We moved on from Kartchner Caverns, where we have stayed before, to a county park, Gilbert Ray, adjacent to Saguaro National Park West. One of a couple of great recommendations by our friend Merry! While out on a short hike through the desert, we came upon Old Tuscon Studio where hundreds of movies have been filmed. It is mainly a tourist site now but occasional movies are still filmed there. We had a fun afternoon there, which included watching a condensed re-creation of The Hanging.

The next day we hiked up Brown Mountain in the national park. After walking back and forth to the trailhead several times (dead camera battery, forgot the phone, etc) we finally started on our hike.

We reached the peak?

We thought we reached the peak but when we went around the next curve, found another higher peak! Onward and upward!

The Saguaro cacti are everywhere! I learned that they only grow an inch in the first 10 years, and don't grow their first arm until they are around 100 years old! The ones with multiple arms are between 100-200 years old! 

An old guy

Out of control

And that's why it's called Saguaro National Park! They're everywhere!

They are majestic even in death.

 

Next, we moved on to Tuscon where we spent the day hiking with an old friend, Larry. If you ever get to Tucson, don't miss Sabino Canyon. It's beautiful and right in the city. We had a lovely dinner and breakfast with Larry before we had to move on. But not before taking advantage of a real shower in his house. 😉

Roadrunner at the entrance to Sabino Canyon

Water in the desert, at the bottom of Sabino Canyon

Cactus photobomb

We got a late start so didn't quite make it to the peak, but we have to leave something for next time!

It's always sad to leave but California is calling.

Denny crossing the creek

But first, Catalina State Park, another delightful recommendation by our friend Merry. Due to poor planning, we could only get one night. However, with so many lovely hikes and geocaches left to do, we will have to go back!

There were many creek crossings. Thank goodness for strategically placed stepping stones!