Phoenix, Arizona Desert Tour - Phoenix
The Teddy Bear Cholla cactus can drop a man at ten paces…
Well…not really but it seemed that way when our Stellar Adventures guide explained the vicious nature of this barbed desert dweller during a Hummer Tour near Phoenix, Arizona. Razor sharp with hooked spines, the Cholla is almost impossible to remove. It was just one of the curious things we heard and saw bouncing over the rugged terrain. If the heat didn’t get us in the Sonoran Desert then deadly Snakes, Scorpions, Lizards, Toads, Spiders and Mountain Lions were waiting. Fortunately, our guide was armed.
I took the Four Peaks Trail Hummer Tour on a modified vehicle which allowed better viewing but it was still a Hummer. We drove out of Phoenix for about forty-five minutes to the Tonto National Forest before going off road in the Sonoran Desert climbing over rocks and hills while stopping often for photos and demonstrations. What a fun trip! Our guide was funny and knowledgeable. He was serious when he needed to be and really adapted to our group interests. The best part is the small size of the tour since the vehicle carries less than a dozen people. You do get rattled around a bit so be prepared and drink plenty of water along the way. You can thank me later.
Locals use this area for camping, hunting and riding ATV’s and motorcycles, so paths go everywhere. When the heat of summer arrives they switch to boating. Yes, I said boating. In fact, Arizona has more boats per capita than any other state. It’s a great way to beat the heat and during out tour we learned about canyon lakes and rivers where the fun takes place.
One of the highlights of the trip is to learn more about the Saguaro Cactus, which only grows here. Tall and small, they dot the desert with quiet dignity looking like people with arms outstretched. Sadly, we saw evidence of target practice on some. Once damaged, they can’t really recover. It was surprising to see up close the diversity of plant and animal life is such a harsh environment. The Four Peaks Hummer Tour is a great way to experience the desert in a safe and enjoyable way. When you travel to Phoenix, Arizona, take half a day and venture out into the landscape. You’ll be glad you did.
Just watch out for the Teddy Bear. More Photos Here.
Hello John,
thanks for sharing your personal experience. The Sonoran desert, by Phoenix, is such an amazing destination. There are a lot of fun ways to discover it, and the Hummer tour is definitely one of them! We, at Fox Rent A Car Blog, wrote a similar post, presenting the various ways of discovering the desert. Phoenix is a great destination as well. We present various tips n the city on our blog. We like to do that for different cities, hoping to inspire travelers!
Thanks again for your post.