Absolutely wild....all natural desert wilderness including
cactus, scorpions, snakes, and all kinds of critters. If
you hiking, where boots and watch where you step... Be
noisy...

Enjoy,
Gemfire

Eh, it won't be that way for long if the cities out there have their way with new road construction... That said, do be careful of where you step out in the wilderness. And you probably need to be vigilant if you are moving into newly constructed housing. If the area is newly disturbed, you may have to contend with some "unwanted" critters. That's true of any place out here that has new construction, though.

Apache Junction and nearly all of Pinal County is exploding with growth. Won't be long till there's a non-stop urban corridor from Phoenix to Tucson. The Superstitions offer wonderful hiking and views. Stay on trails and you shouldn't have problems. No flowers in February; it's one of our coldest months.

One of your coldest months is heaven to me! It's minus 4 degrees here in upstate New York, and February is the dreariest month here. I can appreciate the warnings about all the growth...thought I'd stay overnight in Apache Junction and hike a bit before traveling on to less populated areas.

Arizona has so many different eco-systems...I just love it there, from north to south, except for summer heat, though...LOL. The plant life is extraordinary, and I love how they give the weather report by elevation.

You know though. I'm afraid there is not going to be a good wildflower show this year. Generally it is the rain cycle, about once every two weeks that helps produce some of the best wildflower shows. But we have not had one single drop of rain this winter. ZERO, Nada, nothing, the big "O". I'm so bummed!

Easy

But there's the Renaissance Festival, doesn't it start then?

"No flowers in February; it's one of our coldest months."

Well, there were plenty of flowers in southern AZ last year in February.

The winter's not nearly as promising, but there'll still be some stuff out most of the month in the low desert. I'll probably take a trip out by Ajo or the Baboquivaris sometime this coming February...

Patrick Alexander

When you're here, be sure to go to the Boyce Thompson Arboreteum. You can get there easily from AJ. The plants and trees are wonderful there. Also it is a nice drive and a beautiful view to go to Canyon Lake. You can keep going and end up making a big loop, going past Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake and back to AJ through Globe, Miami and Superior. A nice day drive, with time to get out and do some hiking and enjoying the area. There is an Indian Ruins (sorry the name escapes me) across from Roosevelt Lake that is a fairly demanding hike, but the views out across the lake and valley are outstanding.

Susie

Generally, in the middle of February, things start to warm up and feel more Spring like. However, the desert doesn't really start to bloom until April-May. Also, there should not be any snakes out in February. Its still too cool for them. The Superstitions East of Apache junction are a nice place to hike. My favorite trail is the one on the East side of Canyon Lake. I think the trailhead is right across the road from the Marina. Good luck!

If you want a place off the beaten path, try Apache Lake. It is a short drive from Mesa/Apache Junction. Great hiking in the area, beautiful lake, hotel, resturant, and small store. Check out the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Apache Lake

"Generally, in the middle of February, things start to warm up and feel more Spring like. However, the desert doesn't really start to bloom until April-May. Also, there should not be any snakes out in February. Its still too cool for them."

Depends on elevation. Up in the Superstitions, sure, things'll take off a bit later. At lower elevations in the Ajo area (around 1500 feet), the peak flowering last spring was late Feb./early Mar. In the lower areas around Las Cruces (about 4000 ft.) the peak was mid-late March with things mostly fried and gone by the end of April. For reference, I've got a picture from the {{gwi:426593}} and one from near {{gwi:426595}} Notice in the Las Cruces area that the mountains are still brown; they won't green up much until the lower elevation stuff is mostly dead.

Patrick Alexander

Thanks for all your replies.

I had the great fortune to be in the Tucson area and surrounding parks last Feb/March, after record winter rains, and the wildflowers, especially the Mexican gold poppies, were blanketing the landscape, especially on Picacho Peak. I was in heaven. I don't expect I will see a repeat of that show this year, but I consider myself so lucky to have experienced that. I'm sorry there hasn't been any rain this winter yet.

After that visit, I grew those beautiful goldpoppies in my New York garden where they bloomed the entire summer into fall. I will plant them forever with my southwest memories.

Right now the parry's penstemon I grew from seed is covered with a protective blanket of leaves and snow, in hopes it will survive my winter and grow next year. For those of you who haven't seen one of these wildflower plants native to Arizona, it's a treat, and a plant worth cultivating in your garden...I'm envious. (Now don't tell me it's an invasive. I just love that plant!)

Arizona Highways magazine could be a monthly fix for you. From the state Dept. of Tourism see if you can order a AZ state highway map, perhaps a laminated one for the wall. A Tonto National Forest map will show all of the areas from the Mogollon Rim to the Phx-Mesa city limits at a more readable scale. On a dry year, you may only find wildflowers in a wash or depression. They seem so more precious then, compared to the vast fields of a wet year. Sometimes less is more, as you know from the desert you love.

Susan, just be aware that your question depends on what part of AJ you are referring to. The area adjacent to Mesa, and running many miles to the east, is filled with tract homes, trailer parks, and cookie cutter developments that have scrubbed the desert clean of any life. Once you get to a certain point, the desert does indeed come to life, and you do see some development which looks like it was planned to fit the area. When looking for a place to stay, just be sure you know where abouts you are!

