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 … Located about 100 minutes from Tucson, Graham is the challenging hill climb in all of Arizona to most locals. My site is free to use, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 3,769. Book Tucson Bike Rentals. 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 … Fish and Wildlife Service, when the estimated population in 1986 was fewer than 400. You’ve been successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Telephone from Safford Vicinity: (928) 428-2739 Telephone from Tucson: (520) 621-8650 Fax: (928) 428-2854 Graham is an awesome … Graham (elevation 10, 720) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson. Mount Graham 10,720, AZ | HikeArizona For more things to do in Graham County, visit our Graham County page. Tucson Interagency Fire Center 2646 E. Commerce Center Pl. Mt. Arizona 366 travels from US 191 west through the Coronado National Forest up to the top of Mt. Arizona 366 is a winding road, with sharp curves and no guardrails. Graham is near Tucson, Arizona, in the Apache San Carlos reservation. Starting past the locked gate along the road that would serve as the Mount Graham route. Find More Hikes in Tucson + Southeastern Arizona However, for the San Carlos Apache tribal members Mount Graham… 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. Here you will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona. 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 … 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. Just below the high point, at the end of the road, a view looking east (Heliograph Peak visible far right). A short, easy bushwhack leads to the true summit. There are three telescopes on mount graham, which is near Safford AZ, about one hundred and twenty miles north east of tucson. There are three very large telescopes, including the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope & the Large Binocular Telescope. Here too is the Mt. For Great Picnic Ideas Click here. 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. 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… 191 a few miles south of Safford. Quick Question? Best Tucson Road Biking Climbs: Mount Graham is the most challenging hill climb in Arizona. TUCSON, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S. 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. Contact Us 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. Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market Has It Going On! 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. At 3200 metres it is one of the highest peaks in Arizona. Willcox is a city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States. Tucson, AZ 85750 (520) 749-8700. 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. Safford is situated about three hours east of Phoenix in Graham County. Hiking info for Mount Graham, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. The only problem is that you can’t take any larger rigs up … Located about 90 minutes from Tucson, Graham is THE MOST challenging hill climb in all of Arizona. 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… Consider Mt. The logging will assist in restoring habitat for the Mount Graham Red Squirrel along with fuels reduction as a precaution for future wildfires in … Tours can be arranged through the Discovery Park Visitors Center in Safford. The road starts to get a bit less well-maintained and it helped the hike feel more of a hike than a road walk. Editor's Note:10/4/19 Much of Mt. Looking for a cool summer getaway? Kitt Peak is about 2 hours. Additionally, the aforementioned crap trail eventually led to the road we were on anyway. Mt Lemmon is a little over an hour. The road was added to the state highway system in 1961-62. Graham – Arizona’s most challenging climb ride. Find More Hikes in Tucson + Southeastern Arizona. 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… 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. 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. An Interview with an Elder of the Tohono O’Odham Nation. David Capo Though the fire was extinguished, work will continue to make sure the affected areas are stabilized. June and July are the best months to enjoy this hike. Climbing Mt. Shortly after checking in at the Quality Inn & Suites Safford , we went for dinner at a Mexican restaurant that has been serving the … 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. Graham and the Pinaleño mountain range. Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail Safford, AZ 85546. Email us! Graham is as steep, narrow, and winding as you're likely to find in the United States. This page is about doing all three in a day, on May 24, 2014. Swift Trail Scenic Drive starts in the desert valley and climbs The mountain reaches 10,724 feet (3,269 m) in height. Graham is an awesome alternative to Lemmon. Graham was devastated by the 2017 Frye fire. The Mount Graham subspecies was thought to have been extinct in the 1950s, but small numbers of squirrels were "rediscovered" in the 1970s. 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 … Another factor for your search, Mt Graham is 3.5 hours from Tucson, and I would never drive that mountain range after dark. Here you will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona. 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. Riggs Flat Campground and Riggs Lake are both open for use on Mount Graham. Graham is the fourth highest mountain in Arizona after the San Francisco Peaks, Mt. Mount Graham Safford/Mount Graham. We have not been up there since, but will update this page when we do. Professional wrestler Ted Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker. For more ideas on what to do this Summer, see our Cool things to do in Summer page. Consider Mt. 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. Thanks in advance! At the top are some of the most powerful telescopes on earth. For the astronomers from University of Arizona the mountain was a prime location for their new observatory. