The Hugh Norris Trail is the most popular choice for reaching Wasson Peak (4,687'), the highest point in the Tucson Mountain District of Saguaro National Park. The Sendero Esperanza and Gould Mine Trails offer lightly used alternative starting points for the summit.

A circular skeleton of woody ribs keeps the saguaro upright, and can support several tons

The Tucson Mountain District ranges from 2,180' - 4,687' across desert scrub and desert grassland

Native Americans used the barrel cactus as a cooking pot by inserting hot stones with food into the hollowed body

The Hugh Norris Trail follows the west ridge of Wasson Peak to the summit

Native Americans used the long, woody ribs of saguaro for basic construction, and to reach the fruits of other saguaro

Bajadas are broad, gentle slopes of debris or alluvium spread along the base of mountains

Tree Cholla have fewer spines than other cholla species, and range 2,000' - 7,000'

Woodpeckers, elf owls, screech owls, martins, finches and sparrows all nest in saguaro limbs

Teddy Bear Cholla stem segments are not truly cylindrical, but rather a series of connected, raised tubercles from which spine-bearing areoles emanate

The Hugh Norris Trail climbs over 2,100' to the summit of Wasson Peak (4,687')

Semi-desert grasses use a more efficient form of photosynthesis that conserves water

Looking north from the Hugh Norris Trail across the bajada and Sendero Esperanza Trail

Saguaros near the summit are generally found on sunnier, south-facing slopes

The Sendero Esperanza Trail passes through dense saguaro stands on the south flank of Wasson Peak

Prickly Pear and Chollas are both members of the Opuntia genus, but prickly pear branches form pads rather than cylindrical joints