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!
The week following the Prison Camp hike (see
post below), Dan and I once again joined the hiking group from our RV Park for
another trek into the desert and mountains, this time to Wasson Peak. At first
glance, it would seem that most desert hikes in the Tucson area are all the
same. And there is no doubt about it, in this environment you will see acres
and acres of cactus (especially the ever-present Saguaro and Teddy Bear Cholla),
with a landscape that appears to be unchanging, as far as the eye can see. But,
if you pay close enough attention, you will find something unique on every
trail – variation in plant life, subtle changes in color, light, and shadow, the
absence or presence of water, views from the top of the mountain, and possibly
even wildlife sightings.
Our January 26th hike began at the Hugh
Norris Trail located in the Saguaro National Park, and is the most popular
choice for reaching Wasson Peak, climbing about 2200-feet and 5.5-miles before
reaching the top. Although it was an effort to make this climb, the sweeping
panoramas from the summit were well worth it, including the Brown Mountain and
Golden Gate Mountain to the south, the Rincon and Santa Catalina mountain ranges
to the east, and Mount Lemmon (one of the Tucson area’s tallest mountains) to
the east. After a brief rest at the summit for lunch, and to take in the views,
it was 5.5-miles back down the hill. But, I found it hard to complain too much
after finding out that two of the men in our group were aged 88 and 89 (and one
of them a hike leader). To me, that was as impressive as everything else about
this hike!
