OUT OF THE ORDINARY
TUCSON MOUNTAINS ACTIVITIES
THAT ARE OUT OF THE ORDINARY
The Tucson Mountains offer many adventures that are out of the ordinary. You can soar sky-high with a ride in a hot air balloon, ultralight, or helicopter. Or, come down to earth and skydive from 10,000 feet. Do you prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Consider renting an ATV, hiking to an abandoned mine, or visiting ancient Native American Petroglyphs. Search below for an “out of the ordinary” activity to stimulate your mind or get your adrenaline going.
ABANDONED MINES, HOMESTEADS & KILNS
ABANDONED MINES
The Tucson Mountains are the remains of a massive collapsed volcano. The calderon left by the eruption was later filled by erosion and a collection of large rocks. Today this jumble of rocks is referred to as “The Tucson Mountain Chaos” and can easily be observed from Gates Pass.
Masses of granite and quartz veins are apparent throughout the area, and the possibility of valuable minerals led to prospecting. Early mining activity started in the 1690s after the founding of San Xavier Mission. The first mining claim, The Nequilla Mine, was staked in 1867. The Amole Mining District was created in the early 1870s and encompassed the Tucson Mountains. It was one of the earliest recorded mining districts in North America.
Between the 1890s and the First World War, numerous mining ventures scoured the mountains looking for copper, silver, gold, and other minerals. The area has over 200 prospector pits and abandoned mines along with scattered remains of numerous mining camps. Unfortunately, the excavations yielded low-grade ore, and the cost of operations far outweighed the mineral wealth. More money was made by zealous mine owners falsely promoting unproductive mines to unknowing investors influenced by questionable newspaper publications. Mining continued to operate intermittently and all closed by the 1950s. Efforts to reopen the Old Yuma Mine failed in the 1980s.
Many of the trails in the Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park were original mining roads and provided access to some of the larger mines. The link below provides details on visiting 4 of the larger mines in the area. Some of which have fascinating histories that include kidnapping and embezzlement. Please note, entry into the mines is prohibited and extremely unsafe.
The Amole Mining District
Historical Brief:
www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/historyculture/upload/Amole-Mining-District-Brief-2.pdf
Database of minerals, rocks, meteorites and the localities they come from.
www.mindat.org/loc-31309.html
BOWEN HOMESTEAD STONE HOUSE
The Bowen Homestead, also known as the Bowen Stone House, was built by Sherry and Ruby Bowen in the early 1930s. They moved to Tucson and homesteaded the property, thinking the climate would be suitable for Ruby’s health. Sherry Bowen was a typesetter and later an editor of the Arizona Daily Star. Ruby wrote for the Desert Magazine of the Southwest and a book, “Arizona Homestead: An Adventure in Beauty.” about her experiences in the cabin. They homesteaded 2,000 acres. They had a child born in the home in 1943 and eventually moved back east in 1944. The house was incorporated into the Tucson Mountain Park in 1983.
The house walls and fireplace were built from local rock. The home had numerous large windows, two fireplaces, and a bathtub. The floors were concrete, the walls were once paneled with redwood siding, and it had a tin roof. Water was provided by a windmill, well, and a small pond. Only the walls stand today because a fire consumed the roof and interior in 1970.
The location is a favorite destination for local hikers. The most convenient access is from the Camino de Oeste Trailhead and also from the Bowen Trailhead west of the JW Marriott Resort in Starr Pass. It is a rather easy short hike (1.5 miles out and back) from either location.
Bowen Homestead Stone House
Tucson Mountain Park
Two Recommended Routes:
Camino De Oeste Trailhead
415 N Camino de Oeste
Tucson, AZ 85745
The trailhead is at the end of Camino De Oeste Road and provides access to the Yetman Trail. The Yetman trail will go dirctly to and past the Stone House. Distance is roughly .75 miles.
Bowen Trailhead
3768 West Starr Pass Boulevard
Tucson AZ, 85745
The trailhead is on the NW side of the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. Follow Bowen trail to the Yetman Trail and keep left at each junction. Distance is roughly .75 miles.
