Ramsey Canyon Preserve

Ramsey Canyon cuts into the eastern side of the Huachuca Mountains southwest of Sierra Vista, and The Nature Conservancy runs a preserve in the canyon. It is a classic example of what the Conservancy calls a "sky island": mountains rising abruptly from arid grassland, where the Sierra Madre of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts meet and create stepping stones to the tropics.

A spring-fed stream, a northeast-facing slope and high canyon walls keep the canyon moist and cool, unusual for the desert Southwest; on average it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Tucson. Sycamores, maples and columbines grow along Ramsey Creek within a few feet of cacti, yucca and agaves. The preserve lists southwestern specialties such as Apache and Chihuahua pines, the ridge-nosed rattlesnake, the lesser long-nosed bat, the elegant trogon, and Rivoli's and Anna's hummingbirds, and the canyon is home to the threatened Chiricahua leopard frog. Coatis and black bears live here too. The best months for birding are April through September.

The visitor center has parking, restrooms, exhibits and hummingbird viewing. From the preserve headquarters, the Hamburg Trail follows Ramsey Creek through the preserve, then climbs about 500 feet in a half-mile of steep switchbacks to an overlook in the Coronado National Forest, about a mile from the start. Beyond the overlook the trail continues upstream into the Miller Peak Wilderness, where it joins other trails.

The preserve keeps strict rules for the sake of the wildlife and the small site. Parking is limited to 27 spaces, first come, first served, and you cannot park on the road below. Pets are not allowed (service animals are), and neither are buses, trailers or RVs over 20 feet. Smoking, camping, fires, hunting, collecting or feeding wildlife, motorized vehicles and bicycles are banned, and drones are restricted. Ask about the photography rules before setting up equipment. Spring weather is unpredictable, July and August often bring brief afternoon storms, and occasional snow falls from late November through late March.

Note the opening days: the preserve is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday.