Our latest desert hike started at the Douglas Spring trailhead in the Saguaro National Forest with Garwood Dam our designated lunch stop and turnaround point. An easy 5-mile hike with minimal elevation gain, we saw much of the typical desert scenery along with spectacular views of the Rincon and Catalina Mountains. But we also noticed early signs of Spring along the trail. Finding bits of color in the Saguaro Desert is a real delight, and on this day most everywhere we looked new life was beginning to emerge; wildflowers were visible here and there, the ocotillo were beginning to leaf out with bright green foliage, and many of the cacti were on the verge of blooming. We were able to spot desert marigolds in full bloom, mariposa lily, aster, desert lavender, and the delicate Baja fairy duster. I was especially captivated with the deep purple Stagwood Cholla, and one very unusual Saguaro cactus that developed a fascinating mutation on its crown. We were hiking under an overcast sky (nice buffer for the heat), which cast a surreal glow over the desert floor. At times, winding our way through the loomingSaguaro cacti, it felt like we had been transported to another world. The desert is such an enchanted and magical place!
No comments:
Post a Comment