Tinaja Trek: Revealing Hidden Beauty in the Desert

A decade ago, I moved to Tucson after living in the lush “Nature Coast” of Central Florida. I was apprehensive about moving into the dustbowl of a desert that I had imagined. One of the first hiking areas I explored after arriving was Lower Tanque Verde Falls—and I will never forget my first visit. As the sun was setting that early August day, I remember standing in total awe as I watched the shallow pools of water fill up with cotton candy cloud reflections. I realized then that the Arizona desert is so much more than a dustbowl… that surprising beauty and life abound here.

I later learned that those stunning reflecting pools are known as tinajas, or “jars” in Spanish. The bedrock depressions are filled by precipitation or fed by seeps and springs throughout the year. Seeps, springs, and tinajas are monitored for their water quantity and quality and used to evaluate the overall status of water in the area. If you haven’t had a chance to see the Tanque Verde tinajas, I highly recommend a hike! You can also check out The Tinajas Project at Saguaro National Park to learn more and get directly involved with conserving desert streams via invasive plant pulls. 

The Tinajas Project