MichelleI feel like I say this about every new place I go, but WOW! Organ Pipe Cactus NM is located south of Ajo, AZ right on the Mexican border. This part of the Sonoran Desert is called the Green Desert. I’m sure that in July it’s not so green but at this time of year there is an intermittent carpet of green grass and wildflower plants protected by Palo Verde trees, Mesquite, and Bitterbush. This is one of the few places in the US where you’ll find Organ Pipe Cactus since most of its habitat is in Mexico.
My newfound friends Theresa and Jeff came with me to Twin Peaks Campground which is inside the National Monument and super beautiful! Each campsite is paved with a picnic table and bbq stand, along with very nice desert landscaping between sites. There are multiple trails going around and out from the campground through this green desert landscape. I walked the Perimeter trail about a mile long; and Theresa, Jeff and I walked the trail to the visitor center and back (about 2.5 miles). There was ranger led talks at the Amphitheater most nights and I attended one about the history of the area.
The 3 of us did two scenic drives. The first was the Puerto Blanco Drive, a 40+ mile loop through the desert and rocky terrain. All different kinds of cactus and some wildflowers. We stopped at a picnic area for lunch and walked a short trail to Dripping Springs Mine (very little water and not sure we found a mine). It didn’t matter because this area was awash in yellow flowers making us stop every few steps to take a picture. The first 2/3 of this loop was spectacular. The last third ran beside the Border Wall which was interesting but somewhat boring.
Our 2nd scenic drive was the Ajo Mountain drive(about 21 miles). This drive was equally spectacular but in a different way. The road goes much closer into the mountains. We walked another short trail into Arch Canyon to see some small natural arches.
One day I took a drive to the small town of Ajo, AZ (pronounced Ah-Ho) which is very Spanish in style. The main square is a beautiful grassy lawn area with parking all around and shops on the outer perimeter. It was Sunday so everything was closed but the whitewashed structures around the town square and churches across the street made it a fine photographic tour. What an adorable town with a lot of art here and there. There used to be a copper mine here (no longer active) that you can drive to and look down into the gigantic stripped hole.
Twin Peaks campground is situated higher than the valley so the views and sunsets were pretty awesome. Before we knew it our one week at the campground was over. Theresa and Jeff had met some folks previously and were going to meet up with them West of northern Tucson on BLM land called the Ironwood National Monument. I followed them there where I met Emily & Leo, and Miranda & Dean. Within a day or two, two more couples that we met at Mittry Lake also joined us (Darlene & Wayne, and Valerie & Keith). After the first week another fellow full timer, Tom, joined us (we met him also at Mittry Lake). We had a big group and it was so fun meeting around the campfire at night, and sometimes dinner together. Dean and Leo serenaded us once or twice with their guitar and mandolin, playing the likes of CCR (Creedence Clearwater Revival), John Denver and other old time stuff.
Ironwood National Monument has some of the best free camping. The roads (dirt/gravel) are really good, and the camping areas are big and fairly level. Really nice views of some mountains one way, and Tucson area the other way. This area was great for daily walks since there was limited traffic. Being a fairly busy camping area, I was surprised at how quiet it was. Although the coyotes serenaded us most nights! There was less cactus here unless you went further back toward the mountains. The yellow/orange poppies were blooming all over along with other wildflowers. Multiple days we watched skydivers being dropped out of planes from a nearby airport. Two planes made trip after trip all day long taking up those brave people.
One day I drove into town, and while there I stopped at Sweetwater Wetlands Park. Multiple ponds are surrounded by trees and walking paths, and provides waterfowl and songbirds a place to nest and hang out. It was serene and the water made it feel not so deserty! Other than that I didn’t really explore too much. There are several areas on the other side of the valley that I want to see but will do that in a few weeks when I travel up that side of the valley. All of a sudden in mid-March the temperatures started going up, providing a couple of 80 degree days. I was able to take my Ebike out on several excursions. One time looking for Geocaches along the way. That was fun!
Four of the couples are Canadian and they are only allowed to be in the states up to 6 months during the year. One by one the 4 Canadian couples left and started their northward trek home. That left Jeff & Theresa, myself, and Tom. We continued the tradition of nightly fires and visiting with each other. What a great time this has been with new friends. Sometimes good things must come to an end (hopefully just temporary). I have reservations at a campground 30+ miles away so after being at Ironwood for 2 weeks, I must journey on.
Stay tuned for more adventures in Southern AZ!