And I second Boyce Arboretum, Apache Lake, and of course the Superstitions, which really are splendid most any time of the year. Just be sure if you are going to hike, that you take plenty of water, a good hat and boots, and stay on the trail. We've had more than our share of winter visitors getting lost up there! Oh and the Ren Faire is tons of fun, and it usually opens in Febuary.

As for flowers - I suspect what others have said is true; I don't think we are in for a very big wildflower show this year. But if you go to the Botannical Gardens in Phoenix, chances are you'll see some (as well as a wonderful display of desert plants and life)

AND STILL NO RAIN!!! I'm starting to get ticked off! I may have to put on my birthday suit and go out and do a rain dance on my rooftop, one night at midnight if things don't change real soon ;)

easy

I just heard from a friend in Tucson who said there has been so much rain there, that it's already greening up.
Can Apache Junction be that different from Tucson, with no rain at all?

Unfortunately Susan, yes, it can be quite different. Heck, just here in the valley, the west-side can be drowning with torrential rainfall and not a drop will fall on the east side. Tucson is about 115 miles from Apache Junction and has a (very) slightly higher elevation. So, they can be nice and green and getting rain and we are dust-dry city. Tucson is usually slightly cooler in the summer and does receive more rain than the Phx Metro Area, which would include AJ.

Also- no one can truly predict the weather here, I swear! *grin* I always think they look out the window, see what the temp is on their thermometer, then go give the weather report. Of course, their weather depends on where in the valley they are located, so their prediction is usually only half right. (see above). That said, by Feb we may have finally got rain and the desert jumps to life in an incredibly short amount of time. Who can tell? :) No matter what, it would probably be much better here in Feb than it will be in Zone 5 NY, yes?

Susie

I guess I am the lucky one since I'll be staying in Tucson for two weeks in Feb/March. I'm staying overnight in Apache Junction, though, and will enjoy the Superstition Mountains for a day, and possibly check out some of the suggested places. Thank you all!

I'm very excited now, about seeing the poppies again around Tucson like last year. I hope you all get some rain soon up in Phoenix!

Susan, whoever told you there has been alot of rain in Tucson must be standing in their shower! We have had no measurable rain for 2 1/2months and we are 2 inches or more behind our normal totals. Our summer rains were very spotty and many of us got little. It is very dry here and any greening up is probably because of our temperatures that are running 10-15 degrees above normal. The plants are suffering all over. We need rain and cooler temperatures!

I agree...it's been bone dry in Tucson for quite awhile now. No rain for almost 3 months now.

Like another poster mentioned, Apache Junction is not usually a place that visitors see and say, "wow I'd like to live here". For those of us that live year year-round 3 things come to mind when we hear "apache juntion". First, thousands of tiny track home or trailers as far as the eye can see filled with low income retirees. Second, dozens of used car dealers up and down "the trail". Third, and perhaps the one we hear the most about is Meth labs. Las year the zip code that Apache Junction is located in had more meth labs busted than the entire PHX area combined!!! Now that being said if you head east of Apache Junction toward Gold Canyon that area is quite nice and has many upscale developments crawling right up onto the Superstitions with some beautiful golf courses and lovely desert views. Some of these areas are just as expensive as areas of Scottsdale but unfortunatly lack the services and activities that Phoenix and Scottsdale offer. Yes Apache Junction is technically in the "greater Phoenix area" but that doesn't mean you won't drive 45 minutes for a nice dinner, a stool thru an art gallery, nice shopping or a decent grocery store. While AJ is bordered by Mesa that doesn't mean you border a cultural mecca (not to offend any Mesa residents, but get real :).

>Can Apache Junction be that different from Tucson, with no rain at all?

Um Susan, that's like saying that Queens isn't any different from say, the Finger Lakes area.....a world of difference, believe me (and I've been to both places :) The desert has many faces, many elevations. As mentioned above, Tucson is higher than the Valley of the Sun, gets more rain, and generally is about 10 degrees cooler. Plus, Tucson is a real city, with a downtown, barrio, university and cultural events, and some of the best hiking in the SW. Tucson is very old (in fact, its nicknamed the Old Pueblo, and has among its jewels San Xavier del Bac, a 17th century mission recently restored), and for the most part has tried hard to keep its desert from being over run by development (tho a recent visit did make me cry when I drove on Contaro road to get to Ina - what are they thinking?) Without rain, Tucson is dry, but still green in a lush desert way.

AJ is a 'city' with no center, no history to speak of, originally a place where the Seniors went to escape from Phoenix. And any green has been bulldozed away. And when there's no rain, its a dusty and depressing place to be. While its fine as a base to explore the superstitions, its not a place you'd want to stay for very long. As amigo says, there are some places that you might stay in. But not many.

The Mesa area bordering AJ is'nt a mecca, but I have to say that Mesa is starting to come alive with its downtown area.

I recommend a trip to Bisbee if you want to see something new that's quite old (Turn-of-the-century) and we have not had a drop of rain in months out here in Tucson. Of course, with our weather, we could get an entire year's downfall next month. You never know.