, Arizona (near Bisbee
), are a small mountain range in southern Arizona that runs north to south. These mountains, along with numerous other remote mountains in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, create so-called "Sky Islands," which have a significant amount of biodiversity and endemic species of their plants and animals due to their lengthy isolation. They were known for being an area of extensive mining. Its tallest peak is Mount Ballard at 7,500 feet. Many metals were mined from the mountains. Which included copper, silver, lead, and gold. The Copper Queen Mine
was the largest copper deposit during its day. Which made Bisbee rich and prosperous. Besides metals, turquoise was also discovered and mined in the Mule Mountains.Before mining began, the mountains was a forest mainly consisting of Douglas firs and other conifers. As Bisbee prospered, the forest was cut down, part by part, to provide for building material and running the smelting furnaces in the region. Though the mountains have somewhat rebounded, they're not in the condition they were once in and natural growth is far more sparse.
Despite this, wild animals are still very present in the area. Mule deer, Whitetail deer, Quail, Peccary, Doves (Mourning and White-wing), various rodents and lizards, Cottontail rabbits, and even Mountain Lions are found in the area.
Today, although the land is still owned by the Phelps Dodge Corporation, they have no mines in operation and tourism is a major funding source for Bisbee and the Mule Mountains region.
