Vegetation and Wildlife Survey of Devil’s Canyon, Tonto National Forest (July 2007)

Devil’s Canyon is located in Pinal County Arizona a few miles east of Superior in the Globe Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest. The area is extremely rugged with deep canyons, rocky ridges, and uplands dominated by large boulders and towering spires. Pyroclastic welded tuft is the most common substrate throughout the area and creates beautiful cliffs, arches, and towers.

Vegetation and Wildlife Survey of Devil’s Canyon (Gaan Canyon), Tonto National Forest (May 2009)

Devil’s Canyon is located in Pinal County Arizona approximately 6 km east of the town of Superior in the Globe Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest. The area is generally rugged with deep canyons and is defined by its complex rock formations. Portions of Devil’s Canyon have stretches of large and dense riparian growth that support a high diversity of breeding birds and other wildlife.

Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. arizonicus (Arizona Hedgehog)

This cactus has a very limited distribution and is an Endangered Species. It survives in a narrow elevational zone from the upper Sonoran Desert into the Chapparal (sometimes Madrean Evergreen Woodland) that occurs in its range. Its range covers areas east of Superior, AZ in Gila and Pinal counties.

Here is a selection of photos of individual Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. arizonicus (Arizona Hedgehog) cactus, all taken in the wild.

Recovery plan for the Arizona hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. arizonicus)

The Arizona hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. arizonicus, was officially given Endangered status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 on October 25, 1979 (44 FR 61556). The taxon as considered here is known from only a few locations near the boundary between Gi1a and Pina1 counties, Arizona. The range lies between the towns of Miami and Superior.