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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Cactus Forest Drive - Saguaro National Park


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.

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