Saguaro National Park West - Tuesday, March 11, 2025

 Saguaro National Park West 

We have lived in Oro Valley, Arizona since late June 2020. This is a beautiful and diverse area of Arizona. We are in the northern reaches of the Sonoran Desert. And we have not done any exploring. 

Initially, our excuse was that it was in the middle of the pandemic and many things were closed to visitors. But now, that excuse no longer holds water. 

So, this last Tuesday, we headed for the Saguaro National Park West. Saguaro National Park exists in 2 parts, East and West. With the City of Tucson between bracketed by the two halves. Oro Valley is then a little north of Tucson. 

The Saguaro cactus is unique to the Sonoran Desert. They aren’t as plentiful as they once were, but it is still quite the sight to look out across the desert and see thousands of these remarkable sentinels of the desert. We have a very nice one in our backyard. It is just beginning to grow its second arm. The new arm is a little larger than a softball and it has been growing for four years.

The Park protects these cacti as well as the desert flora and fauna. It is estimated that there are about 1.8 million Saguaro in the Park. The Saguaro lives to about 200 years old and can reach a height of 60’. The first “arm” on a Saguaro occurs when the plant is between 50 and 70 years old. 

This is a "Cholla". Very prevalent in the area and something
you do not want to get too close to.

This is what is left when a Saguaro dies.

A beautiful specimen!

Many of the Ocotillo were in bloom. The leaves come out
after a rain.

We took a short hike to see some petroglyphs. The petroglyphs are estimated to be between 800 and 1000 years old. The trails in this area of the park were improved by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) sometime between 1933 – 1941. 

Some of the petroglyphs from below.

Once we got to the top, there were lots.

We spent a very pleasant morning among the cacti and on the way home, stopped by a café for lunch.