Saguaro National Park is famous for its towering saguaro cacti and iconic desert landscapes. Beyond the numerous established trails throughout the National Park, there is also hiking in the washes. These sandy, sometimes rocky streams, become vibrant corridors of life after a good rain and offer a unique perspective on the Sonoran Desert.
Hiking, Saguaro National Park
We hiked daily on this trip. In the past both of us could only go on limited hikes because of Jake. He wasn’t allowed on trails in Saguaro National Park or Tucson Mountain Park. However, now that he passed away, we could take long hikes and not worry about leaving him behind. Our favorite hikes were the Hugh Norris Trail and Sabino Canyon.
Washes
This hike was to a wash on the northern end of the Saguaro National Park West. Washes reveal a different side of the park.
Here, we’ve seen a diverse range of plants.
Parry’s penstemon, lupine, poppy, desert globemallow and pink fairy duster are a few.
Ocotillo, desert larkspur, primrose and desert chicory.
There are also animals like deer, coyotes, cottontail, javelina and rattlesnakes. In the spring when the saguaro are blooming, the cactus have plenty of birds gorging of the nectar rich flowers.
Bees enjoying a moist area dug up by a larger animal. We came across this a couple of other times while hiking the washes. Reportedly, these moist exposed areas supply water, minerals, and mud for the bees.
Gila woodpeckers, hummingbirds and cactus wrens were frequently seen.
Washes can be dangerous after heavy rains. We always check the weather forecast before heading out. If rain is predicted in the forecast, we avoid hiking in washes entirely. Flash floods can occur with surprising speed.
The sand and decomposed rock is loose and hard to walk on so sturdy shoes are essential. There are petroglyphs left behind by ancient cultures and evidence of grinding spots on the rocks. Washes showcase the power of erosion, revealing layers of rock and the fascinating story of the desert’s geologic past.
It was time to head back to San Diego. We stayed in Yuma, Arizona. It was the last night their bar was open for the season.
