DESERT TOWN
This town lies slightly to the south and east of the Apache Nation reservation. Safford (Western Apache: Ichʼįʼ Nahiłtį́į́) is a city in Graham County, Arizona, United States. The Pinaleño Mountains sit prominently to the southwest of town and have the greatest vertical relief of any mountain range in Arizona.
CLIMATE
The climate is hot semi-arid (Köppen: BSh) softened by the plateau rise (it receives enough rainfall not to fall into a hot desert, BWh[9]). It is much hotter than most places in eastern Arizona due to its relatively low elevation of 2,953 feet (900 m) at the Agricultural Center where records are kept, and often reaches temperatures almost as hot as found in Phoenix. In January, the average high temperature is 60 °F or 15.6 °C with a low of 29 °F or −1.7 °C. In July, the average high temperature is 98 °F or 36.7 °C with a low of 68 °F or 20 °C.
culture
Monastery of St. Paisius, Safford is an Orthodox women’s cenobitic community which follows the traditional rule of monastic life. The monastery, under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR)- Western Diocese is situated in the high Sonoran Desert at the base of Mount Graham.
The city’s largest employers are Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold, Safford Unified Schools, DRG Technologies Inc, Bowman Consulting Group, Open Loop Energy and Walmart. Recently, Freeport-McMoRan opened two mining facilities just north of the city that make up the largest new mining operation in North America. Arizona State Prison Complex – Safford also employs many residents, as does the Federal Correctional Institution, Safford. Agriculture is considered to be a major economic activity, with cotton fields and a gin located in the city. A billboard along US Highway 70 announces “Safford …. Copper, Cattle & Cotton”.
Observatories
Due to Safford’s relatively isolated dark sky location, the area has been chosen as a prime spot for hosting observatories. Safford and Thatcher’s street lights are low-output to improve the quality of the images taken by the observatories atop the mountain to the southwest of the city. The mountain for which the county is named, Mount Graham, is just a few miles southwest of the city. The mountain is home to the Mount Graham International Observatory (MGIO) and Large Binocular Telescope, or LBT. It, when completed, will be the largest binocular telescope in the world. The mountain also is home to the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, or VATT. It is also home to the Heinrich Hertz Submillimeter Telescope, or SMT. The Mount Graham International Observatory complex is operated by the University of Arizona.
ENVIRONMENT
The natural flora attractions in the area are primarily desert with a variety of cacti species found practically every where. Other desert plants include yerba manza (fond at some hot springs locations), chaparral, datura, and many more. Despite the harsh climate and limited water resources, many plants have adapted to survive in this arid environment. The plants found in the Arizona desert contribute an important role in the ecosystem. This includes several edible plants that are common to the area.
Although Safford is located in the desert, it is important to know that there are canyons, hot and cold springs, and mountainous forest regions within reasonable driving distance.
GILA BOX CANYON
The Gila Box Canyon West is situated approximately 23 miles to the east and north of Safford, Arizona, while the Gila Box Canyon East slightly more than 45 miles to the east and north of Safford, Arizona. The area includes four perennial waterways, the Gila and San Francisco rivers, and Bonita and Eagle creeks. This region is a very special riparian ecosystem abounding with plant and animal diversity. A canyon section, known as the Gila Box, is composed of patchy mesquite woodlands, mature cottonwoods, and sandy beaches. Impressive Gila Conglomerate cliffs tower more than 1,000 feet above the Gila River, and bighorn sheep are commonly spotted. Bonita Creek, a key tributary of the Gila River, is lined with large cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows.
From Safford to reach the west side, travel five miles east on U.S. Highway 70 to Solomon. At Solomon, turn left on the Sanchez Road and follow the road to the end of the pavement. From there, follow the signs to Bonita Creek and the lower end of the Gila Box.
To reach the east side from Safford, take U.S. 70 east 10 miles to its junction with U.S. Highway 191. Turn left and follow U.S. 191 about 29 miles to milepost 160, which is four miles south of Clifton. Turn left onto the signed Black Hills Back Country Byway. Follow the road four miles to the conservation area.
Hot and Cold Springs
The north of Safford is an unincorporated settlement of Eden, where several hot and cold springs existed. To this day, only one remains active and is situated on private land. Indian Hot Springs has a long history in the area and is registered as a private holding. Indian Hot Springs had been known as a party palace by early Mormon settlers, a place to where the settlers would ride horses and wagons nearly a day’s travel from Safford to spend weekends among the tamarack trees and hot springs participating in publicly undocumented activities. There are many stories about this oasis in the desert, and for the past decade has served as a spiritual and healing sanctuary where close friends gather, hosting yoga, drum circles, guided meditation, and trust building activities and developing community relations.
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
This protected 19,410 acres of Eden is perfect for primitive, adventure-based recreation like horseback riding, hiking, camping and hunting. A permit from the BLM is required to access this highly desired adventureland.
Roper Lake State Park
Vistors can make a reservaton to spend the night under the Southern Arizona stars at lakeside cabins or campsites at Roper State Park near Safford. Roper State Park is located approximately
Mt. Graham
Our favorite destination when in the Safford area is at Mount Graham. Riggs Flat campground has a small but beautiful lake where the elevation is approximately 8,000 feet. Although the area is technically considered part of Wilcox, Arizona, we have always considered it as shared between Wilcox and Safford, ascending from either side.
There are plenty of campgrounds along the crest and near the summit, and on weekends you will meet many locals who escape the sweltering heat in the valley below. In the valley below, there is Ash creek that runs near the the town of Pima and has an off chute known by the locals as Blackberry Creek. There is gentle flowing stream and a small camp ground along the water’s edge.