Ash Canyon - February, 2023

 Ash Canyon lies between the communities of Hereford and Miracle Valley.  The latter is known for some extreme religious experiences, as well as more conventional churches currently active.  This post is not meant to provide details of the area's history, but to give readers the general flavor of the area.  We'll start with a sunrise over the desert, putting a warm light on our subjects.


At one time, a bible college was active in Miracle Valley, with grandiose plans for a significant campus.  The college failed, however, and abandoned its unfinished main building.  Attempts by other organizations to re-purpose the structure have also failed.

A religious success story, closer to Hereford, is a shrine known as Cerro De La Virgen, Our Lady of The Sierras.  Built by a couple after they retired here from Chicago, the shrine has a beautiful stone chapel, a 31 foot tall statue of the Virgin Mary and a 75 foot Celtic cross.  In addition, there are fourteen Stations of The Cross spread across the mountainside with a 600 foot climb to see them all. 



The shrine is visible from the Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Mexican Jay
Lesser Goldfinch (F)
Acorn Woodpecker

House Finch (M)

Lesser Goldfinch (M)

Ladder-backed Woodpecker (M)

Pine Siskin

Pyrrhuloxia (F)

Chipping Sparrow

Curve-billed Thrasher

Young Buck

Bewick's Wren

White-winged Dove

Javelina

Northern Flicker

 





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