Casa Grande Ruins

June 21, 2007

I drove to Coolidge, AZ, to explore the Casa Grande ruins.
Along the way I visited the section of the Juan Bautista de Anzo National Historic Trail that goes through Pinal County, AZ, near the Casa Grande ruins.
I also saw the Picacho Peak Arizona State Park and got some photos of the Arizona desert.
Then finally I arrived at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument.

Juan Bautista de Anzo National Historic Trail

In 1776, Spanish Captain Juan Bautista de Anzo led nearly 300 people over 1200 miles to settle Alta California, establishing the first overland route connecting New Spain with San Francisco. The Juan Bautista de Anzo National Historic Trail runs from Nogales, AZ, to San Francisco, CA.
The Anza National Historic Trail: Pinal County Guide website explains that they followed the Santa Cruz River Valley and then turned north near Picacho Peak to find water. They actaully explored the Casa Grande ruins while they were in the area.

Picacho Peak Arizona State Park

The Arizona Desert

Here are some views of the desert around the area of Picacho Peak.

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Finally I arrived at Casa Grande.

Prairie Dog

I took some photos of this prairie dog I saw nearby.