November (not October) San Pedro River walks

Nature Walks
San Pedro House
Saturday, November 2, 16, and 30, all at 9am.

The San Pedro River is one of the last free flowing rivers in the Southwest and home to one of the largest cottonwood-willow riparian forests remaining in Arizona. On this walk we will discuss the interactions of the components that make up the ecosystem of the river and its importance to the surrounding area. The walks are 1.5 to 2 miles long over easy to moderate terrain. These are slower paced than a hike and suitable for most adults and children.

The San Pedro House is located 7 miles east of Sierra Vista on Highway 90, on the south side of the highway. Click here to get directions on Google Maps.

Bird Walks
San Pedro House
Wednesdays November 13 and 27, both at 7am.

The SPRNCA provides habitat for over 100 species of breeding birds. The San Pedro River is also a critical migration corridor that provides water, food, and shelter for another 250 migratory and wintering birds.

Novice and experienced bird watchers attend our bird walks to view the diverse avian community of the area. We usually observe 30-60 species on these popular walks, which last approximately three hours. Bring water, a hat, and binoculars. These walks can be moderately difficult on uneven terrain.

The San Pedro House is located 7 miles east of Sierra Vista on Highway 90, on the south side of the highway. Click here to get directions on Google Maps.

History Walks
Fairbank
Saturday, November 2, 1pm

Take a walk around Fairbank with FSPR docent Ron Stewart. It's a good way to learn a little history of the area and enjoy some time outdoors. Fairbank dates to 1882 when it grew up around a train depot — the closest to Tombstone. The optional walk to the cemetery is about a one-mile round trip on a trail which includes a short uphill section with poor footing and loose rock. You are welcome to participate in the tour and not go to the cemetery. Wear a hat, sun protection, appropriate clothing, and sturdy shoes. Bring water and snacks.

The tour meets in front of the Schoolhouse at the Fairbank Townsite. The entrance to the parking area is on the north side of the highway about 0.5 mile east of the San Pedro River bridge. Park in the outer lot and use the fenced trail to walk to the schoolhouse. "Fairbank AZ" is searchable in Google Maps.

History Walks
Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate
Saturday, November 9, 9am

Join a walking tour of the Spanish Presidio of Santa Cruz de Terrenate with FSPR docent Jeff Hustad. This fort was operational during the late 1770’s, the centerpiece for a planned Spanish occupation of the San Pedro River Valley that failed. This is a three-mile round trip over trails and uneven ground. The return walk is gradually uphill. There is no shade, and it will be hot on sunny days.

Meet at the Presidio Santa Cruz de Terrenate Trailhead, located 1.7 miles north of Highway 82 on the east side of In Balance Ranch Road. In Balance Ranch Road (N. Kellar Road on Google Maps) is a north turn off of Highway 82, 8.3 miles east of Whetstone, about 1 mile west of the San Pedro River. There is a large parking area at the Trailhead where the group will meet. "Presidio Santa Cruz Terrenate Trailhead" is searchable in Google Maps.

History Walks
Grand Central Mill
Saturday, November 16, 9am

Take a walk to the ruins of the historic Grand Central Mill with FSPR docent Merle Kilpatrick. During the Tombstone silver boom, this stamp mill operated 24 hours a day, processing the ore brought in from Tombstone by wagons. Learn about the mining history of the area and take a three-mile round trip walk to the mill site. This walk follows an uneven dirt and gravel trail. There is limited shade, and it will be hot on sunny days. Please realistically assess your ability to do this walk. Wear a hat, sun protection, appropriate clothing, and sturdy shoes. Bring water and snacks.

This tour meets at the Fairbank Townsite, which is along Highway 82, 10 miles east of the Highway 82/90 intersection in Whetstone. The entrance to the parking area is on the north side of the highway about 0.5 mile east of the San Pedro River bridge. The tour will meet near the Schoolhouse Museum just inside the Townsite. Park in the outer lot and use the fenced trail to walk to the schoolhouse. "Fairbank AZ" is directly searchable in Google Maps.

History Walks
Murray Springs
Saturday, November 23, 10 am

Join FSPR docent Dwight Long a tour of the Murray Springs mammoth kill site. Vance Haynes led an expedition here in the 1970s that found the remains of megafauna that had been hunted, killed, butchered, and consumed by the Clovis Paleo-Indians 13,000 years ago. This is an easy walk of less than a half mile, though it does include dirt steps into and out of a dry wash. There is no shade, and it will be hot on sunny days. Please realistically assess your ability to do this walk. Wear a hat, sun protection, appropriate clothing, and sturdy shoes, and bring water and a snack.

From E. Highway 90/AZ-90 in Sierra Vista, drive north on Mason Rd. for 1.28 miles and turn east. Meet the docent at the gate to the site. The entrance to the site is searchable as "Murray Springs Clovis Site" in Google Maps.

History Walks
Millville and Petroglyph Trail
Saturday, November 30, 10 am

Walk this trail with FSPR docent Richard Bauer to visit Millville, location of two historic silver mills, and an adjacent Indian petroglyph site. The tour will focus on the history of mining and the mills which were active during the Tombstone silver boom. This is about a 2 mile walk on an uneven dirt and gravel trail that crosses through a deep wash. There is no shade, and it will be hot on sunny days.

Meet at the Millville and Petroglyph Discovery Trail parking area. This trailhead is located 7.5 miles east of Sierra Vista on Charleston Road. This is not the parking area right by the river: look for the fire danger level sign on the north side of Charleston Road at the entrance to the parking lot, about .5 miles east of the river. Meet by the vault toilet. This location is searchable as "Millville and Petroglyph Discovery Trail" in Google Maps.