Surrounded by Saguaros

Wednesday, 14 September 2011 20:42

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The saguaros stand tall, silhouetted against the cloudy sky. They dot the sides of small hills and the larger mountains, taking residence on their sloping and crumbling banks, which Ranger Donna Gill calls bajadas.

They grow in abundance on these bajadas, because it's easier for the saguaros to take root there and as an added benefit they absorb mountain run-off when it rains. The Sonoran Desert is the only place where they grow, Gill says.

Saguaro National Park is an "amazing place," Gill says as she stands outside the Red Hills Visitor Center, talking about how plants benefit us. "If we take care of plants, they'll take care of us."

Gill is a ranger at the Tucson Mountain District area, otherwise known as Saguaro West. She has been a ranger for two years and because of her interest in archaeology, she has studied the subject and acquired archaeology field work certificates from Pima Community College.

She leads an archaelogical talk at Saguaro West, called Fast Food in the Desert. For about 45 minutes, she takes you on a journey with the indigenous people of the Sonoran Desert. Starting from when they followed huge animals, which she refers to as megafauna, across the Beringia land bridge nearly 12,000 years ago to their cultivation of what Gill calls the Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash. If you want to attend, her talk is held at 3:15 p.m., every Wednesday and Sunday of this month, and once on Saturday, Sept. 25.

This is only one of numerous programs held at the Saguaro National Park in September, you can find a schedule of events on their website.

Split into two parks, Saguaro West encompasses the Tucson Mountain District, while Saguaro East encompasses the Rincon Mountain District. Both Saguaro West and East are open from 7:00 a.m. to sunset, with visitor centers open from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m (closed on Christmas Day, of course).

Fees are $10 for motor vehicles and $5 for those on foot or bicycle, but receipts are valid for 7 days.

If you go to Saguaro West, remember to bring your walking shoes and plenty of water. Plus, there's a trio of other interesting destinations along the way: Old Tucson, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and the International Wildlife Museum.

Map to Saguaro West:

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Written by Katrina Arrington You are reading Surrounded by Saguaros articles

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