While it didn't become a National Park until 1994, the Rincon Mountain (East) District of Saguaro National Park was designated a National Monument in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps created much of the infrastructure in the eastern district including the 8-mile Cactus Forest Drive through a part of the Sonoran Desert. Numerous pullouts along the loop provide opportunities to get out and see the desert up close. We visited in May 2015.
 |
| Ocotillo, Prickly Pear and the Santa Catalina Mountains |
 |
| Saguaro Cactus |
 |
| Blooms on a Saguaro |
 |
| Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom |
 |
| Closer view of a couple of younger Saguaro cacti |
 |
| Ocotillo, Foothills Palo Verde and Rincon Mountain |
 |
| Saguaro can reach heights of 50 feet |
 |
| Saguaro cacti stand high above the Foothill Palo Verde and Mesquite |
 |
| Buckhorn Cholla |
 |
| Bloom on a Buckhorn Cholla |
 |
| Foothill Palo Verde |
 |
| Staghorn Cholla in bloom |
 |
| Mesquite |
 |
| Saguaro flowers |
 |
| Prickly Pear flower |
 |
| Jumping or Chain Fruit Cholla |
 |
| More Saguaro blooms |
 |
| Saguaro and Prickly Pear |
 |
| A plethora of blooms on a giant Saguaro |
 |
| Two washes converge on the slopes of the Rincon Mountains |
 |
| Saguaro seems to grow out of a rock |
 |
| Another view of the riparian area |
 |
| Rock outcrops above the saguaros |
 |
| Looking north at the Santa Catalina Mountains |
 |
| Ocotillo and Saguaro with the Tucson Mountains in the west |
An entrance fee of $5 per person or $10 per private vehicle is required to enter Saguaro National Park. The fee is valid for seven days and allows entrance to both the Tucson Mountain District (West) and the Rincon Mountain District (East). Other options include a Saguaro National Park Annual Pass for $25, an Interagency Annual Pass providing access to most national park, national forest and BLM fee areas for $80 and a lifetime Interagency Senior Pass for those age 62 and older for $10.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm.
No comments:
Post a Comment