Pusch Ridge Wilderness

Pusch Ridge towers over Tucson and the surrounding desert as one of the most prominent features of the Santa Catalina Mountains. With its lower slopes dotted with cactus and its upper reaches dark with pines, this unmistakable landmark makes the point in no uncertain terms that this is a land of extremes in biodiversity as well as topography. Within the 56,933 acre Wilderness, elevations range from 2,800 to 8,800 feet. Deep canyons separated by razorback ridges crease the slopes rocky bluffs and pinnacles define the horizon. From the floor of Sabino Canyon to the upper slopes of Mt. Lemmon, life zones vary from Sonoran desert to subalpine forest. The wildlife community that inhabits such a varied setting is diverse as well. Black bears and coatimundis, Stellers jays and cactus wrens, saguaro cactus and Douglas fir can all be found here as components of a natural diversity that has few rivals.