Saguaro National Park (east side)

 February 23, 2021

Started off this morning with a call from the Spring Repair Shop cancelling our appointment tomorrow because a mechanic is out.  We can't reschedule here as we leave on Thursday.  Time to figure out a new plan.  The springs are all fine right now, just concerned since the 2 on the right side having broken when will the ones on the left decide to break?  Keep a good thought for us.

This morning we headed over to the East Side of Saguaro National Park

The Visitor Center was closed, but they set up some informational tables and had park brochures and a hiking trail info sheet.  I still miss park ranger led hikes and visitor center movies but we are getting more self-sufficient.  

The east side has a paved 6 mile loop road, Cactus Forest Loop Drive.  It is one way for most of it which made for a comfortable drive, top speed was 15 mph.

There are more mesquite trees on this side.  

Fewer Saguaro here, but those here are impressive.  This one has so many arms.

Jim out on the dusty trail.  It was in the 80's today which made it feel extra dry, it is a desert, so dry is no surprise.

Here is one of the washes we crossed.  I know water does come thru here seasonally but today it is hard to believe that water has ever been here.

A hard rock wall just appeared after a mile of flat trail.

Does this cactus make me look short?

I donned a hat today to help shield some sun.

"Copper mining was an economic adventure in Arizona in the 1880's.  The mounds and depressions here are the remains of a 350 foot shaft dug by the Loma Verde Copper Company in 1901."

"Though this site yielded ore of 16% copper the mine soon closed.

The greenish rocks around here are copper ore."

Mountains surround us on the trails today.

A chain cholla, quite purple-ly.

Saguaro catcus and mountains taken from the Pink Hill Outlook.

The views were very nice today.

This trail was flat but twisty.

You can't help noticing the blooming barrel cactus with its bright yellow fruit.

Cactus are nice but the mountains command attention.

Blue sky always is a great back drop.

This is a riparian area (relating to or situated on the banks of a river). 

This is a picture of this area when water runs thru it.

 "After heavy summer rains, the canyon below may contain a raging torrent."

Hard to believe all that water just disappears.

This is up at Javelina Rocks.  "The rocks in this area are composed of Catalina Gneiss - ancient granite changed by forces deep in the earth along a detachment fault.  Now raised to the surface, the rocks reveal bands of minerals, caused by the stretching and movement of the earth's crust."

We also found shade up here and enjoyed it greatly.

Happy faces in the shade.

We opted to have lunch here, the view was great.

The east side was nice, drop by if you get the chance.

Time to drive back to the campground for some refreshment.

And while not a sponsor of the blog we would like to note if you like a flavored margarita we find this one delicious. Grapefruit Tangerine Margarita by Jose Cuervo.

Another good day.

February 24, 2021

Chore day as tomorrow is a travel day.

Laundry check, filled water jug check, prepared for departure tomorrow.

Time to take a breather and read a book.

Thank you Tucson we had fun.