The Santa Ritas are a relatively tall Sky Island. Their basal area is large, but the higher country is steep and does not cover a lot of ground. It is well known for its main north facing Madera Canyon, which boasts a great list of rare Mexican bird records, among others. This sierra also has quite extensive low to medium elevation oak woodland and oak savannah. It has some of the nicest grasslands in the Sky Islands.
A historical account including extensive stay in southern Arizona (Tucson, Tubac, Santa Rita Mountains, Sonoita, and other areas) from the early 1860s. This is one of the most depopulated and dangerous times generally in southern Arizona. Apaches fought back against intruders extensively in this period, to such a point many people of European ancestry left entirely; many settlements were abandoned by Mexicans and Americans both. Even the fort at Tucson was close to abandonment at this time, especially with uncertainties and battles of the Civil War.
