Our first stop, as always, was the Visitor Center where we picked up information on the park and hiking trails. There is a small gift shop there as well.
We hiked the Calloway Trail (1.4 mi. roundtrip) that leads to an overlook; the Nature Trail (1 mi.); and the short Children's Cave Trail (.4 mi.). The Hunter Trail (4 mi) is a difficult trail that goes to the top of the peak. The trail is steep and twisting with steel cables anchored into the rock in places where the surface is bare. Because we had Sadie with us, we did not think it would be safe for her. We will likely return without her to do this hike as it looks like a lot of fun!
We started at the Nature Hike from the Sage Ramada that is close to the Visitor Center.
As you can see, this is the typical look of the Sonoran Desert with saguaro and cholla cacti as well as palo verde trees and creosote bushes.
Our dog, Sadie, was so excited to be off-leash and to explore the trail! She always runs ahead but then jogs back to check on us (the slow pokes).
The Calloway Trail ascends the slopes with this small peak to the south and Picacho Peak on the north side.
Check out the "skeleton" of this cholla plant. I loved the lattice-work design.
A couple of views to the north.
View to the south...I loved this rock formation covered with lichen. As I mentioned in a previous post, these lichen colonies can be 10,000-20,000 years old!
And, of course, Picacho Peak.
Views from the overlook (the end of the Calloway Trail).
Love these sage bushes. They are such an amazing color of green!
My hiking buddies with a palo verde tree behind them.
These saguaro cactus start growing underneath a "nurse" tree, because they need the protection of the tree to survive when they are young. But as the saguaro grow (for up to 200 years) they eventually "suck up" all of the moisture around them and the nurse tree usually dies. Here is a great example of a young saguaro with its healthy nurse tree.
Fishhook barrel cactus...love the red color in the sunlight.
Teddy bear cholla...watch out for these spiky fellows!
Sadie was very curious about this cactus skeleton.
I was glad there wasn't a black widow or scorpion or some other scary thing in there!!
We strolled around the Memorial Loop (near Sage Ramada) where there is interesting information about the military history of this area.
Marker built by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1928 commemorating the 3 California Cavalry Volunteers killed at this location during a Civil War skirmish in 1862.
Additional commemorative plaques relative to the Battle of Picacho.
Commemorative marker dedicated to the U.S.Army Mormon Battalion who were encamped here in December of 1846 during the Mexican/American War.
Finally, we drove to the Barrett Loop and hiked the short Children's Cave Trail.
Admission to this park is $7/vehicle. There are multiple camping areas and several group areas are available as well. Shaded picnic areas (ramadas) can be found in various locations throughout the park as well. We enjoyed the trails and the history we found here. And, we always love parks that permit dogs!
Website: www.AZStateParks.com/Parks/PIPE
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