Saguaro National Park

Monday morning, bright and early we headed off to the Eastern division of Saguaro National Park. After all the rain last winter the desert is beautifully green.

The drive round East Saguaro is called Cactus Forest Drive and at one time really was a saguaro forest.

Saguaro’s are surprisingly delicate and can and do die if the temperature falls below freezing for over 20 hours. A couple of very cold winters in the 20th century killed swathes of them. Mesquite and other desert plants are used as nurse plants and saguaro are now gradually re-establishing themselves.

Some photographs below.

There are hiking and horse trails in the park and there were lots of cyclists and walkers in the park this morning.

It was very hot so no hiking for us today, we headed home and spent some time in the pool and hot tub and then retired to a shady spot with a beer and a book.

Have fun, we are!