Saguaro - East Unit and Mt. Lemon Scenic Byway

SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK - EAST UNIT

Saguaro Rincon Mountain District is on the east side of Tucson.

We noticed that the density of the Saguaro Cactus was less in the East Unit than in the West Unit. We learned that the park put an end to cattle grazing rights here in the 1990's. The cactus are slowly recovering.

We learned that the Saguaro reaches the height of a man at about 35 years of age. It will begin growing arms at about 60-75 years old and can live 150+ years.

The Santa Catalina Mountains are off in the distance.

We drove the eight mile scenic loop at the base of the Rincon Mountains.

There are over 25 varieties of cactus found in Saguaro National Park.

 This variety of cholla cactus is called a Jumping Cactus.

 

SKY ISLAND SCENIC BYWAY TO MOUNT LEMON

We picked up the Sky Island Scenic Byway at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains. This Byway climbs more than 6,300 feet, winding up the southern flank of the Santa Catalina Mountains thirty miles to the top of 9,157 foot Mount Lemon.

The Byway starts in the Sonoran Desert and passes through 5 distinct life zones.

When we reached the higher elevation, we began to see the aspen in their fall foliage.

View from near the top of Mount Lemon.

Descending, we noticed the road below from the Windy Point overlook.

This rock formation, Hitchcock Pinnacle, is named after General Frank Hitchcock, who was inspirational in creating this beautiful scenic drive, completed in 1939.

When we left the desert floor the temperature was 86. At the top it was 52. This was a most interesting and beautiful afternoon drive.