single track trails in the Huachuca Mountains, just a short ride from your hotel. One of the most popular jumping on points is along Ramsey Canyon Road at Brown Canyon Ranch. The Brown Canyon Trail gains about 1,900 feet in elevation and connects with the Hamburg Trail, making a nice loop ride; be sure to take the well-traveled jog to avoid the Miller Peak Wilderness Area. Popular with experienced riders, Brown Canyon gets a little gnarly with the elevation gain and rocky terrain, but the rewards are breathtaking views and smooth, flatter trails in open areas. A gentler ride is the Perimeter Trail, gaining only 834 feet in an 8.5-mile loop.
HIKING Sierra Vista marks the southern terminus of the Arizona National Scenic Trail, an 820-mile cross-state route that traverses mountains, deserts, canyons, forests and communities from Mexico to Utah. Along the way, you’ll experience some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North America. The trail is free and open every day with easy on and off points for day hikes or longer treks. Ash Canyon is also a popular option, and easily accessible by car. It offers three separate habitats: Chihuahuan Desert grassland, riparian woodland and oak forest. WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM