Tag Archives: Sonoran Desert

Coronado Peak Trail (Coronado National Monument, AZ)

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Andrew Wojtanik

Gaining 300 feet in elevation, the Coronado Peak Trail tackles a summit at the southern end of Arizona’s Huachuca Mountains, one of many “sky islands” in the area. Named for famed Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, this is the … Continue reading →

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Chiricahua Big Loop (Chiricahua National Monument, AZ)

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Andrew Wojtanik

At first glance, the Chiricahua Mountains of southeast Arizona appear little different from the hundreds of other small ranges of the Basin and Range area, which spans from southern Oregon and Idaho down to Mexico: an abrupt north-south range rising … Continue reading →

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Fort Bowie Trail Loop (Fort Bowie National Historic Site, AZ)

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Andrew Wojtanik

– Civil War Series – At a time when most eyes were on the major battlefields of the Civil War out east, the Union Army was engaged in 1962 in a series of smaller skirmishes in the American Southwest with … Continue reading →

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Scenic – Packrat Trail Loop (Saguaro National Park, AZ)

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Andrew Wojtanik

Southern Arizona’s Saguaro National Park—split into two districts separated by the San Luis Valley—feels in some ways like a local park due to its proximity to Tucson, Arizona’s second-largest city. Taking off from this neighborhood or that, numerous hiking trails … Continue reading →

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Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail (Superstition Wilderness, AZ)

Posted on March 20, 2022 by Andrew Wojtanik

Described as “one of the state’s top ten hikes to experience” and one of the “best hikes near Phoenix,” Flatiron in Arizona’s Superstition Wilderness offers an exceptionally scenic vista, but most hikers will remember it for its challenging and unique … Continue reading →

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Bridal Wreath Falls & Little Wildhorse Tank Loop (Saguaro National Park, AZ)

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Andrew Wojtanik

Abutting the northwestern fringes of the Rincon Mountains, the Cactus Forest in Saguaro National Park’s eastern district boasts a rich diversity of plant life, including prickly pear, red barrel, and saguaro cacti and various cholla species. A network of hiking … Continue reading →

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Wasson Peak Loop (Saguaro National Park, AZ)

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Andrew Wojtanik

Wasson Peak (4,687′) is the highest point in the Tucson Mountains, a small range of cactus-dotted heights situated just west of Arizona’s second largest city. Reaching the summit is one of the more popular hikes in Saguaro National Park’s Tucson … Continue reading →

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Arch Canyon (Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ)

Posted on January 22, 2022 by Andrew Wojtanik

Stenocereus thurberi, or organ pipe cactus, is the primary draw of the park bearing its name. But visitors to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southwestern Arizona are also rewarded with sweeping views of rugged mountain landscapes, broad valleys, and … Continue reading →

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Piestewa Peak (Phoenix Mountains Preserve, AZ)

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Andrew Wojtanik

Piestewa Peak (2,608’) is the second-highest summit in the Phoenix Mountains, a smattering of cactus-covered peaks in the heart of Arizona’s largest metropolis. Situated inside the Phoenix city limits, Piestewa Peak is extremely popular, but the panoramic views across nearly … Continue reading →

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