More on Saguaro National Park -- West & East Districts

In my last blog post I mentioned that I made a quick visit to Saguaro National Park (SAGU).  But on Monday-Thursday of last week, I was able to spend more time exploring the park. 

Also, Tucson Mountain (Pima County) Park, adjacent to the southern border of the West District of SAGU, deserves a big honorable mention here.  I loved driving the roads of the county park -- Kinney, McCain Loop, and Gates Pass -- fun rides with outstanding vistas.  Since SAGU only has backpacking camps, I found Gilbert Ray Campground within Tucson Mountain Park as well.  Although it's geared more toward the RVer with hookups, it was a pleasant stay and my tent site was private enough.

Visitors are greeted with a framed view of a saguaro forest upon
walking up to the Red Hills Visitor Center of SAGU's
West-Tucson Mountain District.   2/5/14

The panorama looking beyond the saguaro forest to the mountains at the
Red Hills Visitor Center SAGU West.  2/5/14

While in the West District I explored the Scenic Bajada Loop Drive.  A "bajada" is the deposits of several alluvial fans that combine at the base of a mountain.  Most appropriately it means "foot" in Spanish.



Notice the holes in one of the cactus.
 These are mostly made by birds (like cactus wren) for their nests,
and often used by other birds (like elf owls) for shelter. 
Bajada Loop Drive, 2/4/14

Saguaro cacti come in all shapes and sizes.  This one lost its top! 
Bajada Loop Drive, 2/4/14



While on the Bajada Loop, I took a side trip on the Golden Gate Road to the
Ex-Kim-In-Zin picnic area.  Here I found some handiwork of the CCC
(Civilian Conservation Corps).  See the picnic table shelter on the ridge.  2/4/14

On Wednesday afternoon I headed toward Saguaro East-Rincon Mountain District, on the opposite side of Tucson.  Since it was getting late, I passed the entrance to find a place to camp at another Pima Country facility, Colossal Cave Mountain Park.  This park was more rustic and the roads are in serious need of repair.  After a bit of exploration (at the cave entrance, a cattle/horse ranch, and the picnic/camping areas) I found a private campsite and enjoyed taking a few pictures both at sunset and sunrise. 

Looking up at a saguaro forest from my campsite.  The sky is dark with clouds and I
heard some thunder that night.  Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/5/14

Prickly pear, a dead tree and a saguaro forest.  Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/5/14

A campsite, all to myself.  Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/5/14

Close up of a dead saguaro trunk laying on the ground.  Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/5/14

Another close up of the same dead saguaro trunk laying on the ground. 
But, this time, showing a place where its "ribs" are showing. 
Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/5/14

Looking up at a 20+ foot saguaro cactus.  Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/5/14.

This morning shot seems to capture the feel of the place best for me.
It felt kind of sad there ... don't know why exactly.  But, I was glad to leave.
Colossal Cave Mountain Park, 2/6/14.

I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon exploring some of the East District of SAGU.  Here I took another scenic drive on the Cactus Forest Loop.




See the budding arms? 
Arms or branches begin to appear when a saguaro cactus is between
 50-75 years old.  Average life span for saguaros is between
 150-175 years old.  (SAGU flyer)  Cactus Forest Drive, 2/6/14

The top formation on this saguaro is called a cristate.  It's rare and about 25
are within SAGU.   (SAGU flyer)  Cactus Forest Drive, 2/6/14

As you may be able to tell from these last few pictures, it was jacket-wearing weather.  I was, however, craving some sunshine.  So, I checked out the weather for other places in AZ and headed toward the warmth.  More on that little venture on my next blog.