Rugged terrain, diverse plant and animal communities, old west history and plenty of solitude are available for lovers of wilderness in the Galiuros. These rugged block fault mountains rise over 3,700 feet above the semi-desert savannas of the Sulphur Springs and San Pedro Valleys in southeastern Arizona. The 76,317-acre Galiuro Wilderness encompasses the mid to upper slopes of the mountains as they rise from golden grasslands, through dense thickets of evergreen oak, to stands of ponderosa pine. Douglas-fir and bigtooth maple inhabit cooler sheltered areas and a stand of aspen cloaks the northern slope of 7,671-foot Bassett Peak, the highest in the range. Two major canyons, Rattlesnake and Redfield, and twin ridges running northeast to southwest form the dominant geologic features of the area. A trail runs along each of these ridges providing access to a variety of connecting trails and spurs. The Galiuros are rich in both natural and cultural history. Wolves roamed these mountains until the mid-1950’s. And black bear and mountain lion are still plentiful today. At Power Cabin, deep within the mountain range, one of the most famous of old west shoot-outs took place in 1918.
Directions
Major access points are at Deer Creek Trailhead at the end of FR 253, by way of the Powers Garden Trail #96 off the Aravaipa Road and at the Redfield Canyon Trailhead at the end of FR 691. Trails in Wilderness: Major trails include Powers Garden #96, East Divide #287, West Divide #289, Tortilla #254, Sycamore #278, Corral Canyon #291, Rattlesnake #285, High Creek # 290.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 32° 36′ 37.4400″ N
Longitude 110° 19′ 48.7200″ W