Saguaro National Park, AZ

Gould Mine

I hiked among hills covered in cacti to a long-disused copper mine. With their large size, the Saguaro Cacti especially stood out.

Many, Many Cacti

The Majestic Saguaro

I saw some wildflowers in various stages of blooming beside the trail.

Trailing Windmill

Scorpionweed

At the mine site were relics such as colorful tailings piles, a covered mine shaft, and the remains of a stone building.

Gould Mine Tailings

Mortared Rock Structure

Wasson Peak

As I climbed to the top of Wasson Peak, I was afforded excellent views of the near and distant landscape.

Hills

Mountains Rise from the Desert Floor

At a closer distance I could see many Saguaro Cacti.

Trail Climbs among the Cacti

Saguaro Cacti in the Sunlight

There were also other species of cacti, each unique and interesting in their own way.

Buds on a Teddybear Cholla

Fishhook Barrel Cactus
(or is it an alien?)

The higher I climbed, the more wildflowers there seemed to be.

Hackberry Beardtongue
(love the name)

Desert Poppies

I thought Wasson Peak was the dark mountain in front of me. It turned out it was hiding behind the ridge I was hiking along.

Dark, Imposing Mountain

Wasson Peak

From atop Wasson Peak, the highest point in the area, I looked out over the other mountains, hills, valleys, and the trail I'd just traveled.

Rain Clouds over the Mountains

Trail Follows the Ridgeline

Kings Canyon

I wasn't able to take many photos in Kings Canyon due to a storm. Luckily, the rain was light and did not last very long. The clouds lingered for quite a while longer.

Clouds and Rain Move in Quickly

Storm Departs

When the sun did begin to peak through, I gained a better view of the countless cacti dotting the hillsides.

Countless Cacti

Cacti-Studded Hill

And of course, there were other plants of various colors and shapes to enjoy.

Schott's Century Plant
(during the storm)

Fishhook Barrel Cactus
(I especially liked the red spines)

Bridal Wreath Falls

This hike in the eastern section of the national park began on the edge of a residential area that quickly made its way into hills studded with Saguaro Cacti.

Saguaro Forest

Cacti on Rocky Hillside

Along the way, a few individual cacti stood out to me.

Solo Saguaro

Hand With Too Many Fingers
(or a fork with too many tines)

Fruit of a Fishhook Barrel Cactus
(they are supposed to be edible)

The trail was bordered by many types of desert plants both big and small.

Large Saguaro Cactus Guards the Trail

Velvet Mesquite and Prickly Pear Cacti

Blooming wildflowers added color to the landscape.

Desert Chicory

Pink Fairy Duster

Various birds flitted from branch to branch and sang their personal songs.

White Crowned Sparrow

While not very big, the waterfall still made a cool and beautiful oasis amidst the desert.

Bridal Wreath Falls