SAGUARO NATIONAL MONUMENT 18 Miles East of Tucson, Arizona 15¢...

Saguaro National Monument is one of more than 175 units administered by the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior. They include such outstanding scenic areas as Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks and other Parks and Monuments set aside for their scenic, scientific, historic or archeologic values. These superb areas are yours and are a part of your heritage as American citizens. The National Park Service has the job of preserving the Parks and Monuments in their natural, u

Photographers will note that several trails have been laid out for their convenience. These lead to particularly fine specimens and groups of Saguaros, but have not been developed as permanent trails. They are merely guides to the better photographic locations. The best time to photograph the Cactus Forest is late in the afternoon when the lengthening shadows make the cactus stand out in bold relief. Excellent views of the forest, with the Santa Catalina Mountains in the background, may be had f

If you are interested in the work of the National Park Service and in the cause of conservation in general, you can give active expression of this interest, and lend support by aligning yourself with one of the numerous conservation organizations which act as spokesmen for those who wish our scenic heritage to be kept unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations. Names and addresses of conservation organizations may be obtained from the ranger. KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL Ray Manley photo...

In 1933 President Herbert Hoover by presidential proclamation created Saguaro National Monument. Within its boundaries is found the magnificent forest of mature Saguaros that is recognized as the finest stand of this great cactus in the United States. It is one of the few National Monuments dedicated to the protection and preservation of a native plant species. It is also one of the most diversified of our National Monuments. With an altitudinal range of over 5,000 feet its 63,000-acre area enco

The Saguaro ( Carnegiea gigantea ) is the largest cactus native to the United States. Common in northwestern Mexico, its range north of the border is limited to southern Arizona, with the exception of a few isolated small colonies along the California side of the Colorado river. It grows on low desert plains and foothills in the hot dry climate of the Lower Sonoran Zone. A prominent feature of this desert landscape is the great variety of xerophytic (especially modified to exist on limited water

ROCK PARAPET—Approximately 200 years ago prevailing climatic conditions were of such nature as to permit germination of a large number of Saguaro seeds, creating the more or less even-aged stand of Giant Saguaros we see here today. The Tanque Verde Mountains to the east are composed largely of crystalline rocks formed under conditions of great heat and pressure. They were elevated by movements of the earth’s crust and now are gradually being eroded away. The Tucson Valley to the north is in real

CRISTATE SAGUARO—This abnormal growth, called a cristate, is of rare occurrence. Many theories have been advanced as to what causes these “crests” but none hold true in all cases. Although the cause is unknown, the pattern of their growth is simple. Instead of growing in three directions the cells of a cristate grow only upward and outward in two. This results in a fan-shaped malformation with a long growing line in the center of the upper edge. Although a cristate may apparently develop from an

NATURE TRAIL—Along this 300-yard trail you will find most of the important plants native to the Cactus Forest. Each plant is labelled with both common and scientific names, together with much additional information. THE DESERT AND THE MOUNTAINS The Tanque Verde (green tank) and Rincon (inside corner) Mountains are an important part of Saguaro National Monument. This is presently the “back country” of the monument. The mountainous section has a wide variety of interests in the field of biology. T

VIEW OF WEST SLOPE OF TANQUE VERDE MOUNTAINS—Saguaro cacti growing up to an elevation of 4,000 feet. The country you see here is a good example of what is called the Lower Sonoran life zone. Here you may expect such typical desert animals as the Roadrunner, Gambel Quail, Kangaroo Rat, Jackrabbit and the Javelina or “wild pig”....

JAVELINA DEN ( hah-veh-LEE-nah )—In these undercuts the Javelinas (or Peccary) often hide during the day to escape from the heat of the sun. At night many Javelinas are often present in this particular area due to the abundance of Jojoba bushes. From the view point near the Javelina Den a striking view may be had of the distant Santa Cruz Valley. On a clear day seven mountain ranges may be seen from this spot. Screech Owl — These small grayish owls (usually with more conspicuous “ear” tufts) are