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James Stoness
View across the Sonoran Desert
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Picasa
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James Stoness
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James Stoness
Guided tour
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James Stoness
Joshua trees on trail
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James Stoness
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James Stoness
Pincushion Cactus
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James Stoness
Story & photos by James Stoness
It may be called a desert museum, but it is in fact an excellent 40 ha (98 ac) mix of museum, plant gardens, and a zoo. Its location on a saguaro cactus covered bajada overlooking the western desert is perfect.
About 85% of the displays are outdoors and the focus is on the natural history of the local region, the Sonora desert. That’s what makes it so useful to the winter visitor to the desert. It has almost everything you would eventually find in the desert, but it’s drawn together in a small area, which you can visit in less than a day. The 3.2 km (2 mi) of walking trails pass through a variety of desert vegetation with interpretive signs along the way. You may go in not knowing what you are looking at, but the descriptions and names are right there. Roaming, or caged in this area are 230 desert species native to this desert.
The entrance building is the opening to a world of adventure and discovery. A trail brochure is available to aid you in travelling to the various displays. As in the desert outside, the zoo, animals and plants exist in zones defined by elevation, heat, and proximity to water.
I like to go out directly to the trails and leave the inside, darker sections until later. Take your refillable water container with you because they have installed water refill stations. With your straw hat and sunscreen to protect you from the sun, and your water bottle at your side you are ready for the desert.
My first choice is the 0.8 km (0.5 mi) Desert Loop Trail, a bit of a challenge, short but dry, dusty and bumpy. This is the home of the coyotes, and the javelinas. You may be used to coyotes, but the javelinas (sort of a big desert piggy) may be new to you. They like to travel in bands, stopping to dig up roots and bulbs. They love to destroy prickly pear cacti, munching away on them, spines and all. You know who has stopped by when you see a prickly pear patch that has been torn apart and flattened. They will often do the same to a tent left with food in it!
This area is also home to the monarch of the desert, the huge, tall, often many armed, saguaro. They are massive, but very slow growing. It may take ten years to grow 3.8 cm (1.5 in) and up to 50 years to reach shoulder height. They are easily damaged when small, so stay on trails. You will find them using a nurse plant such as palo verde, to grow in for protection. The roots extend out as far as the saguaro is tall. Inside the plant is a juicy part but it contains oxalic acid and can make the drinker sick. They are pollinated in daytime by doves and at night by bats.
This trail provides great views across the desert. As you climb back up the hill, take time to visit Cat Canyon for a chance to see the bobcats, fox, and ocelots.
Continue the trail into the Riparian Corridor and stop at the Cactus Garden where you get a chance to see large numbers of cactus species including the many branched organ pipe cactus and the compact short, fat, fishhook barrel cactus. Wonderful hooks on that one, but don’t get caught on them. And when in a desert definitely stay away from the cute, but mean, teddy bear cholla. Sometimes it’s called the jumping cholla, attested to by many hikers who find bits of it stuck on their shoes, and skin. Don’t attempt to pull them off with your fingers, or you’ll find them stuck on the barbs as well. Use a comb, or a pair of sticks to pull them free. I have chased one of these balls of spines up one side of a finger and down the other side, leaving little drops of blood from the spines.
Further down this trail you will hear water flowing and discover a bit of shade. You’ll see river otters, and beavers and the strange coatimundis. There are big horn sheep here as well.
The walk-in aviary is phenomenal with nearly 40 species. The cactus wren is a favourite as the male sits high on a cactus and sings the day away. I’m not sure why he is so happy because he often has to build a whole host of nests before the female decides that one is right for her. Other birds will be the Gambel’s quail marching across patches of sand, chattering steadily. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a roadrunner sprinting ahead of you.
On the other side of the museum is the Mountain Woodland. This is the home of larger animals, including bear, deer, wolves, and the thick billed parrots. From here you can make your way back to the reptile viewing area.
The Gilbert Ray Campground is near the Desert Museum and has a nice view with a 130 RV sites. Campsites are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so if you want a site, arrive early.
Plan for a day. Relax in a shady area while you eat your lunch, and gaze across the desert. It’s a very enlightening place to explore, and you don’t want to have to rush. Snowbirds are there at the best time of year, when the desert is cooler. Enjoy it this year.