Picacho Peak & Casa Grande
03/02/2005
03/02/2005
Picacho Peak was supposed to have a nice selection of wildflowers, so we figured we'd go and see.
We decided not to try for the peak today, but contented ourselves with enjoying the flowers and other plants.
Weather conditions could not have been better. Sunny, not too warm, and a light breeze.
After our hike we decided to visit Casa Grande National Monument. Arizona is just full of these marvelous places, ancient home of the Hohakam - "those who are gone"
Don, Arleen & I starting up the trail.
I loved this shot of Arleen & I heading off into the Cactus Forrest
Artsy shot of a cholla
Don't you just love saguaros? These two are hugging each other
Poppies were abundant
More beautiful saguaro cactus. They are only found in the Sonoran Desert
More poppies
That's Picacho Peak. We'll save that climb for another day
These are poppies, lupine and wild wheat
Some lupine
We had a lot more shots of flowers but you get the idea
Casa Grande
This is all that remains of the Big House
The structures are fragile and some attempts have been made to stabilize them
This is a round tailed ground squirrel. They pop up all over the ruins and are just adorable