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Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM - 3 members in 7 triplogs have rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
7 triplogs
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Mar 31 2023
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Organ Pipe NM hikes, AZ 
Organ Pipe NM hikes, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 31 2023
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking15.21 Miles 3,103 AEG
Hiking15.21 Miles   7 Hrs   10 Mns   2.19 mph
3,103 ft AEG      14 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Arch Canyon - Organ Pipe NM
Bull Pasture - Estes Canyon Loop
Victoria Mine Trail
Lost Cabin Trail
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Partners partners
Tortoise_Hiker
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Denny wanted to get down to the Organ Pipe NM to check out the flower show down there. I'd never been there before, so I was a go. To knock out 3ish new trails for me. The first 2 are on the 21 mile loop drive. The drive itself had some great views and some impressive Organ Pipe cactus.

Arch Canyon
3.08 Miles
1328 AEG

You can see both of the arches from the TH. This was my favorite hike of the day. A steady grade until you hit the canyon and make the turn to the south. It then climbs steeply to the top. Once up top you make an initial drop to a saddle area where you can see the TH, but will need to make an additional drop to be able to get to the big arch. Stick to the east side of this canyon and follow the cairns.

Denny stayed back to try and get photos of me in the arch. He called out from down below close to the TH. I could hear him, but never was able to see him.
[ youtube video ]

Flowers were poppin on the hike and everything was green, green, green.
Brittle bush was the main player, but there were numerous others in abundance.

Bull Pasture - Estes Canyon Loop
4.51 miles
1198 AEG

2nd favorite hike of the day. We did this CCW and went to "The Overlook" on the Bull Pasture Trail and then went to the peak above The Overlook.
[ youtube video ]

After a short break, we headed down and hit the Estes Canyon trail. This was a steeper drop down, but rollercoastered nicely back to the TH.
Same variety of flowers poppin' here. We had lunch back at the TH where I noticed of the 6 cars I could see at the TH, all were from different states.

Victoria Mine - Lost Cabin Trail
7.28 miles
675 AEG

This one will be a one and done for me. Off to Victoria Mine first everything is covered over here, to protect the bat habitat. A longish walk to get over to the Lost Cabin and mine area.
The afternoon sun was a bit warm making this seem to be longer than it was. Following the lead from a @Joebartels / @Darthstiller track, we went off trail short-cutting the route back. Quite a bit of this was on a worn use trail. The predominate flower on the hike were the carpets of Rock Daisies.

Nature Trail
.32 miles
5 AEG!

Last up, was one Denny talked about all day. This one was supposed to be a loop, but since we were there after the Visitors Center was closed, it turned into a much longer Out and Back

All in all, a great day with plenty of flora in a new area for me.

Thanks for the idea, hike and driving Turtle!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Brittlebush  Chain Fruit Cholla  Desert Rosemallow  Emorys Rock Daisy  Hopbush  Organ Pipe Cactus
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Desert Tortoise
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Mar 31 2023
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Organ Pipe NM hikes, AZ 
Organ Pipe NM hikes, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 31 2023
Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652
Hiking13.71 Miles 2,041 AEG
Hiking13.71 Miles   7 Hrs   10 Mns   2.06 mph
2,041 ft AEG      30 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Arch Canyon - Organ Pipe NM
Bull Pasture - Estes Canyon Loop
Victoria Mine Trail
Lost Cabin Trail
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Partners partners
The_Eagle
I was hoping there would be a good flower showing at Organ Pipe this year. There was a nice variety but Brittlebush was they main attraction along with the cacti! Bruce hadn’t been here before so he joined me for a nice sample size of the park.

Arch Canyon
I only did the easy part of this hike. It was cool to see Bruce from down below and shows you how big the Arch is!

Bull Pasture lookout loop
Some nice sections of Organ Pipe Cactus and Brittlebush on this hike with a pretty good climb.
Views for miles up there. We ran into an older group of 3 we had seen on our first hike. Bruce made their day telling them jokes and taking their pictures. He can be a nice guy! 😂

Victoria Mine/Lost Cabin
This was a flatter hike but I was wore out by the second half. Both stops had partial buildings and I’m sure they had some stories to tell. Some good vegetation in parts of this hike. The pics of the red Ocotillo don’t do them justice. I also spotted a Bursera tree and the start of a crested Saguaro!
Bruce spotted one garter snake on way back.

Nature trail
You can loop through visitor center but we were an hour late so did the out and back. They have a pond with the pupfish.

