Central Arizona Butterfly Association

Fieldtrip to Sycamore Canyon, Santa Cruz County

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Come and visit an off the beaten path place in Arizona, where birds and butterflies abound. Sycamore Canyon is well known in birding and butterflying circles as an excellent place to see a wide variety of species. This is a canyon which extends for 6 miles to the Mexican border, which provides a pathway for Mexican butterflies to make their way into the US. Assuming sufficient rain in Mexico, the canyon can be full of butterflies, particularly Sulphurs. It is also a place where a rare vagrant is always possible. Last year we found Common Mestra and Mexican Fritillary! The canyon is off Ruby Road, 9 miles west of Pena Blanca Lake, where the pavement ends. It is well signed on the left side of Ruby Road. This is a winding, twisting, gravel mountain road that is normally no problem for a passenger car. We will meet at 9:00 at the parking area at the top of the canyon and will explore the upper part of the canyon. The trail is somewhat rough, and disappears at times, but with reasonable care, it should be okay for most people. It gets much more difficult further down the canyon, but we will not be going there. Bring water, lunch, and sunscreen. If the grass is lush, chiggers are a real possibility, though they may be gone by mid-October. If there is standing water, the mosquitoes can be bad as well. Directions can be found in the Tucson Audubon Bird Finding Guide. Exit from I-19 at exit 12 (Ruby Road). Go west on the paved road until you come to Pena Blanca Lake, where you will turn left (away from the lake). The road becomes gravel at this point. It is a further 9.5 miles to the top of Sycamore Canyon (on the left). This is a windy, twisting road and is slow. Motels are available in Nogales and Tubac. It is about 45 minutes from I-19 to Sycamore Canyon. Please contact David Powell (vireo@vireos.com or 602-441-5508) for more information and to sign up for the trip.