| Aravaipa Creek | |
|---|---|
 Aravaipa Creek in Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness | |
  Central Aravaipa Valley and Creek | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Cities | Mammoth–Winkelman |
| Location | Graham County, Aravaipa Valley (northeastSonoran Desert),Arizona |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • elevation | 8,889 ft (2,709 m) above sea level |
| Mouth | |
• location | San Pedro River south ofWinkelman |
• coordinates | 32°50′17″N110°42′56″W / 32.83814°N 110.71568°W /32.83814; -110.71568 |
| Length | 55 mi (89 km) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Gila River |
| Borders |
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Aravaipa Creek is a drainage between threemountain ranges in southwestGraham County,Arizona – theGaliuro Mountains, theSanta Teresa Mountains and thePinaleno Mountains. These mountains are part of the high altitudeMadrean Sky Islands located in southern Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and northern Sonora and Chihuahua states in Mexico.
Aravaipa Creek originates on the southeast flank of the Galiuro Mountains at Durkee Canyon andBlue Peak at 8,889 feet (2,709 m).[1] It then flows northwest through the narrow, fault-blockedAravaipa Valley with the Pinaleno Mountains bordering the valley on the east and the Santa Teresa Mountains bordering on the northeast. On the west side of the valley, the creek follows the northeast and north perimeter of the Galiuro Mountainsmassif flowing northwest, west, and then southwest through and around the range's north end to meet theSan Pedro River a few miles south ofDudleyville.
The town ofKlondyke is located in the heart of the Aravaipa Valley about 35 miles west fromEden which is located onU.S. Route 70. There is also access to Klondyke viaArizona State Route 266 toBonita (passing nearFort Grant) and thence on a gravel road north through the valley. Bonita may also be accessed by gravel road north fromWillcox.
West of Klondyke in the Galiuro Mountains is the location of the well knownPower's Cabin shootout. The former populated area ofAravaipa is located at the end of the Klondyke Road on the slopes of the Santa Teresa Mountains, north of Klondyke.
Aravaipa Canyon at the north end of the Galiuro Mountains contains theAravaipa Canyon Wilderness. The creek goes northwest then southwest through the canyon and downstream about 9 miles (14 km) to meet the San Pedro River andArizona State Route 77 between Dudleyville andMammoth. Access to the eastern end of the wilderness is located north of Klondyke on the Klondyke Road.
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