On New Year’s Day Judy and I went to the Sonoran Preserve, a 10,000 acre natural area just northwest of Phoenix. We chose the Apache Wash Trail for our hike, because it was nice and flat and considered fairly easy.
The preserve is ringed by low mountains. It was late afternoon with a mix of sun and clouds. The light kept shifting, producing dramatically different views.
I think this is called Teddy Bear Cholla. It looks nice and fuzzy but we were warned that its thorns were particularly vicious.
See what I mean about the light? The sun shines on the foreground while the mountains lie in the shadow of rain clouds.
I thought that this was an interesting plant with its little furry fruits.
The Apache Wash is a dry river bed that floods when the rains are strong enough. The extra moisture in the area allows grass to grow thickly in spots. It was mostly dormant, but there were also tufts of fresh green, thanks to the recent rains.
The trail crosses the dry bed. When the water flows, it’s best to stay out of the way.
Here’s a view up the Apache Wash from standing in the middle.
The banks are lined with hedge-like growths of Palo Verde.
Close up of a Saguaro Cactus.
Saguaros glowing in the late afternoon sun.
A closer look. Those holes are the entrances to nests excavated by woodpeckers.
It was a good day for walking, with mild temperatures and just enough cloud cover. If you go, you should be aware that there are no benches, bathrooms, or water fountains beyond the trail head.
This Saguaro Cactus looked like it was doing some power walking.
The Sonoran Preserve feels more remote than Papago Park, but it is still an easy drive from the middle of Phoenix. For us it provided a fulfilling eyeful of desert landscape.
gardeninacity 
Thanks for letting us know about these gardens in Phoenix. Just wanted to let you know there are several excellent gardens in Tucson. We just moved here in August from Everett, WA and have really enjoyed the gardens here. I highly recommend you and your wife visit Tohono Chul Park (I’m training to be a docent there), Tucson Botanical Garden, Sonoran Desert Museum and the Mission Garden. There’s also a large Master Gardener Demonstration Garden and even a Japanese garden.
Hope you can visit Tucson next time you’re in AZ.
Ramona
Would like to get to Tucson. We were in Phoenix because of our in-laws who live there.
You’re right the light is perfect. We didn’t get to visit this park when we were in Phoenix for a few days some years ago; your other posts have brought back some very happy memories.
Glad to bring back some good memories. We’re looking forward to future trips to Phoenix.
I’m not a dessert person, but I applaud you and your family for finding interesting holiday destinations each year. It’s a wonderful tradition.
Well, Phoenix was a destination mainly because our in-laws are there over the winter. But it’s a place worth visiting.
This is beautiful is a desert way. You captured the light beautifully. Those Teddy bear chollas are deathly. It is interesting the little starts on the ground around it.
Yeah, I noticed that too.
What a fascinating alien look. Forbidding, too.
That was our reaction: alien, but beautiful in its own way.
Such wonderful photos, Jason! I never thought desert landscapes could look so… soothing.
You have indeed captured fascinating play of colours and light.
Happy 2020!
Same to you, Sarah! We found this landscape exciting … certainly different from what we expected.
Love that hike! Glad you got out into the desert.
So are we!
Beautiful photos, Jason. Those cacti do have a lot of personality!
Yes, indeed! Prickly ones!
Great pictures, I re-live our Arizona vacation ! Thanks 😀
Happy to oblige.
I’d love to see it!
You would find it fascinating, I think.
In the second photo, the large cactus behind the teddy bear cholla is what my friends in the hill country call ‘walking stick’ cactus; it’s also a cholla. When one dies, the ‘skeleton’ looks like this. I’ve seen everything from lamp bases to earrings made from the skeletons. They’re really cool.
Interesting! Thanks for the additional info, I was wondering what that other cactus was.
Interesting photos, I really like the light on the plant with little furry fruit, and the Saguaros glowing in the evening sun, that is a beauty!
The Saguaros really have dramatic presence.
I’m not a big fan of cactus but this looks peaceful and interesting and that’s always a good combo.
It had rained for five days, so the desert was much greener than it would have been normally. Very interesting place to visit, don’t think I could live there!
Those are absolutely stunning photos! I’ve only been to Phoenix once and didn’t do much sightseeing because it was June and the temps were in the 100s. You guys were smart to visit in winter. Thanks for sharing highlights of your visit!
We got to see such spectacular light because we were very slow getting started, couldn’t get moving. We didn’t get to the desert until about three. So being lazy paid off! 😉
I couldn’t bear the heat in Phoenix during the summer. And summer really starts some time in May.
You’re definitely making long for my desert fix. I haven’t been since June of 2018 and I need to get back.
But don’t go in June! Way too hot. I think I’d like to go in February or March, for a chance to see the desert wildflowers.
Oh, those mountains! Wow! Love the cactus, how interesting hearing about the woodpecker nests. Who knew?xxx
Not I. Travel can be instructive.
Breathtaking.
Thank you!
Gorgeous photos.
All Judy’s, but thanks.
That is a fascinating landscape, and the light is quite remarkable. 😃
That was our reaction. Still, it felt very alien.
Teddy bear cholla is wicked! The spines go through boot leather, and are barbed like fish hooks!
Yikes! I’ll keep my distance.