Arizona State Park Ranger Michael Bain
Linda Harvey
Oracle State Park was the featured park at our April meeting. Discussion was led by Arizona State Park Ranger Michael Bain. Ranger Michael has a naturalist background with a strong love of the wild outdoors. He knows Oracle State Park like he grew up here.
While many club members have been to the park, many are still planning their first trip there. Either way, Ranger Michael provided information for a great visit.
Located on 4,000 acres in the Sonoran Desert, Oracle State Park has a diverse ecosystem made more remarkable as the terrain transitions between 3,700 feet and 4,600 feet above sea level creating diverse plant and animal communities. At the lower south-facing elevations there are various cacti including prickly pear and cholla. Moving to higher elevations that are north-facing slopes, the vegetation transitions to oak woodland communities.
The park’s topography offers expansive views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Santa Catalina Mountains to the south, the Galiuro Mountains to the east, and on clear days the Tortolita and Picacho mountain peaks.
Oracle State Park is especially popular with bird enthusiasts as over 100 species have been documented in the area. Year-round residents include Gambel’s quail, cactus wrens, and various woodpeckers. The migration season of spring and fall welcomes numerous additional species.
The park’s reptile population includes western diamondback rattlesnakes, and gopher snakes. Visitors are told to maintain appropriate caution in the warmer months.
Other wildlife common to the park include mule deer, javelina, coyotes, and an occasional mountain lion. The best wildlife viewing is the early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active. The Granite Overlook Trail and Wildlife Corridor Trail are particularly productive observation locations.
The centerpiece of Oracle State Park is the four-level Kannally Ranch House, built between 1929-1932. Tours are available to view the hand-painted ceiling beams, unique built-in furniture, and period artwork. The patio offers one of the most scenic viewpoints of the entire park.
Fifteen miles of scenic trails are the best way to see the park. Walking, biking, and horseback riding are permitted. The trails are well-maintained and accommodate all skill levels. There is also an entrance along the trail to the 800-mile Arizona Trail that stretches through our state from Mexico to Utah.
Oracle State Park is known for its Dark Sky Designation and was one of the first Arizona state parks to receive this recognition. This prestigious designation recognizes the park for the exceptional quality of the night skies about the park which is largely unaffected by light pollution from urban centers. There are several evening astronomical programs with telescopes. The park sometimes offers special night-access permits for serious amateur astronomers.
The club thanks Ranger Michael Bain for sharing his time and knowledge with our members.
Upcoming club events are: June 9—Camp Verde State Park; July 14—Manhatton Project Historical Park; Aug. 11—Mesa Verde National Park; Sept. 8—Community Sharing; Oct. 13—Grand Canyon. If you have questions, please send an email to linda_harvey@hotmail.com.