Cochise County Fun Facts:

Sierra Vista and surrounding areas are on the cusp of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, with a finger of the Chihuahuan desert catching the very southeastern part of county (Bisbee and Douglas.) The Sierra Vista area is often referred to as the "Apache Highlands" or the "High Desert." Because of these environmental conditions, native plants found in this area have unique qualities.

Major Towns and Cities

• Bisbee, elevation 5300 ft
• Benson, elevation 3580 ft
• Douglas, elevation 3955 ft
• Sierra Vista, elevation 4623 ft
• Willcox, elevation 4156 ft

Valley and Peaks:

• San Pedro Valley, elevation 3600 ft
• Sam Simon Valley, elevation 3600 ft
• Sulphur Springs Valley, elevation 4200 ft
• Chiricahua Peak, elevation 9795 ft
• Dragoon Mtns., elevation 7,512 ft
• Huachuca Mtns., elevation 9,466 ft
• Mule Mtns., elevation 5,490 ft
• Whetstone Mtns., elevation

• soils are alkaline (limestone) with pH ranging from 5.6 to 11.0 
  (the average pH being between 7.4 - 8.4), high in salts, tight clay or caliche
• strong gusty winds, prevailing from the south
• limited rainfall - average annual rainfall is approximately 15 inches
  
  

Common plants found:

• Agave spp.
• Yucca spp.
• Prickly Pears (Opuntia spp.)
• Chollas (Cylindropuntia spp.)
• Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri)
• Cresotebush (Larrea tridentata)
• Acacias (Acacia neovernicosa and A. constricta)
• Littleleaf Sumac (Rhus microphylla)
• Mesquite (Prosopis spp.)

Common animals seen:

• Desert Cottontail
• The Greater Roadrunner
• Cactus Wren
• Curved Bill Thrasher
• Gambel's Quail
• Javelina
• White tailed Deer