2014 Map of Penitas Hills

About this map

Peñitas Hills and the southern edge of the Sierrita Mountains define this arid landscape in southern Pima County. The terrain is a complex network of seasonal drainages, where the Peñitas Wash, Champurrado Wash, and Papago Wash carve paths through the desert floor. High points such as Baldy Peak and the Black Hills rise above the basin, while Tascuela Canyon cuts through the northern reaches. This 2014 survey documents a landscape focused on water management in an environment where moisture is fleeting. A system of tanks, including the Border Tank, Buddy Tank, and Batamote Tank, are strategically placed to capture runoff from the surrounding slopes. The presence of W Batamote Rd provides one of the few named corridors through this remote reach of the Sonoran Desert.