We continue our stay in Tucson with visits to both sections of Saguaro National Park. With a whole park named after them, we were sure to see lots of saguaros and other cacti of various shapes and sizes. Due to the sheer volume of photo opportunities and the narrow and winding roads, this park provided two days of entertainment and lots of pretty pictures.

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit So Long Snow 2022.

A New Perspective

During the four years I lived in Arizona (back in the day), I had friends who enjoyed the cactus and dry desert as much as I did. We loved to hike up into the Phoenix mountains and gaze out over the beautiful desert. We’d joke the saguaros were flipping off the people who cared only for the winter warmth, and we secretly wished the snowbirds would stay away until they appreciated the desert for all it had to offer.

Now that I’m of a certain snowbird age, I realize how wonderful it is to spend the winter months as far away from snow as possible. Since I’ve always appreciated the desert for all it has to offer, I think I should be able to winter here without guilt, don’t you think? Funny how a person’s perspective changes over time!

A Home for Saguaros

“The saguaro cactus forest around you owes its existence to the foresight of local residents. In the 1920s grazing and development threatened the saguaro’s future. Saguaro forests began to disappear as mature cactuses were chopped to make way for new roads. Livestock added to the damage as cattle trampled seedlings. Fearing the destruction of the southwest’s saguaro forests Homer Shantz led the effort that created Saguaro National Park – protecting the giant saguaro for generations to come.” ~ Another sign near the entrance.

Standing Tall in the Desert

The Saguaro Cactus is the universal symbol of the American west. Its roots are only four to six inches deep, but they spread out as far as the plant is tall and a tap root extends down into the ground more than two feet. More facts from the National Park Service:
• The saguaro is the largest cactus in the U.S. and the tallest one ever measured was over 78 feet.
• The saguaro grows as a column at a very slow rate, with all growth occurring at the tip.
• It can take ten years to reach one-inch in height, and 70 years to reach 6-1/2 feet and produce its first flowers.
• By 95-100 years, a saguaro can reach 15-16 feet, and could get its first arm. While some saguaros have dozens of arms, others may not have any, and no one knows why.
• By 200 years old, the saguaro has reached its full height – somewhere around 45 feet.

Saguaros are only found in the Sonoran Desert and are protected at Saguaro National Park. Obviously all sorts of cactus, not just saguaro make this an amazing destination and a dream come true for the photographer in us all.

The Rincon Mountain District (RMD)

East of the city of Tucson, the Rincon Mountain District is the larger of the two sections of Saguaro National Park. Mica Mountain is the park’s highest point and tops out at 8,664 feet. With no roads past a certain point, there is no way to reach the summit by car. With many miles of trails to get you there, you’ll have to put in some work.

“Dayhikes in the Rincons are usually limited to the lower elevations due to distance, but hardy hikers can easily manage the longer distances needed to attain Mica Mountain in one long day (10-11 hours). The upper Rincons feature healthy, mature forest, canyons, streams and rock formations, things not “obvious” when  viewing the range from below.” ~ READ MORE

Know Your Limits

Since we do not consider ourselves “hardy hikers”, we opted for the Cactus Forest Drive. This eight-mile, one-way loop is paved and has plenty of parking areas along the way to stop and check out the views. The signage at these areas is very interesting and offers great insight into desert life. Depending on how much you stop (and we stopped a lot!) it can take a while to see these eight miles!

The saguaros in this section are large, but less plentiful than those at the TMD in the west, with lots more shrubbery and other vegetation. As the elevation rises a bit, numerous saguaros love the south side of the gently sloping hillside, but since cacti do not grow at the higher elevations – which make up the majority of the RMD – there are fewer saguaros in the Rincon District.

The Colors of the Desert

A cactus blooms nearly every year although when the desert is blessed with more rain, it is blessed with more flowers! April brings about the biggest variety of spring blooms, with prickly pears showing off in early May, followed by the saguaros strutting their stuff from mid May to mid June. It is truly a sight to behold!

Barrel cactus buds typically start to bloom in April with bright yellow or orange flowers. A late summer rainstorm can produce a late bloom, which explains the photo at the right, which was taken in August of 2016.

During our visit this year in early February, the colors were muted but still awesome. Even without the blooms which will follow, there was so much to see that it was all good… very good.

Take a Hike

Pullouts were abundant along the main road, with larger parking lots near the trails. According to HikingProject.com, in the Rincon Mountain District there are 181 miles of trails with 22 easy, 24 intermediate, and six difficult trails. I suggest that you take a hike and immerse yourself in the desert experience. Although, not so much when it’s 117 degrees!

Water is Life

“Land of extremes. Land of contrasts. Land of surprises… That is Arizona.”

~ From the Federal Writers Project, Arizona: The Grand Canyon State, 1956

Welcome to Arizona, where Summer spends the Winter and Hell spends the Summer!

~ From PictureQuotes.com

The Tucson Mountain District (TMD)

West of the city of Tucson, the Tucson Mountain District is the smaller of the two sections of Saguaro National Park, which are separated by Tucson’s one million residents. As you enter Tucson Mountain Park, it starts out very steep and curvy, but levels out to a magnificent desert floor. It was really something!

Tucson Mountain Park

“Tucson Mountain Park was established April 1929… At approximately 20,000 acres, the park is one of the largest natural resource areas owned and managed by a local government in the U.S. The park has approximately 62 miles of non-motorized shared-use trials. The park’s trails are open to hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers, and provide a wide range of outstanding experiences, including technical challenges, and breathtaking views. Gates Pass overlook includes interpretive displays and historic structures. Picnicking and wildlife viewing opportunities are located throughout the park.” ~ READ MORE

Red Hills Visitor Center

“The Red Hills Visitor Center is a great place to learn about the park and start your visit to Saguaro National Park’s West District. Views from the patio are spectacular and overlook the Red Hills and majestic Saguaro cactus forest nearby. Learn more about the unique geology of the Tucson Mountains, get great recommendations on how to get the most out of your time in the park, or explore the park bookstore. General information, park maps, and hiking guides are available in front of the building 24-hrs a day.” ~ READ MORE

Can you Estimate the Age of These Saguaros?

Cactus Condos!

February. A Great Month in Arizona.

Signal Hill

Signal Hill petroglyphs site offers dozens of images viewable from a short trail. The large spiral image in the fourth photo is located at the top of the hill. In the background is Wasson Peak and Sombrero Peak and a dense Saguaro forest.

How Much Time do you have in Tucson?

If you’re only in Tucson for a short time and really want to see saguaros and other cactus, maybe the Rincon Mountain District (west) side would be more to your liking. If you have an extended stay and enjoy hiking, the Tucson Mountain District (east) side offers more opportunities with lots of trails, and this is the only region that allows backpacking. We were here a week and we enjoyed both sides very much, even without the hiking!

Next up: How About a Nice Game of Chess?

Happy trails,
Barb