Be prepared, watchful in exploring desert areas

Wonderlands of natural beauty and adventure await in the mountains and deserts around Tucson - but so do potential dangers.

Rocking K closer to development; smaller-scale project will start contruction within two years

Part of the area to be developed includes the Rocking K Ranch. This picture shows the ranch area in February 2008 in the Rincon Valley area on the far-east side of town, on East Old Spanish Trail

Rocking K closer to development; smaller-scale project will start contruction within two years

After nearly a quarter-century of planning and controversy, the huge Rocking K development next to Saguaro National Park East should be ready to start construction within two years, the project's chief says.

Saguaro National Park has plans to expand, and willing sellers may make it happen

The latest of several bills to expand Saguaro National Park has a new ally who supporters say should increase its chances of passage - the Tucson area's most prominent and politically potent developer.

Saguaro National Park fires volunteer over graffiti report

A Saguaro National Park East volunteer was fired from his job as a mounted trail patrol for contacting the news media about vandals painting graffiti on saguaros and boulders along one of the park's scenic trails earlier this week.

San Francisco newspaper says Tucson is cool

Chronicle compares Tucson's hipness to Portland, Ore.

Horses' hooves, erosion turn trails into trenches

In Saguaro National Park East, this portion of the Garwood Trail looks more like a ditch than a pathway. Park officials are tackling the most severely rutted trails, repairing and rerouting them.

Horses' hooves, erosion turn trails into trenches

Horses' hooves, storm runoff and natural erosion have cut trenches up to 2 feet deep in some trails at Saguaro National Park East.

Graffiti along trail shocks hikers at Saguaro Park East

A saguaro and boulder along the Desert Spring Trail in Saguaro National Park East show evidence of the vandalism, which occurred sometime Saturday night or early Sunday, hikers say.

Graffiti along trail shocks hikers at Saguaro Park East

Caption unavailable

Graffiti along trail shocks hikers at Saguaro Park East

Sunday morning hikers were despondent to see saguaros and boulders in Saguaro National Park East had been vandalized over the weekend.

It's tad early, but saguaros already are flowering locally

Saguaros in the Tucson area are producing flowers, which customarily would bloom more heavily in May and June.

It's tad early, but saguaros already are flowering locally

In Sabino Canyon, this saguaro was already beckoning flying critters to its lush flowers.

It's a tad early, but saguaros already are flowering locally

The first brilliant white blooms of saguaro cacti - the state flower of Arizona - are bursting out in Sabino Canyon and other sites around Tucson.

Guest Column: Robert Newtson: Celebrate National Park Week and contribute to support Saguaro

America celebrates its heritage this week as we honor our national parks.

Well-timed winter rain means good cacti bloom

The prickly pear cactus is known for its bright yellow flowers, and they're just starting to bloom in the deserts around Tucson. Saguaro National Park and the lower Catalina Mountains are good places to see them.