Ajo Mountain Drive

Across from the Twin Peaks campground is a scenic drive through the desert and into the Ajo Mountains. The drive is 21 miles long and takes you past 18 markers. Using the guide provided at the campground you can learn about the plants, animals and history along the drive. At the mid point we stopped for lunch and enjoyed beautiful vistas of the arches visible from the picnic area. We found one Organ Pipe cactus with a phenomenon called a crest. The abnormal growth can occur in almost all species of plants and is still a mystery. Some believe that it is genetic issue while others feel it is a deformation due to frost. A typical cactus has growth cells on the tip of the arms which grow in a circle to form a columnar cactus. A crest can occur when the growth cells form a straight line causing this beautiful Pattern.

Organ Pipe National Monument

Just a short drive from the border with Mexico sits the National Monument named after the signature cactus found in this area, the Organ Pipe cactus. The Organ Pipe cactus, along with Senita cactus and elephant tree, are natives of the Sonoran Desert in Mexico, but the only US location is here in this area. We almost passed this park by and we are glad we did not for several reasons. First, it is beautiful, remote and very quite, with the exception of the generator hours. Second, we were shocked to see our good friends from Ohio that we met in New Mexico two years back walking the park the morning after we arrived. What are the chances. So we have extended our stay to 6 days and have enjoyed many hikes, meals and great conversations with Cassie and Jack.

This is a large campground and the hosts we ran into on arrival were a bit strange. There is no power but the sites are level for most of the campground and the dump station is at the far end in the tent area. I always wonder who designs these campgrounds, not a camper, that is for sure.

Appache Trail and Tortilla Flats

As our last few days wind down in the compound under the Thunder Rock we took the trail all the way to the Flats and a few miles beyond. The last time we were here the road was flooded out and given the low profile of our little tow car we could not move beyond the gift shop. This time we were able to get to the point where the road changes to gravel and becomes a single lane as it twists up, down and around the mountains. It is a beautiful drive and worth the white knuckles as you switch back and forth on the hairpin curves. We've decided that the next time were are in this area we will stay at the campground in the Flats. It is just $6 per night with water and sewer and the area has much to offer with hiking and water recreation with Canyon lake near the campground.

An evening with Dorothy and Lyle

Earlier this week we had Dorothy and Lyle over for dinner under the stars. After dinner we enjoyed a card game to top off a very enjoyable evening. A good time was had by all, even Blue who made a brief appearance during our card game.

Hiking Hieroglyphie Canyon Trail

We joined Lyle this morning for a 4+ mile hike up Gold Canyon on the Hieroglyphie Trail. The day started out with a little rain but as we walked up into the valley the sky cleared. Shortly after we started to see evidence for the first Americans that once lived and prospered in the region long ago. We reached an area where the water gathers in a small pool and Petroglyphs grace the rocks above the pool. The view from the upper valley was very special and best of all, we had the chance to share it with Lyle and his fellow hiking friends,