I thought I’d seen a lot of saguaros in the Sonoran Desert, but Saguaro National Park is a forest of giant cactus people.
Sunset from camp
I arrived in the late afternoon so stopped first at the visitor center where I watched the orientation film and picked up my Junior Ranger book. Then I went to the recommended Gilbert Ray campground in Tucson Mountain Park for the night.
Great place with lots of private sites in the middle of the desert all with electricity for $20 and the only place to camp in this part of the park.
Hohokam Road
In the morning I returned to the visitor center to get my Junior Ranger badge and some information. There are many road and trail options so it’s wise to make a plan.
Ocotillo and Avra Valley from Sus picnic area
President Franklin D Rosevelt first established Saguaro National Monument in 1933. Then in 1961 President Kennedy expanded the monument to include Tucson Mountain Park. In 1994 congress established Saguaro National Park.
Birds nest
Saguaro National Park is composed of two distinct districts, the Ricon Mountain District east of Tucson and the Tucson Mountain District to the west.
To many, these giants symbolize the American West yet saguaros only grown in southern Arizona and northern Mexico.
Saguaros can grow to 50 feet tall and are the largest member of the cactus family in the US. They normally live for 150-200 years.
For a saguaro seedling to survive, it needs the protection of a nurse plant which provides protection from the sun and freezing temperatures.
Fishhook barrel cactus
I saw many of the parks 25 species of cactus along the .5 mile Signal Hill Trail.
Which took me to a rock pile with various petroglyphs left behind by the Hohokam people.
Imagine pecking away at the desert varnish to leave a message behind.
Unfortunately it looks like some modern folks decided to leave their messages as well. It is not only wrong but illegal to vandalize these archeological sites.
There’s some very crazy cactus out there.
After these explorations I had a Very important lunch date with fellow blogger Susie of Arabia at El Molonito in Tucson. We talked for at least three hours just like old friends. What a treat to meet this amazing woman who moved with her husband to his so culturally different homeland in Saudi Arabia.
There's something about meeting fellow bloggers. Like we've always known them. I was in Saguaro National a long time ago. Sounds like it's time for another trip down there. LOVE how you travel and camp everywhere.
Nice post. I enjoyed seeing all of the cactus.
First of all–what fun to meet a fellow blogger. Good for you and Susie.
I love all the different type of cacti. So neat. And the petroglyphs–wonderful. We should keep them sacred and people should not deface them. Grrrrr. MB
Great meeting another blogger, it is such fun catching up with people we have never met but feel like we know.
Those prickly beasts have some very interesting shape. Love the rocks with the petroglyphs on. A bit more of your local history. Diane
Saguaros are my favorites! Love the Saguaro National Forest. Petroglyphs are fun to find and experience. Gotta get back there!
Hi Gaelyn, You're having one adventure after another on your trip to TX and taking me along, too. When we were in Tucson last spring, Bob rode his bike through Saguaro Nat'l Park. That sunset from your campsite was awesome. Glad you got to visit with a Blog Friend.
love the saguaro I have the park on my bucket list…so hopefully soon–I was in s.AZ last spring and saw these in bloom, that was so cool…Great petroglyphs–
SO are you working at Saguaro NP this summer?
Some day I'd like to see these in bloom, I wasn't there at the right time when I visited my niece.
It's great that you were able to visit with Susie.
I don't know which excited me more…the cacti or Susie, whom I visit on occasion (in cyberland). I must definitely come down your way.
Gaelyn, what a neat place to hike. I enjoyed the photos and all the cactus. It is wonderful you got to meet Susie, what a great visit.
I love your photos – never miss a post. But the last few months they have been so dark. What changed? . . . swan . . .
Another great place to stop and so nice that you got to meet up with a fellow blogger! It's good that you are taking your time on your trip to Texas and enjoying the journey.
The saguaro is a fascinating plant. Cool petroglyphs, too. And how fun to meet up with Susie of Arabia.
Gaelyn, you have been all over my stomping grounds! I have never seen those petroglyphs, however! Sure wish I could have been there to meet you. Perhaps next year!
p.s. yes, these photos are dark.
Don’t know how I missed this post before – so thanks for linking to it on this week’s Fun Friday for me. Love the sunset shot – and of course the shot of me and you!
Brings back good memories of our meeting.