Posted by John Williams on February 25, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Hi all ,
I'm popping in from the Pacific Northwest group because I'll be traveling to Arizona next week and hope to get out for a few days and shoot wildflowers. I hope to drive from Chandler to Organ Pipe, over to Tucson, and back to Chandler. Anyone from that area have recommendations on good spots to hit? Are the flowers doing well in this area, or should I head farther west?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Posted by Tony Graber on February 26, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Hi John!
Not sure about Organ Pipe, but not too many wildflowers around Tucson, yet. There are reports of wildflowers at Picacho Peak, on I-10 between Chandler (Phoenix) and Tucson. I was out by Kitt Peak Observatory this past Saturday, February 23rd, but did not see any wildflowers blooiming in the areas around Kitt Peak. Kitt Peak is approximately 1/2 way between Tucson and Organ Pipe.
Here is a good web site to look at for AZ wildflowers:
http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html
Hopefully, somebody else will have more info for you!
Tony
Posted by Bob Falcone on February 26, 2008 at 1:01 AM
According to the weather guy on KOLD TV that I just now watched, the wildflower season in the Tucson area should be "the best in the last 10 years" and should be starting much earlier than usual. I was in the Saguaro NF this morning, and did see some rather large buds on some barrel cactus, but nothing in bloom just yet.
Posted by Cindy Bell on February 26, 2008 at 2:27 AM
p.s. Just had a look at the desertusa.com (http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html) and see that there were better flowers on the other two drives! The poppies look wonderful about three miles further south from where I was!
Cindy
Posted by John Williams on February 27, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Thanks for the feedback! I'll post a note when I return on what I find.
I was just at Picacho Peak on Saturday and, while there were some wildflowers (mostly Mexican Poppies, I think), there was more evidence that a couple of weeks from now will be much better.
Still have not heard anything about Organ Pipe, but Gila Bend, on I-8, west of Casa Grande on the way to San Diego, has had great reports (and Pics on the afore-mentioned DesertUSA site) looks very promising. Gila Bend is still in the general area of what you mentioned in your original post and could be on the way to Organ Pipe from Chandler, then back to Tucson. Keep and eye on that DesertUSA website.
Discussion
5 repliesI'm popping in from the Pacific Northwest group because I'll be traveling to Arizona next week and hope to get out for a few days and shoot wildflowers. I hope to drive from Chandler to Organ Pipe, over to Tucson, and back to Chandler. Anyone from that area have recommendations on good spots to hit? Are the flowers doing well in this area, or should I head farther west?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Not sure about Organ Pipe, but not too many wildflowers around Tucson, yet. There are reports of wildflowers at Picacho Peak, on I-10 between Chandler (Phoenix) and Tucson. I was out by Kitt Peak Observatory this past Saturday, February 23rd, but did not see any wildflowers blooiming in the areas around Kitt Peak. Kitt Peak is approximately 1/2 way between Tucson and Organ Pipe.
Here is a good web site to look at for AZ wildflowers:
http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html
Hopefully, somebody else will have more info for you!
Tony
Cindy
I was just at Picacho Peak on Saturday and, while there were some wildflowers (mostly Mexican Poppies, I think), there was more evidence that a couple of weeks from now will be much better.
Still have not heard anything about Organ Pipe, but Gila Bend, on I-8, west of Casa Grande on the way to San Diego, has had great reports (and Pics on the afore-mentioned DesertUSA site) looks very promising. Gila Bend is still in the general area of what you mentioned in your original post and could be on the way to Organ Pipe from Chandler, then back to Tucson. Keep and eye on that DesertUSA website.
Tony