Madera Canyon - Mt. Wrightson - Sky Islands

In this video I explored the flora and fauna of Madera Canyon and the ascent to the top of Mt. Wrightson. This mountain is part of the Santa Rita Mountains that make up one of the Sky Island Archipelago in southern Arizona and northern Mexico. It's about an hour due south of Tucson. I explored several unique tree species, such as the Arizona Madrone and the Apache Pine. The Sky Islands are world renowned by biologists and botanists alike for their abundant diversity of life. These mountains lie at a convergence zone of 4 major ecosystems: the Sonoran Desert to the west and the Chihuahuan Desert to the east, and also the Rocky Mountains from the north and the Sierra Madre's to the south. It's a special place, and the animals that call this mountain their home need our help. The rushed border wall is going to cut most land animals off from southern populations of their species. This will cause some of these animals, like the jaguar, to become extinct in Arizona. We need a border that allows for wildlife corridors. We have the technology to still monitor those areas while still allowing these animals to connect to a larger genetic pool.
The hike to Mt. Wrightson's summit is a 10 mile round trip from the Madera Canyon parking lot with a 4,000 ft elevation gain.
Intro Song: Morning Spirit by Estun-Bah/Tony Duncan

[@thomasphillips8539]

Your passion is apparent. Nice job.

[@manjulchandola]

What an incredible video! It is exciting and educational at the same time! The only thing missing was an actual jaguar sighting!🤣

[@keeparizonawild156]

Thank you so much for your kind words. We actually did a whole video about jaguars in Arizona so check out the channel.

[@manjulchandola]

I'm definitely going to watch that!@@keeparizonawild156

[@randyhanlon4746]

Great job and nice ecology lesson. I'm retired and considering moving to the Sierra Vista area. I like the elevation at 4600 and seeing trees and grasslands in Az. I'm fascinated with the Sky Islands. Thanks for sharing your knowlege. Ran Hanlon Altoona Iowa.

[@keeparizonawild156]

Thanks again Randy for watching. You’re seriously gonna love Madera Canyon as well. Happy for your move to the Southwest.

[@johngould7548]

I’m envious of your “turbo mode” of hiking near the top, hah. Looks like an amazing area!

[@keeparizonawild156]

The Sky Islands of southern AZ and northern Mexico are the most biodiverse spots in North America. Thanks for checking it out John.

[@johngould7548]

@@keeparizonawild156 I camped in the Chiracahuas last early May. Amazing area for birds. Hope to do a backpack there in the future.

[@rodrigomendez3161]

Awesome video man. Madera Canyon is a beautiful place. I’m up on Mt Lemmon but need to visit Madera more often. Cheers!

[@keeparizonawild156]

Thank you rodrigo. Those sky islands, including Mt Lemon and Madera, are natural treasures. Have you been to the Chiricahua’s yet?

[@brookec5208]

Nice intro and great info! Thanks for this!

[@keeparizonawild156]

Brooke Culberson thank you wifey

[@Apric0tJams]

Mushroom diversity in the sky islands rivals the Amazon!

[@keeparizonawild156]

If that’s true then I’m blown away. What special mountains

[@steeb8053]

Awesome video!

[@JohnDoe45762]

Is Arizona white oak the most common oak or is Emory oak?

[@keeparizonawild156]

Emory or gamble oaks seems to be the most prolific in most area I’ve been to around the state. By the way I loved you in Castaway.