LIME KILNS AND THE “MYSTERIOUS” TUCSON ARTIFACTS
Limestone kilns operated in Tucson from the 1880s to 1920. Limestone was excavated and then transported by horsedrawn wagons to several kilns in the area. The process of converting calcium carbonate to quicklime took up to 4 days and 15 cords of wood. Lime was essential for local manufacturing and also to make plaster to coat the inside of adobe houses and buildings in Tucson.
A court order in 1920 closed their operations because of the environmental damage they caused. Kiln operators clear cut Palo Verde and Mesquite trees to operate the kilns, essentially denuding the land. It had a damaging effect on the Saguaros because the trees provided cover and protection to young seedlings.
Remnants of the kilns are still visible today. There are three known locations in the Tucson Mountains area:
Silverbell — Drive north on Silverbell Road past West Sunset Road. The remnants are on the west side of the road .4 of a mile after you cross West Sunset Rd. This also the site of the mysterious “Tucson Artifacts” found in the 1920s that some believe are remnants of early explorers.
Gates Pass — A pair of remnants are northwest of a right side pullout after you pass over Gates Pass.
Sus Picnic Area — The Sus Lime Kiln is located on a slope near a wash just west of the Sus Picnic Area and Bajada Wash Trailhead in the Saguaro National Park. There is also a limestone debris pile located 45′ northwest of the kiln.
Lime Kilns
Tucson Mountain Park
Saguaro National Park – West
- Resource Brief regarding limestone kilns in the Saguaro National Park:
https://www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/historyculture/modern-history.htm
- Wikipedia page regarding the “Mysterious” Tucson Artifacts:
- History Channel episode regarding the “Mysterious” Tucson Artifacts:
https://www.history.com/shows/america-unearthed/season-1/episode-10
Definitely out of the ordinary!
ASTRONOMY
SPENSER’S OBSERVATORY
Spencer’s Observatory is Tucson’s only eco-friendly spot for Astronomy and Astrophotography! The privately-owned observatory is located near the southwestern entrance to Tucson Mountain Park next to Cat Mountain Lodge bed and breakfast.
The custom-built observatory has a retractable roof that presents a panoramic view of the dark skies that blanket the Tucson Mountain Range. You will view the stars and planets through a Celestron 14″ SCT telescope on a GoTo Mount, a 10″ Meade LX200 SCG telescope, and a Piggy Back 4″ Stellar View Refractor. Appointments are by reservation. Rates are available for individuals and groups.
Guided Star Tours — Intended for first-time stargazers and “old pros.” Tours are given by Robby Tackett, the observatory manager and local astronomer who was instrumental in the observatory construction process and telescope selection.
Astrophotography Workshop — Explore the art of wide-field landscape Astrophotography and Deep Space Photography (through telescopes).
This is a 1 or 2-night workshop depending on which areas you want to explore. The workshop is presented by Sean Parker, an award-winning professional photographer based in Tucson.
Star Parties — Spencer’s Observatory has a private patio perfect for birthdays, reunions, anniversaries and other parties. It is a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the stars under the clear, unobstructed view of the beautiful Arizona sky. Contact the Cat Mountain Lodge for additional information. An “out of the ordinary way” to throw a party!
Spencer’s Observatory
2720 S. Kinney Road
Tucson, AZ 85735
520-578-6085
Guided Star Tours
2 hour package. Up to 5 people.
3 hour package. Up to 5 people.
Basic Astrophotography Workshop
Contact Sean Parker:
www.seanparkerphotography.smugmug.com/Workshops
FALCONRY
SKY ISLAND FALCONRY EXPERIENCE
Sky Island Falconry Experience is a USFWS licensed Falconry School with Falconry Classes, Hawk Walks, Owl Encounters and Parties too!
The Falconry demonstration will allow you to work closely with one of their hawks, calling them to your gloved hand. Get hands-on with one of their owls and learn what makes these unique birds of prey such an important part of the ecosystem and a bird you might want to encourage to hang around your yard. You’ll also meet one of their falcons, the fastest animals on the planet. You will learn about the history of Falconry, how it is currently practiced, and the difference between the birds used in Falconry. They’ll discuss the flight styles, identification, and conservation of various birds of prey. This encounter is intended to bring you closer to birds of prey and give you a deeper understanding of their lives and ecology.
