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ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is located on Arizona Highway 85, 70 miles south of Gila Bend, AZ.  It was preserved as a National Monument in 1937. This is the northern most region where organ pipe cacti grow and the only place in the U.S. where they can be found.  The average temperature between October and April is approximately 70 degrees and between May and September the temperature often exceeds 105 degrees.  The average rainfall is nine inches per year.

                     

City of Ajo, Arizona.

                                              
The city of Ajo, located 30 miles south of Gila Bend on Arizona 85, was once a copper mining town. Today copper is no longer mined, but one can see the effects of strip mining.

See the variety of cacti.

                                                         
Organ Pipe Cactus                         Senita Cactus             Engelmann Prickly Pear Cactus

                                                        
These are three types of the Chainfruit Cholla

                                                        
             Buckhorn Cholla                 Cholla and Saguaro Cacti        White-Winged Dove on a Saguaro Cactus

Follow Barb & Ed along Ajo Mountain Drive.

                
Arch Canyon is approx 90 feet wide and 30 feet tall. It was caused by volcanic action.

                                         
Barb is standing with Organ Pipe Catus.         Ed is standing amongst the Saguaros.

                                                       
These pics were taken along a very strenuous hiking trail called Estes Canyon - Bull PastureTrails. The first pic is of Barb sitting atop Bull Pastures; outstanding views of the entire park!!!  The second pic is of Barb on the trail, we thought we were at the top, but oh how wrong we were.  The last pic is of Ed, his back is to the Ajo Mountain Range.

Victoria Mine Trial

                                       
This leisurely hike led us to the most productive Gold & Silver mine in the park area. Mining ceased in 1937 when the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was established. Mining was reinstated in 1941 due to the war efforts, and all mining in the area was discontinued in 1978.  The pic to your right is of the old hangout used by the miners in the 1930s.

Finish your tour on the Puerto Blanco Drive.

                                                             
The Puerto Blanco Drive is 51 miles long. It stretches through the Park and provides some interesting areas. The first pic is of the Ajo Valley. The second pic is of the Bates Mountain Range, which borders the park to the north.  Lastly, this pic was taken at the Quitobaquito Oasis, amazingly enough there is a fresh water spring located about 100 yards from this small lake. Around the lake it has many deciduous trees(leafy) and is a habitat for many birds.  This is located on the US/ Mexico border.

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