Picacho Peak State Park
Posted By auntie on January 18, 2016
2 miles; Eloy, AZ
We met some friends here for a hike and picnic. The climb was too much for me, both because I couldn’t use the provided cables to pull myself up with my wonky shoulder, and because I simply couldn’t keep up. Short legs, ya know. So one of our party and I wandered around the easy trails through the park while the 2 hubs climbed most of the way up to the peak.
Picacho Peak
This Arizona State Park is at a much lower elevation than we’re [recently] used to; most of the park is in the 2000–2500-foot range, while the peak itself is 3300 feet. At this elevation, the temperatures don’t get cold enough to kill the lovely saguaro cactus that are everywhere through here.
Teddy Bear Cholla, Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Saguaro aren’t the only cactus in the park. We came across this little teddy bear cholla, too. Doesn’t it look fuzzy and soft? It’s not—those spines are sharp and barbed. I’m guessing the name Teddy Bear was ironic.
Brittlebush Encelia farinosa
There were even some flowers… this is a shrub called brittlebush. It is an herb that is used medicinally, and glue and sealants can be made from the resin. And said resin was even used as incense by missionaries.
You can find out more about Picacho Peak State Park at the Arizona State Parks website.
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