Sky Island Falconry
14861 S. Garvey Road Tucson, AZ 85736
and/or
White Stallion Ranch
9251 W Twin Peaks Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743
https://skyislandfalconry.org/
Seasonal classes include:
Meet the Raptors – Apr-Sep
Hawk Walk – Oct-Mar
The Triple Threat Raptor Experience – Nov-Mar
Introduction to Falconry – Oct-Apr
CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORP PROJECTS (CCC)
CCC PROJECTS
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created by President Roosevelt to provide jobs to young men and improve the nation’s natural resources. The nationwide program ran from 1933 to 1942 and enrolled 3 million men. Enrollees made $30 per month, of which $25 was sent home to support their families.
“The CCC Boys” voluntarily enrolled for six months and lived in camps of 200 men ran by the US Army. Two camps were established in the Tucson Mountains. Camp Papago was located at the current site of the Clifford Ray Campgrounds. All that remains today is the rock base supporting the flagpole. Camp Pima was located on the southwest corner of the Sandario & Rudasill intersection. It had 32 buildings, including four barracks, a kitchen, mess hall, rec hall, laundry, barbershop, and a reading room. When WWII started, the program disbanded, and the camps were disassembled.
The CCC built the infrastructure in the Tucson Mountain Park and what was later to become the Saguaro National Park. They built five picnic areas with ramadas and restrooms, 26 check dams, miles of roads and hiking trails, razed shacks, filled mines, and collected litter.
Many of the ramadas and other buildings were rebuilt in the 1960s when the Saguaro National Monument was created. There are still many structures that are preserved to closely resemble their original appearance including:
The Ez-Kim-In-Zin picnic area is located near the Esperanza Trailhead on Golden Gate Road in the Saguaro National Park.
The Mam-A-Gah picnic area is 1 mile up the King Canyon Trail near Native American petroglyphs.
A check dam is located near the Sus picnic area on Hohokam Rd in the Saguaro National Park. An abandoned mine kiln is also in the area.
The Gates Pass overlook building is a short hike up the hill from the overlook pagoda. A second building at the pass, which use to be a restroom, can be seen from the eastern end of the parking lot several hundred yards away.
The Civilian Conservation Corps
- Resource Brief regarding the CCC at Saguaro National Park:
www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/historyculture/upload/CCC-Misc-Features-Brief.pdf - Map of Saguaro National Park and Tucson Mountain Park:
www.saguaronationalpark.com/pdf/Saguaro-West-Map.pdf - History of the CCC in the Tucson Mountains. Refer to pages 64 – 83:
http://npshistory.com/publications/sagu/adhi.pdf
HELICOPTER RIDES
VOLARE HELICOPTERS
Volare Helicopters provides sightseeing tours, flight training, and aerial photography in Southern Arizona. They operate out of Ryan Airfield, just west of Tucson. The helicopter has three passenger seats. There is a two-person minimum, three-person maximum per flight. They can do back-to-back flights for groups larger than three. Volare offers six different packages.
Gates Pass — 20 minutes
Zip around the Tucson Mountains and through Gates Pass. See the Saguaro National Park, the Desert Museum, and Old Tucson en route.
Downtown Tucson — 25 minutes — (weekends only)
Gaze on the expanse of the city from 500 feet. Highlights include A-Mountain, Congress Street, and the University of Arizona.
Catalina Foothills — 30 minutes
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Catalina Mountains and rolling foothills. Beautiful homes and resorts speckle the hillside.
Mt Lemmon — 35 minutes
Mt. Lemmon is the highest peak in the Catalina Mountains, with an elevation of 9,157 feet. We climb to about 7,000 feet winding through the mountains and valleys.
The Boneyard — 40 minutes – – (weekends only)
See exclusive views of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), the world’s largest aircraft boneyard.
The Ultimate — 55 minutes
For the ultimate helicopter experience, this tour gives you a taste of all our destinations in one epic flight.