Thanks for the adventure Bruce!
Like HAZ, you rock!
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Dec 27 2019
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 25
 Photos 1,890
 Triplogs 604

41 male
 Joined Sep 13 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Arch Canyon - Organ Pipe NMSouthwest, AZ
Arch Canyon - Organ Pipe NM
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 27 2019
jochal • Triplogs 604
Hiking1.20 Miles 200 AEG
Hiking1.20 Miles
200 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Partners none no partners
We only went to the end of the maintained trail, since we were carrying a 2 month old and 3 year, and the rock was wet. Will have to come back.
_____________________
 
Apr 03 2014
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Ajo Mountain Drive - 21 mile bike loop - ORPISouthwest, AZ
Ajo Mountain Drive - 21 mile bike loop - ORPI
Southwest, AZ
Mtn Biking avatar Apr 03 2014
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Mtn Biking24.00 Miles 1,250 AEG
Mtn Biking24.00 Miles   4 Hrs      6.00 mph
1,250 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Arch Canyon - Organ Pipe NM
Bull Pasture - Estes Canyon Loop
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Palo Verde Trail - Organ Pipe Cactus NM
Partners none no partners
Ajo Mountain Drive - 21 mile bike loop – ORPI

I’ve had this on my mountain bike trek list for some time :next: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm and https://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/ ... biking.htm

I headed down to ORPI with Todd Kallmyer Wednesday evening, stopping in Gila Bend at the local Subway to grab some “eats”. Arrived at Twin Peaks Campground ( [ photo ] ) about 10:30-ish and had to make a campfire in the raised BBQ as temperatures dipped below 50degF ( [ photo ] ). After a bit of late night stargazing, called it a night to get ready for tomorrow’s ride.

Up at sunrise and we eased into the day. Todd was impressive downing a Guinness and Doritos for breakfast while I was into granola bars and sharks. Start our ride at 8am and returned before noon to our Twin Peaks campsite #189.

Wow – no vehicle passed us all day! We did see 5 total vehicles all day along the loop drive at various trail heads as well as 2 other bicyclists.

We broke out the BBQ to grill some burgs plus a couple of choice beverages to celebrate knocking off the Ajo Mountain Drive bike loop. Relaxed a bit before packing up the F-150 for the return drive to Phoenix.

Now if they ever re-open the 53 mile Puerto Blanco Drive, I’m “in” for that bike loop :next: https://www.americansouthwest.net/arizo ... drive.html

In the meantime, maybe Chaco Canyon and Outliers should be the next target bike trek :next: https://www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/biking.htm and https://www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/ ... etrail.htm and https://www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/ ... etrail.htm and https://www.nps.gov/chcu/planyourvisit/ ... etrail.htm

Now about those “blue flags”;
Blue flag emergency water stations :next: https://rense.com/general29/border.htm
Cabeza Prieta case :next: https://www.animallaw.info/cases/causfd ... p2d767.htm
Robin Hoover :next: magarchive.tcu.edu/articles/2003-03-F01.asp?issueid=200303

:D :D :D
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cag Shot  HAZ Rides
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Brittlebush and Desert Marigolds done for the season. Saw my first saguaro bloom of the year...
_____________________
 
Mar 14 2014
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Alamo Canyon - Organ Pipe NMSouthwest, AZ
Alamo Canyon - Organ Pipe NM
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 14 2014
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking2.60 Miles 135 AEG
Hiking2.60 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   1.04 mph
135 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Partners none no partners
Alamo Canyon – Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – March 14th, 2014

After spending the morning on a Ranger Guided Tour of Quitobaquito (check out :next: [ photoset ] ), I thought I’d make the quick drive over to secluded Alamo Canyon to enjoy a quiet lunch (check out HAZ hike description :next: [ Alamo Canyon - Organ Pipe NM ] ). To my surprise, I encountered multiple vehicles on the access road and when I arrived at the trail head, I discovered that all 4 of the primitive camping sites (check out :next: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/alamo-canyon.htm ) were occupied. I’ve visited Alamo Canyon multiple times and it’s been rare for me to see other people, let alone have a full primitive campground!

After I snapped a couple of quick images, one of the primitive campsites became empty. I wheeled my F-150 into the site to use the picnic table to make some lunch and jot a few notes on my iPad from the Quitobaquito trek. I noticed the people in the next site were on the Quitobaquito trek with me and struck up a conversation. Turns out one of them is a reporter from the LA Times and is writing an article about border park safety.

After a relaxing lunch I leisurely hike Alamo Canyon looking for some prospects I noted on a Topo map. Nothing exciting to report. Alamo Canyon was totally dry – another first as there always seemed to be water up near the corral and confluence.

