Elephant Head Rock

For two days in a row we have driven south of Tucson on Highway 19, once to Tubac and again to Green Valley, and both times we have had excellent views of Elephant Head Rock, a distinctive formation on the west side of the Santa Rita Mountains.

Elephant Head is an unusual structure that stands somewhat alone and is clearly visible from the highway. We drove back into the Coronado National Forest toward Madera Canyon and could see Elephant Head clearly as we approached the mountains.

This image was taken from the frontage road near the Arivaca Road exit. Low clouds cover the high peaks of the Santa Ritas. Elephant Head dominates the front range. This unique rock formation is about a half hour south of Tucson, not quite midway between Tucson and Nogales.