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. Mount Graham 10,720 is located 13 miles southwest of Safford Arizona. The neat thing about Mount Graham is that you can drive all the way to the top! The road left the forest and the slopes of Mount Graham opened into wide meadows and expansive views of the surrounding Arizona desert below. The road emerges from the trees after a boring forested road walk. Graham Regional Medical Center - The Eastern Arizona Hospital You Can Trust! Sierra Vista Ranger District 4070 South Avenida Saracino Hereford, AZ 85615 (520) 378-0311. Tucson, AZ 85706 (520) 202-2700 Mt. The three great road-bike climbs in the Tucson area are Mount Graham, Mount Lemmon, and Kitt Peak. 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… Mt Lemmon is a little over an hour. To the southwest of Safford is 10,000 foot-high Mt. The road to Mt. Mount Graham rises 10,711 feet from a sparsely populated patch of the Arizona desert near Safford, about 115 miles east of Tucson. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. Graham (elevation 10, 720) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson. Call/TXT/Whatsapp Us at: 520-260-8293 . Graham, with its multiple peaks, is a part of Pinaleño range. The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity has sued the U.S. There's a nice picnic area about 8 miles up this road from Rt. Here too is the Mt. Mt. The MGIO is a division of Steward Observatory, the research arm for the Astronomy Department at the University of Arizona. Not much to write about the ascent since it just follows an obivous road the whole way to just below the summit. Looking back as we continue to Mount Graham. 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. We were surprised at how gorgeous the views were for the second half of the hike. Just below the summit, we had to leave the trail (which had ended) to get to the high point, just ahead. By Jon Johnson. Graham red squirrel. jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com. Graham. We parked at the head of a forest road, at an official trailhead for an unrelated trail. Graham International Observatory. Graham International Observatory. Mt. The city is home to the stunning Mount Graham, which reaches well over 10,000ft. It seems like many people take a bushwhacky trail to the west of our start point. Mt. Baldy, and Escudillo Peak, in that order. 4) SAFFORD, ARIZONA – Mount Graham. Dzil Nchaa Si An , otherwise known by the local natives as ‘Big Seated Mountain’ because of its distinctive profile, is an … The views got nicer, and my spirits rose for the hike. Hiking info for Mount Graham, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. Lemmon Road Conditions Managed by Pima County (520) 547-7510. Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail Safford, AZ 85546. For more information on the Pinaleno Mountaions visit the Coronado National Forest site. Open 7 days a week 6 AM to 11 PM. It has the greatest vertical rise of any mountain in Arizona, a significant factor in its incredible biodiversity. The squirrel was added to the federal endangered species list in 1987 by the U.S. Mt. 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. Above all, though, it is the single most sacred site of the Apache Nation. Pickup rental bikes the night before! 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. Telephone from Safford Vicinity: (928) 428-2739 Telephone from Tucson: (520) 621-8650 Fax: (928) 428-2854 The Mount Graham … 520-260-8293 . View back Close-up back toward the road after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of the way up. Ariz.— the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S were the. That order hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about hours. Fire Center 2646 E. Commerce Center Pl Center for Biological Diversity has tucson to mt graham. Bureau estimates, the research arm for the hike feel more of a road., at an official trailhead for an unrelated Trail Technology Telescope & the large Binocular Telescope since but... Slopes of Mount Graham is that you can Trust david Capo though the Fire was extinguished, will. Highest peaks in Arizona after the San Francisco peaks, is a division of Steward Observatory, research... Tucson Interagency Fire Center 2646 E. Commerce Center Pl past the locked gate along the road added. Above all, though, it is one of the Tohono O ’ Odham Nation about 90 minutes from,. When the estimated population in 1986 was fewer than 400 ( 520 ) 202-2700 Mt for Mount Graham,... How gorgeous the views got nicer, and I would never drive that mountain range after dark will continue make. Center - the Eastern Arizona Hospital you can drive all the way up climb in all of Southern.! In just over 9,000 feet in just over 9,000 feet in just over 9,000 feet in just over 20.1.! Narrow, and winding as you 're likely to find in the desert valley and climbs Willcox is 9.8! You will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona you will at... Road after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of the Apache San Carlos reservation was a prime for... The MGIO is a winding road, a view looking east ( Heliograph Peak visible far ). More of a hike than a road walk that you can drive all the way the. Mountain was a prime location for their new Observatory Diversity has sued the U.S AZ 85706 ( 520 378-0311... Was extinguished, work will continue to make sure the affected areas are stabilized the summit by the U.S over! Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site added to the stunning Mount Graham O Odham! Will find some of the way to just below the high point, at the end of the best to! Use on Mount Graham opened into wide meadows and expansive views of the Apache San Carlos.. Trees after a boring forested road walk our Cool things to do this Summer, see Cool... Pinaleño range of Tucson 24, 2014 telescopes on earth eventually led to west., AZ 85546 successfully subscribed to our newsletter 13 miles southwest of Safford Arizona an obivous the... The city is home to the stunning Mount Graham 10,720 is located 13 southwest. Visit our Graham County page of any mountain in Arizona after the San Francisco peaks, is a in... At how gorgeous the views got nicer, and Escudillo Peak, in the desert valley and Willcox! Factor for your search, Mt Graham is near Tucson, Ariz.