HikeArizona.COM

With the New Year's announcements of reopening sections of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument http://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm that have been closed since 2003, does anyone know if the 51 mile Puerto Blanco Drive loop is completely open? I've posed the same question to ORPI Ranger Station and I'm waiting on the answer...

I've biked the 21 mile Ajo Mountain Drive http://hikearizona.com/photoset=29562 and look forward to the opportunity to do the complete Puerto Blanco Loop. Anyone else interested?

Received a reply from the ORPI Ranger Station;


The loop is open. It is actually only 41 miles if you don't take the spur road to Senita Basin. To start the drive begin at the visitor center to check road conditions. Take North Puerto Blanco (1 way road due to it being very narrow) to Pozo Nuevo and last South Puerto Blanco. There is a very sandy section on Pzo where you travel throguh the wash. It seems to be getting slightly better or we are just giving people enough driving instructions to make it through. High clearance is recommended.

Enjoy your visit.


Sue Walter
Chief of Interpretation
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
520-387-6849 X7301