Volare Helicopters
9698 W Tucson-Ajo Hwy,
Tucson, AZ 85635
520-917-0337
Open 8am-6pm daily
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
TUCSON HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides provides a bird’s eye view of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson Mountains, Saguaro National Park West, and Avra Valley. Balloon rides offer a thrilling and yet peaceful experience. There is no sense of motion or swaying in a balloon, and the basket feels stable and secure, which eases fears of those with a fear of heights.
Landmarks & Wildlife — The captain will point out any interesting landmarks and wildlife such as rabbits, deer, fox, and coyotes that you may have the chance of seeing from above.
Sunrise & Champagne — Tucson Hot Air Balloon Rides offers ‘Sonoran Sunrise’ flights followed by a champagne brunch. The flights are over an hour-long, sometimes much longer, depending on wind conditions and landing areas. Flights will travel 10 to 15 miles at altitudes typically between 500 ft and 4000 ft above the Tucson area.
In-Flight Photos — The crew will capture your flight on camera and provide you with a link to your picture files.
Great for gifts, adventures, birthdays, anniversaries, marriage proposals, corporate events, or to cross off your bucket list!
Tucson Balloon Rides
3079 W Avenida Cresta,
Tucson, AZ 85745
520-235-5355
Open daily Oct – April
PAINTBALL
BKW PAINTBALL
BKW Paintball is a six-acre outdoor private paintball facility catering towards birthday parties, corporate team building events, retirement parties, school events, and private parties. BKW opened in 2010 and offers 7 different fields that can be combined for larger playing fields. They are open to the public on Saturdays. All other times require a reservation.
Admission Fee — includes all-day compressed air [3000/4500psi].
Rental Paintball Gun Package — includes gun rental, mask rental, and 500 paintballs. Rented paintball guns must use paintballs sold by BKW. If you own your equipment, you may use your paintballs.
An 8,100 sq ft Shaded Area — includes tables, FREE drinking water, fan coolers for the hot days, and infrared heaters for the cooler months.
Cold sports drinks and snacks are available for sale.
First-time players are paired with players to make sure skill levels are evenly matched. The minimum age to play is ten years old. Players 17 years old and younger must have a parent/guardian fill out the lower portion of the waiver.
BKW Paintball
11600 N Sanders Rd
Marana, AZ 85653
520-365-9895
Open to the public on Saturdays:
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Closed June, July, August.
DISRUPTIVE PAINTBALL
Disruptive Paintball is a family-owned business and Tucson’s largest outdoor paintball and airsoft field, located in Marana, AZ. Started in 2003, they have grown to entertain over 100,000 new paintballers and airsofters.
Disruptive Paintball is a subsidiary of Disruptive Products Inc., which manufactures paintball apparel & accessories and also has a retail and online store that caterers to the sport of paintball and airsoft. Disruptive Products serves the military, law enforcement agencies, along with other retailers and players.
Group Discounts — Groups of 10 or more players qualify for free reservations and extra paint.
Private Parties & Group Functions — Disruptive Paintball welcomes corporate, family, bachelor/bachelorette, church, birthday parties, or any other occasions where you wish to play as a group.
Team Building — Paintballing is a fun yet competitive way of developing communication skills, leadership, planning, rapid reaction, and time/resource management abilities
Paintball and airsoft provides an action-packed, adrenalin pumping, way to entertain!
Disruptive Paintball
10218 W. Tangerine Rd
Marana, AZ 85654
520-730-9414
520-404-7496 (Private parties/reservations)
Paintball Field Hours
Sat-Sun:
9 AM-12:30 PM / 2 PM-5:30 PM
Airsoft Field
Reservation Only
Call 520-730-9414
Retail Store
1683 W. Grant Road, #102
Tucson, AZ 85745
(520) 293-5850
Tues-Fri: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat: 10 am – 5pm
Closed Sun/Mon
PETROGLYPHS & ANCIENT RUINS
PETROGLYPHS
Petroglyphs are rock carvings made by pecking directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a stone hammer. When the desert varnish (or patina) on the surface of the rock was chipped off, the lighter rock underneath was exposed, creating the petroglyph.
The petroglyphs in the Tucson Mountains were left by the ancient Hohokams as early as AD 850. Images are often animals, humans, plants, astrological objects, and abstract designs, including spirals and squiggly lines.
