Most of the Land Containing the Tortolita Mountains Is Owned by the State of Arizona As

1/24/2012

Most of the land containing the Tortolita Mountains is owned by the State of Arizona as Arizona State Trust Land . Arizona ’s constitution sets certain state lands aside to raise funds for the education system. As such, it is not protected and is available for development.

Desired lands are sold through a public auction process with the highest bidder acquiring the property. (see http://www.land.state.az.us for more info) State land is also available for agricultural and grazing leases.

The cattle and horses that you come across in the Tortolitas come from the leased acreage. Arizona land is open range. If you want the cattle off of your property, it is up to you to fence them out.

Fortunately, the mountains are nearly impossible to develop so they stay relatively protected. There is no real “management” plan, however.

The Tortolita Preserve is 2400 acres of leased land west of Dove Mountain . Access to the preserve is at the end of Moore Road west of Dove Mountain Boulevard through the gate. It is property leased from the state as mitigation for the Dove Mountain development.

There is a 9 mile single track trail around the perimeter of the preserve that is popular with mountain bikers and equestrians.

Cattle from a grazing lease south and west of the preserve often graze on the preserve land as the perimeter fence is not contiguous.

The other “preserve” is Tortolita Mountain Park owned by Pima County . The trails constructed by Marana access the park. The southern boundary of the park is just south of Alamo Springs. Marana partners with Pima County to construct trails within the park.

As the park boundary is not fenced, the cattle in the park again come from grazing leases to the north in Pinal County .

The feral horses that you’ve heard about probably originate from the ranches associated with the leases.

The trail system enters Arizona State Land at the trail junction/kiosk north of the Ritz. The Town purchased the trail easements through the state land to the park. The easements are 15’ wide.

The trailhead south of the Ritz was deeded to the Town from Cottonwood Properties as part of their development agreement with the Town.

The trail from the TH to the state land boundary was constructed by Cottonwood Properties and the easements dedicated. All construction of the trails and trailhead is financed as part of the 2004 Pima County Park Bond election.