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.

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.

Springtime brings out colors of wildflowers

Poppies are sprouting in several areas, including along the Ringtail Trail, above, in Saguaro National Park West.

Springtime brings out colors of wildflowers

Globemallow often sprouts along roadways. This one was flowering along the Catalina Highway.

Thanks to some winter rain, spring bloom's here after all

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Catalina Park has it all

Hikers and horseback riders mix it up at the Sutherland Wash near the Romero Canyon Trail. In late winter and early spring, Catalina State Park offers flowing streams and tranquil pools.

Photos: Winter weather around the world

Photo taken near River and Craycroft on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013 . Photo by Doug Kreutz, Arizona Daily Star

These trails easy as pie to access

Horizon views take in the Catalina and the Rincon mountains, beautiful in any season, often snowcapped in winter.

These trails easy as pie to access

The loop of connected trails in Saguaro National Park East wends through a wide variety of desert growth and offers easy-to-manage hikes without forsaking scenery.

To hike off feast, relish bountiful trails here

Linda Vista Trail, on the western edge of the Catalina Mountains, is an easygoing route that's good for a family hike and for inexperienced hikers. The trail lives up to its name - which means "beautiful view" or "lovely vista" in Spanish.

Rains bring on bumper crop, but wise just to admire 'em

The monsoon season was wet in the Catalinas this year, ideal conditions for Xeromphalina campanella.

Some of state's beautiful places are saddled with yucky names

Those with a great fear of the state's common poisonous viper might want to avoid Rattlesnake Trail, near Sabino Canyon.

Some of state's beautiful places are saddled with yucky names

Those with a great fear of the state's common poisonous viper might want to avoid Rattlesnake Trail, near Sabino Canyon.

A spring revival

Yellow-orange caltrops are also called summer poppies. These were in the Tucson Mountains.

Mint Spring hike has a flavor that's all its own

Above: On Mint Spring Trail in the Catalina Mountains.

Mint Spring hike has a flavor that's all its own

Along the Mint Spring Trail in the Catalina Mountains.

Tucson Oddity: It's a road less traveled ... and for good reason, too

You might think this sign is pointing to a shortcut to the top of Mount Lemmon. There's no crime in

Way up high, green(ery) is breaking out

Flush of spring can be seen along the Aspen Draw Trail, one of many trails through forested terrain in the Catalina Mountains.

The Sycamore Trail is just right

Soothing shade awaits those who hike the Sycamore Trail to an old reservoir, which was mostly dry earlier this month.

Seasons collide

Sprouts poke out of the ferns and pine needles after a dusting of snow at Mount Lemmon Ski Valley.

Tucson Oddity: Flowery covering sets stage for performances

The band shell at St. Augustine Cathedral downtown consists of flowers, leaves, butterflies and birds - all of it done in metal. The stage opens onto a small plaza where people gather for concerts and other events.

Tortolita trails lead to scenic wonders

A stone ruin, apparently of an old ranch building, surrounded by yellow wildflowers is among the sites along the Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolita Mountains, which feature intelligently designed, interconnected trails.

Tortolita trails lead to scenic wonders

Take a short, two-hour hike or a six-hour day hike along the interconnected trails.

Where our past lies underfoot

Among the wildflowers on a new network of trails in Saguaro National Park East are lime kilns and other artifacts from Tucson's Wild West era.

Call 'em the Catalinas' Cactus Canyons

Hiking the Ventana Canyon Trail is a challenging trek to a natural opening in a huge fin of rock that forms a stone "window" about 25 feet wide and 15 feet high. Plan a late-fall or winter hike so you're walking out the last mile around sunset.

A grand, uplifting trek, and plain up

Giant saguaros frame the rising moon along the Blackett's Ridge Trail in Sabino Canyon. Gargantuan saguaros and sheer-drop views into the canyon are among the stupendous highlights of a rigorous hike along the trail.

They're still glorious - but not for long

Near Bear Wallow, winds have swept many of the colorful leaves to the ground. But they remain dazzling there as well.

