Tucked between the Patagonia Mountains on the west, the Canelo Hills on the north and northeast and the Huachucka Mountains on the east sits a lovely high grassland referred to as the San Rafael Valley. We explored a small part of that valley and will return to explore more. It is just that good!

Trees dot the landscape of tall grass, dirt roads, and a rather constant background of mountains.

To explore the San Rafael Valley we drove a loop, of sorts, from Huachuca City to Sonoita, south on #83 to almost Canelo.  We took the road over Canelo Pass, FR 58, all the way into Patagonia and then back north to Sonoita. — To explore the San Rafael Valley we drove a loop, of sorts, from Huachuca City to Sonoita, south on #83 to almost Canelo. We took the road over Canelo Pass, FR 58, all the way into Patagonia and then back north to Sonoita.

Taken just as we crested Canelo Pass, on the south side.  We were looking west at the Patagonia Mountains. — Taken just as we crested Canelo Pass, on the south side. We were looking west at the Patagonia Mountains.

Parts of the dirt road were pretty good.  Other parts, well they were great liver massagers! — Parts of the dirt road were pretty good. Other parts, well they were great liver massagers!

Santa Cruz River bed.  Pretty dry!! — Santa Cruz River bed. Pretty dry!!

Just south of where we drove, there is the San Rafael State Natural Area. It is NOT open to the public but you can drive through on Forest Service Road #61. When we return to this area, we want to go further south towards Lochiel and take the Forest Service Road.