Introduction
The United States Congress designated the White Canyon Wilderness (
map) in 1990 and it now has a total of
5,790 acres.
All of this wilderness is located in
Arizona and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Description
Intricately carved and scenically splendid White Canyon runs north-south through the middle of this Wilderness. Narrow in places, this canyon's walls rise as much as 800 feet above the bottom. Throughout you'll find delicate, eroded formations and numerous side canyons. Sand, slickrock, and sporatic willows cover the canyon's bottom. The Rincon, an enormous, amphitheater-like escarpment, stands near the southern boundary. Set in the rugged southeast portion of the Mineral Mountains, this Wilderness features a variety of vegetation from saguaro cacti to chaparral. When rainstorms flood the area, especially during summer "monsoons," waterfalls pour over the rim of White Canyon, or form quiet pools within sculpted terraces. Wildlife includes a myriad of birds, Black bears and mountain lions are permanent residents.
