2011 Map of Ruelas Canyon

About this map

The Tortolita Mountains dominate the northern landscape of this Pima County quadrangle, where the desert floor meets the steep drainages of Cochie Canyon and Ruelas Canyon. By the early 21st century, the transition from ranching heritage to suburban expansion is evident in the residential patterns surrounding Tortolita and the northern reaches of Oro Valley. While older operations like the T-Bench-Bar Ranch and Bonnie Brae Ranch represent the area's agricultural roots, the emergence of the La Cholla Airpark and numerous planned road networks across the southwest illustrate the modern character of the region. The ephemeral Santa Cruz River clips the southwestern corner, paralleled by major transport corridors, while the landscape is dotted with several named holdings such as Oasis Ranch and Palo Ferro Ranch, marking the evolution of the desert valley north of Tucson.