However after a period of heavy rain the ocotillo becomes covered by beautiful bright green leaves as shown left. Shown right is a cluster of prickly pear cacti. The prickly pear prefers dry hillsides but is extremely versatile. Metropolitan Phoenix is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. While the area has started to suffer many of the woes attributed to extreme growth, the city of Phoenix and Maricopa county have set aside substantial tracts as parks, preserves, and recreation areas.
Phoenix has more square miles of parkland than any other city in the country.
Special thanks go to Natalie Trager, park naturalist, for her patience in answering my questions for this article. The authoritative guide to outdoor adventure in the wild and beautiful Grand Canyon State. Arizona's Sonoran Desert runs roughly from the foot of the Mogollon Rim to the Mexican border. The desert exists generally at elevations lower than 4,000 feet. The many low desert mountain ranges create a wide variety of terrains and experiences.