This is the view from the new overlook at sunset (during Summer Saturday Nights when they're open until 10pm). Since it had rained earlier, the railings were wet creating a nice reflection.
This is the view from the new overlook at sunset (during Summer Saturday Nights when they\'re open until 10pm). Since it had rained earlier, the railings were wet creating a nice reflection.
@DavidBrown The view faces south. Directly underneath (and to the left) of this overlook is the new Packrat Playhouse kids playground (though at the time this photo was taken it was still an empty shell). Directly in front of this overlook is the Arizona Uplands trail which features massive exhibits for coyote and javelina as well as the seasonal Raptor Free Flight demo area. Beyond that is a view of the entire valley, the front portion of which is protected as Tucson Mountain Park, a county protected area that adjoins the federally protected Saguaro National Park (west district) further west of this photo. Beyond the county park is Avra Valley which is a mix of rural homes and farmland and beyond that (seen here on the horizon) is a large mountain range that is home to Kitt Peak National Observatory (whose white dome can be seen from the grounds of the Desert Museum during the day).
I should add that where the railing goes off frame to the right is a ramp that leads down to the Arizona Uplands trail, with Packrat Playhouse just left of where the ramp ends and top of coyote exhibit just right of where the ramp ends. Before this overlook and ramp were added visitors had to walk past this area and on to Small Cat Canyon to access the trail. Since this overlook is just past the wolves in Mountain exhibit area, it makes a much quicker route to the Uplands from the Mountain area.