I expected to see water in the usual spots with some choice wildflowers. Looks like I was a couple of weeks too late... :(

Nice to be able to get the unexpected “offer” to hitch a ride to Quitobaquito and wrap it up with some exploring of mining and ranching relics in and about Alamo Canyon.
85 images on iPhone 4S
61 images on Canon Rebel XT
16 images on Canon 7D
127 images on Canon 6D
289 TOTAL IMAGES
298 TOTAL MILES RETURN ON F-150
Maybe el Pinicate (the Mexican "sister park" to Organ Pipe Cactus NM) will be next on the "to do" list :next: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/pinacate.htm
Or mountain biking the 21 mile Ajo Mountain Loop Drive :next: https://www.nps.gov/orpi/planyourvisit/ ... biking.htm
:)
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Organ Pipe Cactus
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fraley Pose
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
brittlebush, brittlebush, brittlebush, plus an occasional desert marigold
_____________________
 
Jan 13 2013
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Organ Pipe Cactus NM - Winter 2013, AZ 
Organ Pipe Cactus NM - Winter 2013, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 13 2013
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking9.25 Miles 2,895 AEG
Hiking9.25 Miles   7 Hrs   15 Mns   1.28 mph
2,895 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Mount Ajo
Bull Pasture - Estes Canyon Loop
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Partners none no partners
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - Winter Chill 2013
The Organ Pipe/Cabeza Prieta/Barry M. Goldwater Range trio has always been a special place for me - a destination that conjures up images of the "wild-wild west" with an element of danger in an area of totally unique geology, flora, and fauna found nowhere else in the world.

ORPI => https://www.nps.gov/orpi/index.htm
Cabeza Prieta => https://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/a ... index.html
BMGR => https://www.luke.af.mil/library/factshe ... sp?id=5062

A trek along the El Camino del Diablo (check out => [ El Camino Del Diablo ] ) provides an opportunity to traverse the ORPI/CPNWR/BMGR trio. Although we weren't able to pull off a "birthday weekend" trek along El Camino, we did pull off the next best thing - a "birthday weekend" viewing of El Camino and surroundings from the highest vantage point - Mt. Ajo Peak (check out => https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=4116 and https://www.summitpost.org/mount-ajo/151379#chapter_5 ).

A 6:45am rendezvous at the Ahwatukee Einstein's Bagels for an eye-opener and some morning eats and we were on the road by 7am. The pre-dawn temperature of 27degF seen on my truck thermometer was probably the lowest I've ever seen leaving my house for a hike. Needless to say we were prepared for a winter hike fit for US/Canada border destination - not the US/Mexico border destination we were headed towards!

We made the ORPI Visitor's Center around 9:30am to purchase my annual NPS pass (check out => https://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm ) and we were soon bouncing our way along Ajo Mountain Drive towards the trail head. With this being Jeff Cherry's first desert hiking trek, we had multiple stops taking in the choice sights. By the time we were able to start our ascent of Mt. Ajo, it was 10:30am. As per usual, we agreed on a hard-stop turnaround time - 2:30pm - to avoid a treacherous return in darkness on a moonless night.

We arrived at Bull Pasture a little after 11:30am were we lingered a bit and lightened our backpack load eating and drinking a good portion of the weight. We finished the steep scree ascent topped out by "the whale" (check out => [ photo ] ) a little after 1pm arriving at the summit 2:30pm sharp - our designated turnaround time. We couldn't resist squeezing in a few extra minutes to suck-up those stunning 360 degree views, sign the summit register in the ammo box, and ponder the purpose of the nearby solar powered antenna. Even picked out some of the landmarks along the El Camino del Diablo from this vantage! I should point out that the low temperatures took the charge out of my camera battery (had to warm them up in my hands many times just to get a shot).

The descent went as planned - 3 segments each doable in 1 hour chunks (summit to "the whale" in 1 hour; "the whale" to Bull Pasture signage in 1 hour; Bull Pasture to the TH in 1 hour). We broke out the BBQ to grill some brats with some choice beverages and snacks at the trail head. As the sun disappeared, so did the comfortable temperatures. We had to retreat to the cab of the F-150 and crank up the heater before we could finish our last brat and have dessert. We packed-up and readied for the return home drive. As my truck transitioned from the gravel of Ajo Mountain Drive to Hwy 85, my truck thermometer indicated 31degF and 7pm.

It should be noted that as we exited ORPI and stopped at the Border Patrol checkpoint, it marked our first human encounter of the day since I purchased my NPS pass earlier that morning. Photos to follow (when I get the chance)...
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cotton  Organ Pipe Cactus
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bull Pasture  Mount Ajo
_____________________
 
Jan 19 1996
avatar

 Routes 36
 Photos 2,658
 Triplogs 1,347

67 male
 Joined Jul 28 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Mount AjoSouthwest, AZ
Mount Ajo
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 19 1996
mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347
Hiking9.00 Miles 2,800 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles
2,800 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Bull Pasture - Estes Canyon Loop
Visitor Center Trail - Organ Pipe NM
Alamo Canyon - Organ Pipe NM
Ajo Mountain Drive - 21 mile bike loop - ORPI
Partners partners
canadarambler
Did this with my brother - his flight was a few hours late so we got a late start from PHX. We stopped in Gila Bend around midnight for a late dinner and then drove south. We took a side road and camped under a few Palo Verdes - I think we were inside the bombing range but hadn't noticed in the dark :scared: We had a great breakfast at a little cafe in the square in Ajo then hit the trail and peak and then camped over at Alamo Wash. Great views from the top.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 1.64 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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