January 3, 2023 – TUCSON
We arrive in Tucson late morning and we are lucky to get the last dry( i.e not for RV) camp spot at the Gilbert Ray Campgrounds in the Tucson Mountain Park, on the West side of Tucson. It is $10 per night (there are no showers). The site is small and narrow but we are glad to have it!
We settle in and start looking on the net for a room to stay for a few weeks until the weather picks up. Paul places an ad on Craigslist( free online ads) and within the hour someone phones saying that they have a double room with en suite for rent in North Tucson. We agree to go and see it the next day.
January 4, 2023 – Gilbert Ray Campgrounds – Tucson Mountain Park
We were told yesterday to come at the registration desk first thing in the morning to see about booking a larger site. We do and get one closer to the bathrooms block with more space and a nice view.
The campgrounds is not far from some trail heads and we decide to do the Brown Mountain Trail ( 4 miles). We are now in the Sonoran desert and surrounded by the magnificent saguaros ! You find this cactus in southern Arizona and western Sonora, Mexico.
SAGUARO CACTUS FACT SHEET ( extract from Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum website)
The saguaro is the largest cactus in the United States.
1- Identifying Features
The saguaro cactus is one of the defining plants of the Sonoran Desert. These plants are large, tree-like columnar cacti that develop branches (or arms) as they age ( when over 75 years old ), although some never grow arms. These arms generally bend upward and can number over 25. Saguaros are covered with protective spines, white flowers in the late spring, and red fruit in summer.
The most important factors for growth are water and temperature. If the elevation is too high, the cold weather and frost can kill the saguaro. Although the Sonoran Desert experiences both winter and summer rains, it is thought that the Saguaro obtains most of its moisture during the summer rainy season.(Monsoon Season)
2- Size
Saguaro are very slow growing cactus. A 10 year old plant might only be 1.5 inches tall. Saguaro can grow to be between 40-60 feet tall (12-18m). When rain is plentiful and the saguaro is fully hydrated it can weigh between 3200-4800 pounds.
3-Life Span
With the right growing conditions, it is estimated that saguaros can live to be as much as 150-200 years old.
4- Other facts
Most of the saguaros roots are only 4-6 inches deep and radiate out as far from the plant as it is tall. There is one deep root, or tap root that extends down into the ground more than 2 feet.
After the saguaro dies its woody ribs can be used to build roofs, fences, and parts of furniture. The holes that birds nested in or “saguaro boots” can be found among the dead saguaros. Native Americans used these as water containers long before the canteen was available.
