Birding Peppersauce Canyon Near Tucson, Arizona
Campground Below Mt. Lemmon is Rich with Migrating & Resident Birds
Oct 2, 2009
Peppersauce Canyon is a treed oasis on the north, or "back" side of Mt. Lemmon, surrounded by oak, juniper and chaparral. The canyon and the campground within it provide a haven both for resident and migratory birds.
The National Forest Campground in Peppersauce Canyon
Peppersauce Campground is a small campground at the base of a 4-wheel drive road that climbs the north side of Mt. Lemmon. The 20-mile road beyond the campground, parts of which are not maintained, is extremely rough in spots and requires high clearance. It joins the Catalina Highway at 8,000 feet, just below the village of Summerhaven.
Peppersauce Campground is considered one of nine campgrounds on Mt. Lemmon, although it is far from the other eight. There are several individual sites, a reservations-only group site, tables, fire grills, pit toilets and drinking water. An on-site host manages the campground. The overnight camping fee is $10 and the day use fee is $5. Both fees are halved for holders of Golden Age or Golden Access cards.
Elevation at the campground is 4,600 feet, and a seasonal stream runs through the grounds, nourishing enormous Arizona sycamores, Velvet ash and oaks. Trees are thick within the canyon, providing excellent cover for the many birds attracted to the site.
Birding Peppersauce Campground
Adequate parking is found just outside the campground entrance, and the remote campground is rarely full. The daily use fee is required for anyone using the facilities or birding through the campground.
Birders should be observant along the dirt road to the campground, where one is likely to see Greater Roadrunner, Phainopepla, Scrub Jay and soaring Turkey vultures, with an occasional Zone-tailed Hawk mixed in. Pulling to the side and checking road-side trees as you descend to the parking area can be productive, as well. Summer Tanagers are frequent visitors here, as are Hutton's Vireos and Lark Sparrows. This is also the area where a rare Broad-winged Hawk was discovered by a Tucson Audubon field trip in September, 2009.
Tall trees along the seasonal creek at the parking area are also worthwhile. Migrating warblers, including Black-throated Gray, Hermit, Orange-crowned, Wilson's and Townsend's are often found here. From the parking area, enter the campground and walk to the left, past the host's site. Follow the dirt road to the gate into Sycamore Canyon Academy, then turn right and return along the creek bed back to the parking area outside the campground. Resident and migrating birds common to the camping area include Summer and Western Tanagers, Nashville Warbler, Western Wood Pewee, Cedar Waxwing, Black Phoebe, Northern Cardinal, and several woodpeckers, including Gila, Ladder-backed, Acorn and Northern Flicker.
Birding the Mine Road From Peppersauce Campground Toward Rice Canyon
The mine road leads from the outside parking area along the creek bed. The road bed is rocky but easy to walk, and the elevation change is gradual. However, it can be hot and dry, and birders should carry sun protection and plenty of water. Excellent birding can be found along the first mile and a half of the road, which is bordered by Alligator juniper, Mexican Blue oak, Agave and Ocotillo. Birders should look for Bridled Titmouse, Arizona Woodpecker, Townsend's Solitaire, Chipping and Black-chinned Sparrows, Mexican Jays, Dark-eyed Junco and Canyon Wren.
About a mile and a half from the parking area, the road enters a treed glen with a spring, a good place to have a snack and do more birding before returning to the campground. Some water is almost always present here, attracting a variety of birds, including Painted Redstart, Lazuli Bunting, Lesser Goldfinch and Red-naped Sapsucker.
Getting to Peppersauce Canyon and the Campground
From Tucson, take Oracle Road, highway 77, north to the town of Oracle. Follow American Avenue through Oracle, turning right at the sign to Oracle State Park. Two miles beyond the park entrance, the pavement ends, and Peppersauce Campground is located another five miles along the dirt road. The road is dirt and gravel, but suitable for passenger cars.
Peppersauce Canyon Birding Near Tucson, Arizona
The National Forest Campground in Peppersauce Canyon is an easy day trip from Tucson. The campground is a treed oasis on the north slopes of Mt. Lemmon, where a day's birding can yield 50 species. This is also the area where a Broad-winged Hawk, a rare visitor to Arizona,made a recent appearance.
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