Things to do / Travel Guide
The southern Arizona region is located within the Sonoran Desert, whose arid plains, rugged mountains, and stately saguaro cacti have been memorialized in countless Hollywood Western movies.
Although this is desert, the land has been farmed for thousands of years. The Hohokam Indians were the first to develop a sophisticated irrigation system, and today there are still farms where cotton, vegetables, and citrus fruits are grown.
The desert shrubs and small trees that you might encounter during your touring include palo verde, ocotillo, creosote, mesquite, and ironwood. Of course, it's the cacti that draw the most attention. In addition to the saguaro, the giant cactus whose upturned “arms” is one of the region's most familiar sights, you might also see the prickly pear, cholla, and barrel cacti. The desert blooms after the winter rains, so a visit in the early spring is the best time to see the cactus flowers.
The saguaro cactus has come to symbolize the Southwest and is native to the Sonoran Desert. The name “saguaro” is a Spanish jumbling of the Tohono O'odham tribe's original name for the plant. These amazing cacti are thought to live over 200 years and can reach over 40 feet in height. The cactus is also known for its night-blooming white flowers that are approximately 3-inches wide with a yellow center. The ribs of the cactus have been employed in the construction of small structures of the Tohono O'odham tribe and can also be seen on the roof of the Mission San Xavier del Bac.
Because of the intense desert heat, wildlife is best spotted either early in the morning or in the late afternoon or evening. Kangaroo rats, cottontails, jackrabbits, kit foxes, javelinas, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and mountain lions roam through the desert terrain. Overhead, the cactus wren, Gila woodpecker, Gambel's quail, roadrunner, hawks, eagles, owls, and common raven can be spotted.
While touring the desert, it's wise to keep an eye out for some of the region's more dangerous inhabitants. Diamondback and Sidewinder rattlesnakes are sometimes spotted. The Gila monster, which has bead-like skin with yellow and black patterns, is the United State's only poisonous lizard. Scorpions, spiders, and centipedes can inflict painful bites, as well.
The Superstitions Wilderness, located about 40 miles east of Phoenix, has some of the best desert hiking in the southwest. While the varied desert vegetation can be seen from any of the twelve trails, if you want to see larger wildlife, such as javelina, black bear, or mountain lion, head for the less traveled eastern half of the range.
Nature Spots in Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Tombstone and Southern Arizona
Nature-Wildlife
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