Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Tallest and largest living Saguaros at Saguaro National Park

Tallest and largest living Saguaros at Saguaro National Park

Old Feb 18th, 2015, 05:51 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tallest and largest living Saguaros at Saguaro National Park

Hello, We will be visiting the park this Spring. Do you know where we can find the tallest and largest (most arms) saguaros inside the park? How close to the roads are they?
Thank you.
genxer711 is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2015, 04:56 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17,949
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
The park has an east and west section, far apart on opposite sides of Tucson. There are roads and hiking paths in both in both of them. Check out www.nps.gov/sagu
I can't answer your specific question but saguaros don't sprout arms until they are at least 75 yrs old, magnificent plants, treasures. If you have kids or grandkids, buy the little children's book "The Cactus Hotel."
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2015, 08:37 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In both branches of SNP there will be plenty of saguaros close to the road. Going to the west unit, which is just past the Arizona-Sonora desert museum, you will drive through a forest of these giants all along Kinney Road and the road to Gates Pass.
MikePinTucson is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2015, 07:41 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
They probably won't disclose the location of the biggest cactus. too many idiots out here, but you will be blown away at either location how big they are from the comfort of your car. But I recommend getting out.
Fireman is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2015, 07:43 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Forgot to add, spring is almost over, hurry up!
Fireman is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2015, 08:11 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,070
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
They do not disclose the location of those cacti because as Fireman says the nuts will try to harm them.
Same with the redwoods, bristle cone pines and sequoias.
logandog is offline  
Old Feb 23rd, 2015, 08:27 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If your goal to see the biggest monster cactus, then:
http://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventu...osgigantes.php

Plus you WILL really enjoy San Felipe especially if you have an ATV!

I've been to Saguaro National Park. While impressive, they are young boys still growing

Vaga
RVvagabond is offline  
Old Feb 24th, 2015, 10:56 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With all due respect, the giant cacti found in that area are not saguaro cacti, they are cardon cacti. Those cacti develop "arms" at a much earlier age that saguaros, and they have more, and longer, arms and "look" older than saguaros, even if they are not.

In any case, San Felipe is a long haul from Tucson, so probably not in the cards for the OP, at least not this spring. I think the goal was to try to see the largest SAGUARO cacti in or around SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK.
MikePinTucson is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2015, 05:08 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mike you are, of course, technically correct, but the cardon cactus make spectacular & memorable photos.

Also shrimp at San Felipe are excellent.

Worth the trip

Vaga
RVvagabond is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2015, 05:17 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Perhaps you could hold your posts for someone who actually is planning on visiting Baja California? All you are doing is cluttering up a discussion about seeing SAGUARO cacti (NOT Cardon's) in ARIZONA ( and NOT in Baja).

And I WOULD say, I am not just "technically" correct, I am correct. Kind of like comparing pinon pines with redwoods, both trees, but nowhere near the same.
MikePinTucson is offline  
Old Feb 26th, 2015, 07:17 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17,949
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
MikePinTucson is correct on all counts!
HappyTrvlr is offline  
Old Mar 3rd, 2015, 04:01 AM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you for your responses. I was actually able to find out where the tallest saguaro is in each district. I am still looking for the largest one.
genxer711 is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2015, 07:05 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ok Mike
You are absolutely right in all respects.
I am wrong in all respects.
Should not offer alliterative suggestions consuming 63 words of space.

Sorry to all for the offensive post.

Vaga
RVvagabond is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2015, 08:06 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,070
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Thank you RV for your humble apology.
If you had carefully read the terms of use agreement you would have seen the section on "cluttering a post".
The rules exists for a reason. One cannot just go about cluttering posts, it's not correct.
logandog is offline  
Old Mar 5th, 2015, 03:19 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is really good to hear that you plan to visit saguaros. Its such an amazing place but I don't know the largest one.
josephrichie99 is offline  
Old Mar 5th, 2015, 06:26 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 61,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There are so many really large and wonderful ones near Gates Pass, it seems irrelevant which is the actual largest.
We are in Tucson now and it is delightful.
jubilada is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gaila
United States
2
Oct 2nd, 2018 09:02 AM
pantanal
United States
14
May 20th, 2014 05:54 PM
wave725
United States
11
May 28th, 2013 04:14 AM
mtnquest
United States
8
Mar 21st, 2013 03:16 PM
rzrbks101
United States
10
Jun 16th, 2012 03:22 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -