Wednesday, December 31, 2014

San Pedro River Walk Sierra Vista, Arizona December 26, 2014

          San Pedro River and Freemont Cottonwoods

After relaxing part of the morning, I decided to hike along the San Pedro River east of Sierra Vista, Arizona. I drove east on Highway 90 and parked on the left side of the highway at a small parking area for the main trail that travels north toward the ghost town of Fairbanks, Arizona, and south toward Hereford Bridge. I hiked a mile and a half north through the grassy riparian environment of the San Pedro Basin. Fast-moving fires can easily ignite in this grassy environment so please be careful. I returned south along the river on a well-worn game trail. This trail takes hikers underneath the Freemont Cottonwoods and along the river. The San Pedro River is known for its avian diversity. Today I saw a number of different species of hawks and sparrows. It appeared there was more water in the river than last year owing to the early fall monsoon moisture Southern Arizona received in October. I hiked two and half miles before returning to the car via the established self-guided loop and San Pedro House. The San Pedro is one of my favorite riparian locations in the west so I hope to explore more of it in 2015.


                    Freemont Cottonwoods and grass

                    The San Pedro River

                   Freemont Cottonwoods

                            The river

                       The San Pedro Riparian area