Takin' it to the trails Answer the call of fall

It has a utilitarian name - the Accessible Trail in Madera Canyon south of Tucson - and plenty of splendorous scenery. It's accessible to hikers and people in wheelchairs.

Takin' it to the trails Answer the call of fall

Small "bat houses" mounted on tall poles along the Accessible Trail in Madera Canyon were erected to serve the area's population of flying mammals.

Mystery surrounds its origin

Hiker Robert Fleck takes a break at the shrine site, which is hidden off a popular trail in Madera Canyon. Forest officials say such creations on public land are not acceptable. Until recently, they were unaware of this rock-and-concrete piece.

Find cool hikes close to home

Chuck Spain and Margarete Zirnheld hike the 5.7-mile Butterfly Trail in the nearby Catalina Mountains. Elevations range from 6,700 feet to 8,300 feet.

Find cool hikes close to home

Even though some segments of the the Sunset Trail pass through woodlands burned in the 2003 Aspen Fire, the trail blooms with growth.

Human-powered traffic flows along river trails

Cyclists, as well as runners and walkers, flock to the Rillito River Park Trail and the network of trails along Tucson-area watercourses for their workouts. The trails are often busy early with beat-the-heat exercisers. The usually dry watercourses may have a trickle of water - runoff from t…

Peaceful alternative

Hiking the sanctuary’s nature trail is not difficult. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed.

Ariz. burns, but here it's wet & wonderful

Barbara Beamer prepares her watercolors at Agua Caliente park, northeast of Tucson.

An oasis in a parched land

A hiker makes his way along Bog Springs Trail. As lovely as this setting is, the water could do nasty things to you if you don't boil or treat it.

New climbers can learn ropes at Windy Point

Mike Herholz practices at Hitchcock Pinnacle at Windy Point in the Catalina Mountains. The spire caters to novice climbers and experts, with short routes that range from hard to moderate.

Kellogg trail: Short and sweet

The views are stunning along the Kellogg Mountain Trail, high in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. The half-mile route links with other trails, providing several options for hikers.

Trail far from the madding crowd

The first signs of green growth emerge along the Marshall Gulch Trail. It's the ideal time to sample the beginning of spring in the forest in the Catalina Mountains.

Milagrosa measures up

Backpackers make their way along the La Milagrosa Ridge Trail northeast of Tucson. Following the trail 4.5 miles to a junction with the Bellota Trail is a nine-mile round trip.

Hidden Canyon Trail's beauty revealed

Sophia Hudson, 10, Rachel Gascho, 11, Ava Hudson, 6, and their grandmother, Lois Gascho, pause and soak in the scenic view from an overlook along the Hidden Canyon Trail, a 2-mile loop in Tucson Mountain Park west of downtown Tucson.

Just off Ritz's course is a gorgeous trail

Not far from cheering golf crowds, Mark Flint, front, and Neil Stitzer make their way down the Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolita Mountains northwest of Tucson.

Molino Basin echoes the sounds of silence

Students from Pittsburgh - Emily Byers, left, Amanda Del Sordo and Garrett Herdman - hike along the Molino Basin Trail.

Picture sunsets, petroglyphs on this tour

Gates Pass in the Tucson Mountains offers hikers superb sunset views. It's a great spot to conclude a loop tour of the mountains.

Tanque Verde Ridge Trail is the path to many goals

The Tanque Verde Ridge Trail, in Saguaro National Park East, is rich with great views and routes to match many fitness levels.

Hiking doesn't have to be hard

Dan and Lorena Moore check out the lime kilns, dating to 1880, along the Cactus Forest Trail at Saguaro National Park East. Majestic saguaros and other desert vegetation line the gentle 2.5-mile trail segment.

Bug crawls with wealth

The lower portion of the Bug Spring Trail in the Catalina Mountains is blessed with some magnificent scenery. Hikers/bikers on this 4.6-mile trail are rewarded with a rich variety of terrain.

Trail worth hiking, biking

Along a portion of the Arizona Trail, hikers and bicyclists can admire superlative views of the Rincon Mountains. Volunteers spent tens of thousands of hours completing trail segments.