The Saguaro cactus grows very slowly at first - an inch or so during their first six to eight years. It may be 70 years before they sprout branches, or arms. They reach full height, 40-50 feet, at about age 150! The tallest may reach 75 feet and weigh several tons.
We drove the jeep 40 miles from The San Pedro RV Park near Benson, AZ to the east section of this national park. We stopped at the visitor center for the required magnet and decided on the Tanque Verde Trail for our hike. We hiked 2.5 miles to the ridge. It was a rocky, steep hike with an elevation change from 3,093 to 4,593 feet. The views were great. The park is beautiful and the cacti are majestic. All of Tucson was visible for much of the hike.
When we exited the park it was dinner time and we stopped at the Saguaro Corners Restaurant that is close to the entrance to the park. The food was good and so was the chardonnay which was certainly earned by me (the older person with the shorter legs).
Tucson down below