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About Windy Point
About Windy Point
Windy Point Vista, located on Mt. Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountain Range is a stunning sunset spot to visit. It is a pullout located along the Sky Island Scenic Byway (a winding road through the Coronado National Forest), but keep in mind, the drive up Mt. Lemmon in not for those afraid of heights, as there are narrow twisting roads the whole way up. As you drive up the byway the desert brush transforms into forest. The views from Windy Point are incredible. As you look out you can see the Santa Rita Mountain Range and the entire city of Tucson below. Watching the sun set as the city lights twinkle brighter the darker the sky gets is breathtaking. The rocks around Windy Point are sculptured rock pinnacles that look very cathedral-like. They have been worn down by wind and time, but are gorgeous nontheless. I reccomend leaving in the afternoon to drive up Mt. Lemmon, as the drive will take some time, especially if you want to stop at pullouts for pictures along the way!
Image: (USDA Forest Service)
Wildlife
Windy Point is rich with wildlife, being located in the Coronado National Forest. It is a rocky and wooded forest with mounains filled with natural resources and minerals. At high elevation points, the forest is a mixture of oak, border piñon pine, and alligator juniper. At the very highest peaks, one can find Parry's agave and Gambel oak. Arizona white oak, Arizona rosewood, Arizona sycamore, and catclaw acacia can aslo be found here. Many animals inhabit this forest as well. White-tailed deer, Montezuma quail, whiskered screech owls, and cottontail rabbits all share the woods.
White-Tailed Deer
White-Tailed Deer
White-Tailed Deer are a reddish-brown color, with a white underside to their tail. They are shy and nervous creatures and weigh from 110-300 lbs. They feed off of vegetation and can run up to speeds of 30 mph. Fawns typically travel with their mother, and males travel in packs of 3 or 4, unless it is mating season. If you are quiet enough, you may encounter one of these beautiful creatures. I myself have been lucky enough to experience these stunning animals on my hikes.
Image: (WesternWhitetail)
Montezuma Quail
Montezuma Quail
Montezuma Quails are stripped, streaked, and polka-dotted birds that are rotund and seemingly neckless. They have sickly shaped claws that they use to dig for food, like bulbs and bugs. These birds are quite shy, and spend very little time in the open. They typically don't move more than 150 feet a day, and freeze when danger approaches. They tend to exist in pairs or small groups.
Image: (Sanchez)
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