Quartzite AZ (and 'surroundings')

[Durango1]

Yes, we know Quartzite itself is a zoo this time of year. But we'd like to see the spectacle. (Briefly) Let me share the context...

We're fleeing the cold and snow of Durango, CO and crave warmer climes. We've never explored SE Arizona so thought why not? Plus Sioux is an obsessed bird watcher and the Lower Colorado River is hopefully 'birdy' this time of year.

We're driving down Sunday and then have five days to boondock, light hiking and nature watching plus hopefully SUN! Then we need to drive back on Saturday but could meander back north sooner if there are some good (and still semi-warm) areas to see. (But we don't want to turn this into a driving marathon.)

We're thinking Kofa for sure. Other not-too-intense 4WD roads (light on people) with decent campsites/scenery suggestions would be MUCH appreciated. We have a 4WD Ram 3500 with a flatbed Grandby and good self-rescue capabilities but prefer never to use them! (At almost 67 I find myself increasingly 'conservative'.)

Many thanks, Steve

 

[Taku]

Burro Creek runs under the Joshua Tree Highway, decent camping and can be good birding (perennial stream). Also you can drive right up and boondock camp around the Gibraltar Mountains/East Gibralter/Swansea Mtns wilderness areas and Alamo Lake State Park has both developed and dispersed camping - birding can be good there too. Lot's of the BLM wilderness areas have roads to them (or bisect them) and can be very nice easy to hard hiking. Good interactive map at: https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/maps.php

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Steve, if you have the time, wander over to the area south of Tucson for birding. There are several canyons known for hummingbirds. Patagonia Lake often has rare sightings, plus in Patagonia there is the Paton House.

 

[Cayuse]

Madera Canyon south of Tuscon is a good spot for birding. I like KofA for exploring.

 

[Durango1]

Thanks folks! Burro Creek sounds interesting!

We birded south of Tucson including Madera last year. This time we're thinking in a strip from Kofa north to Kingman and willing to dart into California a bit before we dart back to Durango via I-40 next Saturday.

Any more suggestions welcomed!
Steve

 

[Taku]

If you plan on being along the Colorado, birding and fishing along Martinez Lake can also be worthwhile. Here are some other possibilities for birding: https://www.audubon.org/important-bird-areas/lower-colorado-river-valley#

Wish we were going!

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi D1
If you are planning a drive near Kingman LV ain’t that far. Here is a link to a bird watch place in Henderson. If you haven’t herd supposed to be pretty good. Hope it helps.
We are planning our annual trip to Quartzsite Jan 15 thru the weekend for my wife’s bead show.
Hope y’all have a great trip.
Russ


https://www.cityofhenderson.com/henderson-happenings/facilities/henderson-bird-viewing-preserve