Spring 2018: Saguaro National Park

Surprise!  Saguaro National Park is home to many Saguaro cacti.  Many other cacti too, of course.  And mountains, etc.  What strike me though, is that instead of being far from civilization like many other national parks, this one bumps right up to Tucson, AZ.  It’s still a nice place to visit, but I prefer to keep my eye on the scenery, of which there is more than enough.

The park has two discontiguous districts: Tucson Mountain District (west) and Rincon Mountain District (east).  I spent all of my time in the east district, although I only visited two area.  There is much more for me to explore here.

Tanque Verde Ridge

The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail follows a trail that provides commanding views in all directions.  It’s a long, steady climb (except for one area in the middle that goes up and down).  It is not the place to go if you like flat trails.

At low elevations, the area is a cactus forest.
At low elevations, the area is a cactus forest.
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As the trail ascends, the cacti give way to scrub brush and more distant views.
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This viewpoint is only a few feet from Tanque Verde Peak. I chose to stop here since I didn’t like the descent from the true peak. The city of Tucson is ringed with mountains.
From this vantage point you can hardly tell that Tucson exists.
From this vantage point you can hardly tell that Tucson exists.

Broadway Trailhead Area

Broadway Trailhead is located in the extreme northwest corner of the Rincon Mountain District.  It is very popular.  The are has so many trails close to each other that it’s easy to get lost.  It’s also very flat.  So it was a nice place to visit for a short while.

Various types of cacti with moutains behind. What you might expect.
Various types of cacti with moutains behind. What you might expect.
There are also trees here. You find them in the lowlands, by washes.
There are also trees here. You find them in the “lowlands, by washes.  The vegetation is almost completely changes in a short distance.
Desert cacti, a city, power lines. Am I really in a national park?
Cacti, power lines and a city. Am I really in a national park?
Surprise! There are also trees here.
Something like moss covers the lower portions of the trees.
Nature, just nature, if you point your camera in the right direction.
Nature, just nature, if you point your camera in the right direction.

You can find my routes here and here.

Next destination: Sonoran Desert National Monument