Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona

November, 2021 

After we left Joshua Tree National Park in California, we headed to the southwest part of Arizona.  I had never been to this part of Arizona, so I was really surprised at how lush and diverse the vegetation was in this area.  I could not stop taking photos of the greenery.

Let me just say, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has the best campground I have seen in all the federal lands that I have been on.  Of course they did not have electric hook-up, but wow the water and dump station and campsites themselves are lovely.  They even have showers, albeit 1-2 per restroom, but they were a bonus.  This National Monument is so close to the border that active Immigration police everywhere you look.  There are two long roads that go around the monument.  They both skirt the edge of Mexico, so don't be intimidated by the signs that we read everywhere "Illegal smuggling in this area...beware."  The park staff seemed to be aware of everything that was going on and were not alarmed.  We took our lead from them.  

The first day, we tentatively drove out on the Puerto Blanco Mountains Drive and hiked on the Senita Basin Trail.  We thought it was a beautiful trail until we realized that we were going to be walking in sandy wash for a mile in and mile out.  For those of you who have not experienced this-think about walking in a sandbox for 2 miles back and forth.    I was a little tentative too as we kept seeing water bottles and abandoned clothing...when we got back to the beginning of the trail, an Immigration officer  came driving up immediately.  "Did you see anyone?" he asked.  I told Ken I am not sure I would have told the truth if I had seen a refugee coming across the border.  It they got this far--go with God.  After that trail, we wandered back to the Visitor Center and I stocked up on Christmas gifts.  

This landscape definitely made my fingers itch to draw and paint.  What I am realizing is that you can't hike extensively, travel, and draw.  This will have to wait until I am settled in one place for a while.  

The second day, we drove the Ajo Mountain Drive, which led to two really cool hikes.  Arch Trail was short (3/4 of a mile), but led to a view of a double arch that appeared and disappeared as you went up the trail.  We got to the tough part going straight up on rock and decided "nope" and came down.  

The second hike though was the jewel in the crown of the visit.  The Estes Canyon hike was one for the books.  It was a gradual climb for about 2 miles, and then went straight up a rocky side to the Bull Pasture Trail.  Though I had read it had great views at the top, we were satisfied with staying in Estes Canyon. The backside of the Estes Canyon trail is pretty much straight down, but we came upon the perfect spot for a bench with a killer view of the canyon.  We sat there for a while just glad to be alive.

For those of you who are wondering, the temperatures in this Organ Pipe National Monument were perfect in November.  Just right for hiking in the daytime and chilly at night for sleeping.  I would not attempt to visit this place any later than February.    

I used my Boss Griddle for a lot of this trip.  It was warm enough to cook and eat outside, so I made everything from eggs to grilled chicken.  I am still trying to figure out why the connection freezes even though there is still propane gas in the canister.  There must be a technical glitch, but I am not sure what is happening.  We did not spend much time in the two towns next to the park (Lukeville to the south and Why and Ajo to the North).  The grocery stores and content in Ajo were much to be desired, but there was an antique barn that looked very inviting at the southern end of the town.  If we go back (and we will, I want to stop there.  All in all it was a very pleasant trip to Organ Pipe National Monument.