Saguaro National Park: Tucson Mountain District (West)

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After leaving Phoenix (and picking up an Igloo cooler from Target), I drove straight to the first stop on my itinerary, the Tucson Mountain District (West) of Saguaro National Park. By the way, saguaro is pronounced <sah-WAH-row>.

When I got there, I stopped to take some pics of some giant saguaro cacti, and then I drove the unpaved Bajada Loop Drive through a veritable forest of saguaro cacti. As noted by the National Park Service, the giant saguaro is the universal symbol of the American west. These majestic plants, found only in a small portion of the United States, are protected by Saguaro National Park, which was established as a national monument in 1933 and became a national park in 1994. 

This is the first time I observed these plants up close. They are indeed majestic and magnificent. I also stopped by the Visitor Center, but it was closed. Tomorrow, I plan to visit the Rincon Mountain District (East) of Saguaro National Park.
At the Tucson Mountain District (West) Entrance

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