In the late 19th century, Patagonia, Arizona thrived as a mining hub, supporting silver, lead, and zinc operations in the Patagonia Mountains. The arrival of the New Mexico and Arizona Railroad in 1882 further cemented its role as a critical transportation and commerce hub. As mining waned in the early 20th century, the town evolved into a haven for artists, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Patagonia is located in the biodiverse Sonoita Creek Valley, home to one of Arizona’s few year-round streams and vital habitats for numerous species.

One of only 11 National Scenic Trails in America, the Arizona Trail (AZT) is an 800-mile-long non-motorized trail that traverses the state of Arizona. On May 27, 2024, Austin Killips set the new fastest known time (FKT) for completing this trail by bike, riding 800 miles through a wide range of landscapes in 8 days, 23 hours, and 27 minutes. Read her story here.

As you ride past the Spirit Tree Inn, you will see a massive Fremont Cottonwood tree . “It symbolizes what this special property is all about. Solid, deeply rooted in the earth, reaching up and out, it takes only what it needs from the environment and returns comfort and shelter to those who encounter it.

In the days before water came in plastic bottles, the sight of a cottonwood tree signaled the presence of precious water to those who lived in the southwest. It was known by many as “the water tree,” pointing to an oasis where life could be sustained and spirits refreshed.”

This is the namesake tree that the Spirit World Gavel Grinder event was named after.

With giant cottonwood trees, a deeply burrowed canyon, and intriguing history, Harshaw Creek is primarily an ephemeral stream, sustained by groundwater during baseflow conditions and experiencing larger flows during storms. Large-scale mining activities began in the Harshaw Creek Basin in the mid-1800s and continued for about a century. These historic mining operations left behind waste rock piles, adits, and shafts, which contributed to environmental issues. In 2016, the U.S. Forest Service remediated the waste rock piles and addressed several adits and shafts to mitigate these impacts.

The ghost town of Harshaw offers a glimpse into the state’s mining past. Established in the late 19th century and named after prospector David Tecumseh Harshaw, the town flourished during Arizona’s silver boom, centered around the Hermosa Mill. By the 1880s, it boasted a thriving community with businesses, schools, and saloons, but the silver market crash led to its decline and eventual abandonment. Today, brick walls are all that remain to mark this once bustling town.

Giant sycamore trees in Arizona, particularly the Arizona sycamore, are vital to the state’s riparian ecosystems, providing soil stabilization, water purification, and essential habitat for wildlife. Their broad canopies create cool microclimates in arid landscapes, and their striking white bark makes them iconic symbols of resilience in desert environments. As keystone species and indicators of riparian health, these trees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance in Arizona’s waterways.

Originally from Placer, California, Angel Soto moved westward in the late 19th century, seeking opportunities in the mining industry. Settling in Harshaw with his wife, Josefa T. Soto, he became part of the community’s early development. Murdered by cattle rustlers in 1899, Angel Soto’s grave is one of the best-preserved markers in the Harshaw Cemetery and has become a poignant symbol of the town’s history. Soto’s grave, along with others marked by weathered headstones and simple markers, tells a story of resilience and the cultural heritage of the community that called Harshaw home.

Large-scale silver mining operations ceased in this area when silver prices crashed in 1893. But in 2024, South32, “a globally diversified mining and metals company,” proposed reopening production mining for silver, zinc, and manganese. According to the company, “Hermosa has the potential to become a globally significant producer of metals critical for a low-carbon future.” Opponents of the project cite many threats from the mine, including over consumption of water, water pollution, and an estimated 591 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution annually.

Cynthia Matus Morris was interviewed in 2011 by the Arizona State Library. In this interview, she talks about her family history through grandparents, their holiday celebrations, get-togethers with family, friends, and neighbors, and changes to the Patagonia region over the last 50 years. Her great-grandparents were Florentino Matus and Josefa Cruz, immigrants to the Harshaw area in the mid-1800’s. The Matus Family Cemetery, known to Cynthia as the Mowry Cemetery, stands to this day among the desert landscape.

At mile 18, you drop into the western edge of the San Rafael Valley, a high-altitude grassland basin nestled between the Patagonia Mountains and the Huachuca Mountains. Recognized for its ecological significance, the 90,000 acre valley is a relatively undisturbed, intact, and un-fragmented landscape. Portions of the valley are protected through private ranching conservation easements and public land management, ensuring its unique character and biodiversity remain intact.