Tag: landscape

Sunset, looking across the Ash Canyon ciénega to Miller Peak. 

At

9,470 feet (2,886 m), Miller is one of five ultra-prominences in Arizona. The designation of “ultra-prominent peak” is given to mountains that rise 4,900 feet (1,500 m) above their surrounding topography and are topographically isolated from other summits with equal elevation. Miller barely makes the list of ultras in the United States, with a prominence of 5,011 feet (1,527 m) above the San Pedro lowlands. 

90 Fire: Wildfire damage on the ranch road. This is one of my favorite hiking spots at San Pedro House. This track extends to the north to Government Draw and Murray Springs. The fire is completely contained, but trails are still closed. It will be interesting to see how this unique grassland/riparian ecosystem recovers—or not. The cottonwood gallery along the river here is especially beautiful, open and arched like a cathedral’s vaulted ceiling, and I’m afraid the trees will not return in my lifetime. 

90 Fire: Composite panorama of burned grassland and cottonwoods on the bank of the San Pedro River in Cochise County, Arizona. 

The fire began on July 12, and was still smoldering

to the north

a week later  when this photo was taken. About 215 acres (87 ha) burned. The damage seen here is just north of the AZ Highway 90 bridge over the San Pedro. San Pedro House and trails to the south of the highway were not affected.