Madera Canyon

We just cannot miss Madera Canyon when we visit southern Arizona.  It's a great entrance to the sky island of the Santa Rita Mountains.  It's famous for birding, and has great hiking trails.  We waited until we had warm weather for a few days, because we wanted to hike up into the mountains, and had hoped the warmth would have melted off the snow.  Not so, so we hiked the lower trails.  The weather was beautiful, sunny and warm.


Mt. Wrightson, Santa Rita Mountain Range

 Hiking the Proctor Trail along the creek.


Helen on a rock.




Bruce on the bridge at the beginning of Proctor Trail.



Along Proctor Trail



Trailside rocks

As Madera is a great place for birdwatchers, we met many. 

Three of the birders on the trail, Loretta, Mateo, and Bob

One of the great birds, Hepatic Tanager

There are several places to stay in the canyon, lodges, bed and breakfasts.  All have bird feeders out.  Santa Rita Lodge gets more than birds at their feeders.

Coatimundi

There is a campground nestled among the oaks and junipers.  It was my favorite camping site of the trip.  Well, it's a toss up between this one, Bog Springs Campground, and Gilbert Ray (Tucson Mountain Park) in the desert.


View from our campsite




Campsite at Bog Springs Campground, Madera Canyon

 Helen