Heading to Saguaro

I am driving down to Tucson area this weekend, planned to go to Picacho peak and around .. didn't find much information in the updates link down below.
Not that I can cancel the trip if wildflowers are not showing up but was wondering if I can divert in an extreme situation and try something else.

Anyone has any updates on the situation or any advice regarding hot spots for a morning / afternoon shoot ?

Thanks ....

http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

My inlaws are just north of Tucson in Marana. I'll give them a call later today to see what conditions are like.

Soubhik, its a little early for the wildflowers and cactus flora. With the deep freeze that we had a couple of weeks ago and little rain during Oct-Dec,wildflowers are questionable for this season. Desert floor is beginning to show some greening; ocotillo are showing leaves indicating blooms will follow; other cactus species that were not injured by the freeze are showing signs that blooms will be out in awhile. The Trichosereous(sp?) normally starts to bloom by mid-March. Hoping history repeats.

Try the Gates Pass, Saguaro National West and East, and the Desert Museum for cactus, landscapes, sunrises and sunsets. Also, the Sweetwater Preserve for birds.

Bill Brennan

I would not expect to see any poppies in SE AZ for at least another 4 weeks based on last years bloom.

Ditto the above

You might also check the Boyce Thompson Arboretum if you have some time. It's outside of Phoenix. I've heard a lot good things about it.

http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/

The first flowers in southern AZ usually occurs in Organ Pipe NM

I live in Phoenix and I don"t think there is going to be much. I was on the phone to Organ Pipe last week and they said they didn't expect the bloom until closer to April because of the lack of rain in December. Are you driving down from Colorado or are you flying? I don't know...there really aren't a lot of options this time of year. The weather should be really nice though and there is certainly plenty to do. You just might not catch the flowers.

HikeArizona.com has a 45-Day Wildflower Report which is moderately useful. I'd also guess that you're pretty early, but worst-case scenario is that you have to make do with exotic cacti and rugged rock formations.

Thanks a lot for the info. At least I will be prepared for No wildflowers
@Michael - I am driving down from Colorado Friday afternoon.

I talked today with a guy who works at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. He said wildflowers this year will be slim since what few rains we had this winter did not come at the right times. There may be isoloted flowers, but nothing like last spring's event.