Saguaro National Park - Rincon Mountain District.

March 1 – 7, 2014: Still enjoying life at Snyder Hill BLM. (continued)

Saguaro National Park East.

Due east from Synder Hill BLM, across the city of Tucson, sits the other half of Saguaro National Park – the Rincon Mountain District.  That’s where our adventure begins today.

We stop by the Visitor Center, stamp our NP Passport, and head back to the Jeep.  Through the toll booth (free entry for those with a Senior Pass!) we begin our excursion motoring through the park on the 8-mile loop called Cactus Forest Drive.

Cycles of  Wall Street Journal fame.

Not far into the park we notice a group of cyclists in the distance.  What could these folks be up to?  Shortly, a young man stops us in the middle of the road and gives us the scoop.  The Wall Street Journal is doing an article on this New York biking team – Champion Systems presented by Stans No-Tubes.  They’re doing a photo shoot and ask if we mind waiting a few minutes while they complete their session.  No problem. 

Within a couple of minutes the cyclists have wound their way over the hills and down the valleys and fly past the Jeep with smiles on their faces.  You can see they love what they do.  Photo shoot done we’re back on track.

Watch the rocks guys!  And by the way, watch the cactus too!

Oh yes!  And watch the 90 degree turns while you're at it!

Jack next to a dead Saguaro with only the woody ribs still standing.

In the distance we see a really large Saguaro.

We park the Jeep and walk up the wash to get a better look.

I would estimate this cactus to be about 30' high.

Note all the holes from woodpeckers and flickers.  This is now a very nice condominium-complex.

Back down the wash and away we go.

A view of Tucson as it encroaches toward the edge of the park.

We notice there are fewer Saguaro cactus in the east district compared to the west district.

It is believed that livestock grazing from the 1800’s until 1979 caused severe damage to the east cactus forest.  The small seedlings were trampled by cattle or were unable to find safe places to grow under “nurse plants”, again due to cattle grazing.  Since the elimination of grazing the Saguraros are recovering, but it is estimated that two generations of cactus were heavily affected by the cattle.

Share the road with vehicles, bikes, people … and tortoises!

 

This desert tortoise was just a few feet off the road methodically making his way along ... slow but sure.

Here come those NY boys again.

Cacti and flowering shrubs on a hillside.

Ocotillo in bloom.

A hike on some rocky cliffs.

And finally, this happy Saguaro waving "goodbye".

Another day comes to a close at Snyder Hill BLM.

I decided to save the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for my next post.  There are so many wonderful pictures from the museum – flowers all abloom – it’s amazing.  Until next time – be safe.