Secundino Loop

Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona was established in 1985 for the reintroduction of masked bobwhite quail and the restoration of natural landscapes and their native wildlife, including the Sonoran Pronghorn. The 118,000-acre refuge lies in a broad Altar Valley between the Baboquivari Mountains, with their prominent main peak in the west, and the lower San Luis Mountains to the east. In the 1850s, Pedro Aguirre, Jr. built a homestead here in 1864 and named it Buenos Ayres, or "good air," because of the constant winds. His ranch changed hands several times before being purchased to form today's wildlife refuge. The refuge's visitor center is located in the adobe ranch house.

The refuge has over 80 designated campsites identified by a numbered sign. Camping is free and allowed for 14 days in a 30-day period, but only in the designated campsites. Most campsites have a fire ring/grill. Site sizes vary from a single vehicle to large enough for multiple RVs and trailers. Most are suitable for tents.

Fuel and limited supplies are available in the nearby small towns of Sasabe and Arivaca.

Secundino means second born in Spanish. Secundino Loop runs deep into the refuge to connect two outliers of the original ranch. The horseshoe-shaped route begins and ends on Highway 286. On the southern end, the trail passes an old corral made of mesquite logs. The northern end passes an abandoned bunkhouse. Both locations are far from the main ranch headquarters, today's visitor center.

The western ends of the horseshoe are graded dirt roads. The center of the trail is a weedy, rocky two-track that is heavily overgrown. Expect heavy pinstriping. A deep wash may require 4Low.

Campsite 16 sits along the southern leg of the horseshoe. The small lollipop site could host two vehicles. The site has level ground for tents and a fire ring.