Saguaro National Park.......

Saguaro National Park is practically in our backyard. For more information, click here. It is right next Tucson Mountain Park, another nice hiking area. We visited here last year, and took a few short hikes and we were ready for another. After a stop in the Visitor's Center, we decided to hike the Signal Mountain/Cactus Wren trail, a combined total of about 4 miles. It was a bit late in the afternoon, and that length was just perfect for the time we had.

Did I ever mention how much we enjoy the desert environment? Well, in the winter, that is! Hiking is just so enjoyable. You never know what you will see. Though the environment looks desolate at first, it is NOT. Its is alive with lots of plants and animals, birds, insects and snakes. When it is cool out, we don't usually see snakes...double bonus for me!! Ha! It really is just beautiful. Amazingly, Tom even spotted a deer off the trail. It bolted so fast I didn't even see it. I wonder what else we were walking by?

To access the trailhead, we drove down a winding dirt road, through a field of cactus. The mountains in the distance were just gorgeous. Serene scenery. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

entering the park

view outside the Visitor's Center...we took a short walk here too

heading out to the trailhead (good to have a jeep if you live out west!)

love the saguaros....looks like they are all waving "hi", doesn't it?

the scenery is beautiful

not too much in bloom at this time of year

ready?

we were here last year too

the petroglyphs are up on this hill

some of the saguaros here are so tall

a "field" of saguaros

the colors of the southwest are so vibrant

great scenery along the hike

the sun is brutal

gorgeous

the desert has a special beauty to it

wow...a bit tall!

always some unexpected beauty to find (if you look)

we love these "cactus trees" too...not sure what they are called and I'm too lazy to look it up

the saguaros are like snowflakes....all different

the mountains surrounding the desert are beautiful

are we there yet?

so pretty

another pretty view

wow!

the sun is very strong

beautiful

the views are amazing

saguaros are all so different and some seem to be "talking" to us...these are saying "peace out" and "hi", don't you think?

some are really crazy looking

hmmm....this way?

a "ballerina"???

hmm...getting out the gps...don't want to walk along the sandy wash if its the wrong way...hahahha

this is interesting! See, beauty all around- just have to look

that cactus seems to be saying "hey buddy, go that way"

such a nice trail

one more mile or so

admiring the views

pretty as a picture

looks like the rest of the trail is down the sandy wash...like walking on the beach with no water! A good workout!

what is THAT?

back in the wash...but at least there is shade

a quick drink at the picnic area...isn't it nice?

built with dead saguaros

"BYE BYE NOW!"

the colors are gorgeous....really! So red and green!  (and did I mention the sunsets?)