Possible purposes of rock art include hunting, fertility or spiritual symbols; boundary markers or landmarks; records of important events; clan symbols; and solstice and calendar markers.
There are 21 one known petroglyph locations in the Tucson Mountains. The link below provides directions to visit three of the most accessible.
ANCIENT RUINS — LOS MORTEROS
Los Morteros is the site of a large Native American village in the Tucson Mountains inhabited by the Hohokams between about A.D. 850 and 1300. It is a county-owned archaeology conservation area open to the public.
Archaeologists named the site “Los Morteros” for the many mortars found in boulders within site. The Native American’s used these mortars to grind mesquite pods, beans, and other seeds into flour. Archaeologists consider the area an essential cultural resource because many of the features are undisturbed, including an intact ballcourt, an irrigation canal system, trincheras, and numerous other intact features.
The location was also an encampment of Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza during his trek north to settle San Francisco. The camp was called Puerto del Azotado – “The Mountain Pass of the Whipped Man” – after two muleteers tried to run away from the expedition. At de Anza’s request, they were captured by Indians and punished with 12 lashings.
Also near the location was the Pointer Mountains Butterfield Stage Station. The area is now more commonly referred to as Point of the Mountain.
Directions: Take Silverbell Road North from Tucson. Turn right on Linda Vista and drive a short way to the site entrance with signs.
Please leave all archaeological sites undisturbed. Do not collect any artifacts.
Los Morteros
Silverbell & Linda Vista Rd
Marana, AZ
Los Moteros Website:
www.pima.gov/cmo/admin/reports/ConservationReport/PDF/Chapters/Cultural/Los%20Morteros.pdf
De Anza Trail Website:
www.nps.gov/juba/learn/historyculture/arizona-anza-trail-sites.htm
SKYDIVE
SKYDIVE MARANA
Skydive Marana offers the thrill of a lifetime with a freefall or tandem freefall from 10,000 ft with the stunning views of Avra Valley. You will be accompanied by experienced instructors who will train you on the equipment, aerodynamics of your body position, and how to assist flying the parachute.
Safety Focused — Skydiving is a high-risk activity that can lead to serious injury or even death. Since their inception in 1991, they have earned a gold standard safety record due to their focus on staff, equipment, and aircraft.
Group Discounts — Skydive Marana offers discounts for groups of 4 or more. If you have a large group or are planning a party/event, call for rates and availability.
Gifts Certificates — Give a gift of the thrill of a lifetime. Gift certificates allow you to purchase a skydive for someone but allow them to schedule at their convenience.
Video & Photograph — Video and still pictures will include some prejump footage, up close freefall footage, and the after jump excitement.
Their modern facility at the Marana Regional Airport can accommodate over 100 personnel. It includes full parachute loft services, including packing main reserves, maintenance, repairs, and an on-site rigger examiner.
Skydive Marana
Marana Regional Airport
11700 W Avra Valley Rd # 88
Marana, AZ 85653
520-682-4441
ULTRALIGHT RIDES
ARIZONA ULTRALIGHT AVIATION
Arizona Ultralight Aviation is primarily a flight school specializing in instruction for light-sport aircraft licensing and certification of ultralight pilots for over 25 years.
There is a difference between “ultralight” and “light-sport aircraft.” Simply described . . . Ultralights are single-seaters with 5 gallons of fuel maximum and a maximum level flight speed of 55 knots calibrated airspeed. Light-sport aircraft are either single or two-seaters with no fuel limits and a maximum level flight speed of 120 knots calibrated airspeed. At Arizona Ultralight Aviation, you will find both types, but they primarily fly light-sport aircraft.
Introductory flights — Three options are available for introductory flights starting at 20, 30, and 60 minutes.
Flight Instruction — While no training is required for ultra-lights it is HIGHLY recommended. They offer a complete training program for the light-sport certification — everything from introductory flights through ground school, dual instruction, and checkride.
Additional Services — They also offer service and maintenance of ultralight, experimental and light-sport aircraft, sales of aircraft and parts, and tiedown and storage of aircraft.
Introductory flights start as low as $50. The owners caution you to be careful . . . the sport is very addicting!
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