Sierra Vista, AZ
“SIERRA
VISTA OFFERS
A 360-DEGREE
MOUNTAIN VIEW
AND A COMFORT-
ABLE CLIMATE ALL
YEAR ‘ROUND.”
Welcome to Sierra Vista, Arizona, where
soaring mountains and cool canyon
trails entice you to lace up your hiking
boots and explore.
Nestled into the foothills of the
Huachuca Mountains at 4,633 feet,
Sierra Vista offers a 360-degree moun-
tain view and a comfortable climate all
year ‘round. And with 280-plus days of
sunshine, endless blue skies, and in-
credible starry nights, Sierra Vista is an
anytime destination.
The interplay of geography and eleva-
tion make for unbelievable photos at
sunset, with blasts of orange, pink, and
purple. The light can change in an in-
stant, so have your camera ready. Stay
out after dark for a star show, where the
Milky Way cuts across the sky in a trail
diamonds.
By day, take to the Huachuca Mountains
with boot or bike. The range rises
quickly from the valley floor to just over
9,400 feet. The Huachuca’s steep rise
and narrow valleys create diverse and
unique ecosystems geographically iso-
lated by elevation and distance from
neighboring peaks. Called “sky islands,”
these peaks rank as the second most bi-
ologically diverse ecosystem on Earth!
Sierra Vista’s Sky Islands Summit Chal-
lenge is May 26, and a great way to get
acquainted with the Huachucas while
putting your determination to the test.
Take on one, two, or three peaks—all in
one day—and enjoy knock-out views
along the way. Stash a camera in your
bag, along with an ample supply of H2O
and snacks.
Reward the Challenge at the same-day
Wine, Beer & Spirits Festival. Arizona is
earning a reputation for excellent wine,
and most of the state’s vineyards are
within an hour of Sierra Vista .The Festi-
val features 15 local wineries alongside
Arizona’s microbrews and distilleries,
plus great music to keep things lively.
134 | Summer 2018 | Adventure Outdoors
This corner of Arizona has been home
to the U.S. Army’s Fort Huachuca since
1887. Get on Post to nerd out at the Mili-
tary Intelligence and Soldier Heritage
Learning Center, a top-notch museum
with surveillance and espionage dis-
plays from the Revolutionary War
through today.