Sharing Our Travels : Ironwood Trail in Saguaro National Park

Wednesday, Dec. 10. It was another 75 degree warm day in the desert with lots of blue sky. The early morning brought out 32 people for the hike. That was a good crowd! It is probably because we are still experiencing unusually warm days for this time of year. But that is due to change this weekend with rain, wind, and 60 degree days for the next couple of of weeks. But that doesn’t stop most of us. Cool weather is better for hiking anyway. More and more folks are showing up for the winter season. The Ironwood Trail is part of the Saguaro National Forest but not actually in the National Park area where visitor fees are required. We always get an early start while the morning is a bit cool and it is so pretty watching the sun get higher and cast shadows across the desert. The scenery is always just so stunning no matter which trail we take.

The hike was 4 miles and we just meandered up and down the hills, through the wash, and over rocks stopping along the way to identify native plants and take pictures. Of course we are all talking and getting to know each other and renew friendships. The cacti were thick and other surrounding different species of cactus and brush were so lush and green. The desert seemed to be holding on to every bit of moisture left from the last rain about 6 days ago. This particular mountain, below, seemed to be our guiding focal point as the trail gave us lots of views of it from many parts of the trail. Even the moon was visible in the deep blue sky.

I love the way the cacti grow right up the side of the rocky bluffs and even seem to grow right from the rocks themselves. The bluffs are so colorful against the sky. It was just such a beautiful day out there!