The Santa Rita Mountains, in south-central Arizona, are a ravishing serration of peaks poking into the clear desert air close to the US/Mexico border, with 9,453-foot Mt. Wrightson lording over the San Rafael valley and the Sonoran desert beneath. These mountains are dwelling to considered one of America’s rarest treasures—a jaguar. As soon as, these cats roamed from Hollywood to Lousiana, however searching and habitat destruction have restricted their numbers to…one? Two? No one is aware of for positive. However there may be not less than one grownup male jaguar, “El Jefe,” born probably in Mexico, however residing within the Santa Ritas.
El Jefe is a part of the inspiration behind the Ruta Del Jefe, a motorbike journey pioneered by Sarah Swallow. It’s a race, positive, nevertheless it’s an journey, actually. A gravel-grinding 125 miles, with eight,000-plus ft of elevation acquire, all self-supported (“which suggests there is no such thing as a sag following you in a automotive, and no Mothers or boyfriends handing you Mexican Cokes alongside the route” Swallow explains).
Successful might be superior. Driving these trails with a bunch of like-minded people? Equally superior.
Swallow organized this shindig with the objective of sharing a spectacular bike route with fellow cyclists, but in addition to spotlight—utilizing El Jefe as a form of mascot—the risks mining and a bodily border wall current to the distinctive ecosystem of the Santa Ritas, and that complete stretch of the Sonoran desert. Specifically, Swallow is attempting to lift consciousness in regards to the proposed Rosemont copper mine.
The occasion takes place in February. The price of registration? A donation to both Save the Scenic Santa Ritas or No Extra Deaths. Riders sort out the entire thing in at some point, although it’s a bikepacking route for many who wish to take their time, undergo rather less, soak within the surroundings.
Identical to El Jefe.
A brief movie in regards to the occasion follows these photographs.
Photograph: John Watson
Photograph: Watson
Photograph: Gus Morton
