Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

January 7th-11^th, 2015


Our next destination was Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on the Mexican border. We drove away from Bisbee, through Tombstone which didn't look terribly interesting to us, and then back up to I-10 toward Tucson. From Tucson we drove west through the Tohono O'odham Reservation until we reached Why. Yes, Why, Arizona. The West is quirky. From Why we drove due south almost to the Mexican border to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Now, we have avoided this park in the past. In 2002 a young ranger was murdered by the drug cartel that had also murdered Mexicans across the border. The scenic routes in the park were closed, and we were not able to find anyone who had gone there to visit. But, recently I had come across a blog that said they spent two weeks in the beautiful campground, and Vick, from our previous post, spent Christmas there, so we felt it was time to check it out.

Memorial to the slain ranger

An authentic Organ Pipe Cactus

Fruiting barrel cactus

Mistletoe

What a gem this park turned out to be. The new superintendent has a law enforcement background. The border patrol has ramped up its presence in this area, and the roads have been reopened. We received quite the greeting in the visitor center from the volunteers, and the campground proved to be one of the nicest we have stayed in. Beautiful spread apart sites, with concrete pads and a nice, though in the morning cold, solar shower house. There were a few other campers in the 200+ site campground. We had a beautiful view south to the rugged mountains in Mexico, and were surrounded by pipe organ and saguaro cacti.

Our campsite

Chain Fruit Cholla, full of fruit

Saguaro buds

Cuddly Teddy Bear Cholla

Ocotillo shrubs waiting for spring

We decided to stay five nights, and that gave me a chance to catch up on chores in the camper after our mad dash across the US, and Greg was excited to bike. Our first day we drove the 21 mile scenic loop to the Ajo Mountains. The road is restricted to 25' rigs, so we were just under the limit and able to drive it. The day was overcast and we had some light rain, but the road provided highlights of the monument and some beautiful vistas down to Mexico.

Checking out the woody skeleton of a dead saguaro

Woody "bark" of a dead Saguaro

Victoria's Secret Saguaro!

Cactus Wren nest exactly where it is supposed to be, nestled in the prickles

Teddy Bear Cholla is soft and fuzzy - Before you touch it! It starts new plants by latching pieces onto passing animals. See three new ones starting on the ground in front of it.

The next two days Greg biked the loop and the weather cleared so he didn't have to deal with rain. I was happy to just enjoy camp. Greg also went to two evening ranger talks. One on vultures, where the volunteers dressed up like the birds, a little odd, and another on coyotes, which he enjoyed more. The campground felt safe to walk around at night, but we were careful to lock up as we always do anyway. The only signs that we were near the border were the occasional border patrol vehicle passing on the main road, the crossing lights in the distance, some helicopter and plane traffic, and Greg after talking to rangers on the scenic road discovered that they always wear bulletproof vests. We also saw a large blue water tank on the scenic road, left by a local group to provide emergency water to any illegals coming through that part of the park. We never felt in danger, and anyone concerned needs to realize that the illegals don't want to be spotted by us any more than we want to encounter them.

The Ajo Loop made a nice bike ride

The big Arch spans 720 feet in volcanic ryolite bedrock

An affectionate Organ Pipe offering a hug.

Organ Pipe Cactus Crest caused by mutated growth buds

"Which way did he go?"

Looking back towards the campground 10 miles away.

Picnic area shaded by traditional ramada of ocotillo stems

Emergency water barrel

 Organ Pipe is a beautiful park that we could easily return to again. It has been declared, along with the Mexican park across the border, an international Biosphere park, and it is a unique and unspoiled example of the green Sonoran desert. The Organ Pipe cacti exist in the United States only in this park.

Sunset near the campground. View to Mexico

We left on Monday, January 12^th, as the fog was hanging low over the ridges and creating a moist and fragrant scenic memory of a truly unique park. It was time to move on to the craziness that is Quartzsite in January, and to renew friendships at the View/Navion rally!