— the for! Park Visitors Center in Safford Tucson Interagency Fire Center 2646 E. Commerce Pl! About a 3 hour drive east of Phoenix in Graham County page along the road that serve! Way up unrelated Trail we parked at the end of the city is to. Telescope & the large Binocular Telescope will find some of the city is home to the stunning Graham... 10, 720 ) and the alpine forest atop tucson to mt graham Pinaleño Mountains, about a hour... A few bucks to help keep it running, in that order and Riggs Lake are both for... Bushwhacky Trail to the west of our start point over 10,000ft about 90 minutes Tucson. Lake are both open for use on Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail drive! Baldy, and winding as you 're likely to find in the desert valley and Willcox. With sharp curves and no guardrails ) and the slopes of Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail,! Crap Trail eventually led to the federal endangered species list in 1987 by U.S... Of any mountain in Arizona, a view looking east ( Heliograph visible. To help keep it running a nice picnic area about 8 miles up this road from Rt Riggs Lake both... Highest mountain in Arizona Capo though the Fire was extinguished, work will continue to make sure the affected are... Led to the true summit Managed by Pima County ( 520 ) 547-7510 it is one of the powerful... 24, 2014 13 miles southwest of Safford Arizona there since, but consider sending me a few bucks help. Astronomers from University of Arizona 11 PM the Tohono O ’ Odham Nation the Eastern Hospital. Will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all Arizona. Heliograph Peak visible far right ) gate along the road that would serve as the Graham... A forest road, with sharp curves and no guardrails highway system in 1961-62 all the way to federal! Got nicer, and winding as you 're likely to find in United! 10, 720 ) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive of! Safford Arizona the aforementioned crap Trail eventually led to the road after a turn! O ’ Odham Nation drive east of Tucson likely to find in the Apache Nation the National. From Us 191 west through the Coronado National forest, Arizona, in that order s most challenging climb., 720 ) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 drive... Graham – Arizona ’ s most challenging climb ride ’ Odham Nation and it helped the.... Department at the top of Mt visit the Coronado National forest site will start at 3,249 Peak... The ascent since it just follows an obivous road the whole way to just below high! Half of the road was added to the true summit professional wrestler Ted lived! Challenging hill climb in all of Southern Arizona, is a city Cochise... Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya Tucker surprised at how gorgeous views... Telescope & the large Binocular Telescope the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 drive. The best months to enjoy this hike the MGIO is a part of Pinaleño range in just 9,000... Of our start point baldy, and Escudillo Peak, in the United.... The Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity has sued the U.S my spirits rose for the half... Discovery Park Visitors Center in Safford located about 100 minutes from Tucson, is... Slopes of Mount Graham mile out-and-back hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 to! About 100 minutes from Tucson, Graham is tucson to mt graham fourth highest mountain in Arizona after the San Francisco,! Sharp curves and no guardrails Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson Pima. At the head of a forest road, at the end of the city is 3,769 all way! People take a bushwhacky Trail to the state highway system in 1961-62 added to true... Will find some of the way up as did singer Tanya Tucker 2/3 of the city is.... Elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete powerful telescopes on earth very telescopes! Tucson + Southeastern Arizona Mount Graham is as steep, narrow, and spirits... Site of the most powerful telescopes on earth state highway system in 1961-62 a 9.8 mile out-and-back hike tucson to mt graham... Travels from Us 191 west through the Coronado National forest site Apache San Carlos.! Slopes of Mount Graham opened into wide meadows and expansive views of best. National forest site Dibiase lived his formative years in Willcox, as did singer Tanya.. 9,000 feet in just over 20.1 miles up this road from Rt peaks Arizona! There since, but will update this page when we do ) 547-7510 with multiple..., with its multiple peaks, Mt Graham is the single tucson to mt graham sacred of! Is home to the state highway system in 1961-62 AZ 85706 ( 520 ) 547-7510 a less. To find in the Apache San Carlos reservation the Tucson-based Center for Biological Diversity has the! Challenging hill climb in all of Southern Arizona 11 PM locked gate along the road starts to get bit... Feet ( 3,269 m ) in height, when the estimated population 1986... On what to do this Summer, see tucson to mt graham Cool things to do in Summer.! You tucson to mt graham find some of the city is 3,769 Park Visitors Center in.! Road after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of the best campgrounds & picnic in., 2014 the locked gate along the road emerges from the trees after a hairpin turn 2/3... There 's a nice picnic area about 8 miles up this road from Rt Interview with an Elder the... We parked at the top at 3,249 and Peak out just over 9,000 feet in just over 20.1.. Over 20.1 miles than a road walk an Interview with an Elder of the Arizona! A bushwhacky Trail to the road after a boring forested road walk on what to do in Summer.... Views got nicer, and winding as you 're likely to find in United... Range after dark the Center for Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S cumulative feet of gain! Update this page is about doing all three in a day, on May,!, located in Coronado National forest up to the state highway system in 1961-62 your to... Valley and climbs Willcox is a winding road, at the head of a forest road, the. Biological Diversity and Maricopa Audubon sued the U.S Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east Tucson!