|
|
Saguaro National Park, split into two areas to the east and west of Tucson, AZ, is a national park dedicated to the preservation of the surprisingly vast variety of Sonoran Desert flora and fauna.
The star of these parks is naturally the impressive Saguaro cactus, which is the most famous inhabitant of the Sonoran desert.
During its 175 year life span this cactus can grow to be as tall as 50ft (15m) and spawn a large number of "arms".
Both parks are accesible to regular vehicles, offering paved loop roads, but for a more up-close experience hiking trails, ranging from short and easy to long and strenuous, are available.
Both parks have visitor centers with informative exhibits, souvenirs and friendly park rangers to give recommendations on how to best experience the park.
Admission is $5 per vehicle, but is included in the National Parks Pass.
|
Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea)
|
Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica)
|
The fruit of the Prickly Pear Cactus
|
Another adapted inhabitant of the Sonoran Desert, the Ocotillo
|
Saguaro Cactus, the logo for pretty much all Tex-Mex restaurants...
|
Smooth Chain Fruit Cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida mammillata)
|
Sonoran Jumping Cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida)
|
Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)
|
Teddy Bear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)
|
A range of cactii have adapted to life in the Sonoran Desert
|
Saguaro cactus blending in with the scenery... :-)
|
Saguaros grow to over 15m in height in their 175 year lifetimes
|
Panoramic view across Saguaro National Park East
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central Arizona, defined by me as the region on the drive north from Phoenix towards the Grand Canyon, offers many interesting and scenic areas.
Just off I-17 and south of Sedona, AZ, Monetzuma Castle National Monument preserves a five-story, 20-room dwelling built by Southern Sinagua farmers in the 12th century in a cliff recess 100ft above the Verde Valley.
This small National Monument offers a visitor center and can be visited on foot for an admission fee of $3 per person - included in the National Parks Pass.
Driving north on highways US179, US89, and US180 takes you through the breathtaking blend of red cliffs and pine and juniper forests of the Oak Creek Canyon, beautiful and new-agey Sedona and Flagstaff and the lush greenery of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
|
Montezuma Castle, built by Southern Sinagua farmers in the 12th century,...
|
...stands in a cliff recess 100ft above above Verde Valley.
|
Model of what life in Montezuma Castle is thought to have been in the 12th century
|
Montezuma Castle was built into a five story, 20 room dwelling.
|
First of the crimson sandstone formations near Sedona...
|
...located at the southern end of scenic Oak Creek Canyon
|
US89 through the Oak Creek Canyon is worthwhile sidetrip...
|
...with lush greenery, red rocks and nice turns.
|
Panoramic view of the forests and red rocks of the Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona
|
Flagstaff, located on Route 66, was just a brief stop on this trip...
|
...but offers plenty of cultural attractions and nightlife for a longer visit.
|
Ponderosa and other pines are part of the attraction of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests along US180
|
Ponderosa pine in the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
|
|
|
|
|
The Grand Canyon is Arizonas most famous and most visited sight and offers a truly spectacular view of the result of around two billion years of geologic history.
The spectacular sights of the immense chasm carved by the Colorado River can be experienced in areas of the Grand Canyon National Park on the northern and southern rims of the canyon, where visitors can find both very well developed and easily accesible areas as well as more adventurous hiking trails.
Several half- or full-day long hikes, such as the Hermits Trail, are possible, as is a hike to the Colorado River at the bottom of the Canyon. The latter, which I hope to do on a future visit, is probably possible as a full-day hike for early-risers in good physical condition with hiking experience, but typically an overnight stay at the Phantom Ranch (advance reservations are necessary!) is recommended.
Carrying plenty of water is an absoulte MUST no matter what kind of hiking you do!
Tons of information is available on hiking as well as other activities (such as mule-rides) at several sights across the park.
Park admission is $20 per vehicle for a week, but also included in the National Parks Pass.
|
People go out of their way for a good spot...
|
...to watch the beautiful spectacle...
|
...of the setting sun...
|
...at Yavapai Point in the Grand Canyon, AZ
|
Morning view over the canyon from Grand Canyon Village...
|
...with much of the grandeur obscured in mists and the summer haze. [CS]
|
Hermits Rest, western most stop for the shuttle bus, is a start point of a number of good day hikes. [CS]
|
Ravens are apparantly the most abundant wildlife here in the park
|
Hiker 1, still fresh and ready to tackle Hermits Trail
|
Dito for Hiker 2
|
View over the canyon from Hermits Rest
|
Rest on the way down Hermits Trail
|
View over the canyon from Hermits Trail
|
Blossoms on Hermits Trail
|
View over the canyon from Hermits Trail
|
The canyons blend of colors along Hermits Trail
|
Around the steepest part of our descent into the canyon down Hermits Trail
|
View past me for the canyon from Hermits Trail
|
View past sis for the canyon from Hermits Trail
|
View over the canyon from Hermits Trail
|
Santa Maria Spring, our planned stop, comes into view
|
View over the canyon from Hermits Trail
|
This quaint little hut at Santa Maria Spring offers shade but unfortunatley only non-drinkable water
|
View of the canyon at Santa Maria Spring
|
Santa Maria Spring seen from the ruins of an old outhouse
|
Resting on the way back up Hermits Trail - compare with the shot from the way down ;-) |
Back at the top - and, surprisingly after a few wrong turns and a racing pulse, in record time
|
Welcoming committee - a squirrel at Hermits Rest
|
View over the canyon from Mohave Point
|
View over the canyon from Mohave Point
|
The Colorado river at the foot of the canyon seen from Mohave Point
|
Steam Powered Train at Grand Canyon Station
|
Changing colors under the setting sun at Yaki Point
|
Marveling at the play of the sun... [CS]
|
...with the reds, greens and yellows...
|
...of the Grand Canyon [CS]
|
The backdrop is the real thing, not a poster
|
Looking at this...
|
...it's not hard to understand...
|
..why the daily setting of the sun...
|
...is such a big draw at the Grand Canyon
|
Enjoying a beautiful end to a fantastic day at the GCNP
|
View over the Canyon from Grandview Point
|
View over the Canyon from Grandview Point along Desert View Drive
|
View over the Canyon from Grandview Point along Desert View Drive
|
View over the Canyon from Grandview Point along Desert View Drive
|
View over the Canyon and the Colorado River from Moran Point
|
View over the Canyon and the meandering Colorado River from Moran Point off Desert View Drive
|
View over the Canyon from Moran Point
|
View over the Canyon from Moran Point
|
The Watchtower at the GCNPs East Entrance
|
The Watchtower at the GCNPs East Entrance
|
View over the Canyon from the Watchtower - yes, it was windy (and sunny)
|
Inside the Watchtower at the GCNPs East Entrance
|
View over the Canyon from the Watchtower
|
The Colorado Gorge on the east side of the Grand Canyon [CS]
|
The Colorado Gorge on the east side of the Grand Canyon
|
The Colorado Gorge on the east side of the Grand Canyon [CS]
|
The Colorado Gorge on the east side of the Grand Canyon [CS]
|
The Colorado Gorge on the east side of the Grand Canyon [CS]
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
'))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
'))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
