Just about the only corner of Arizona we had not explored was Organ Pipe National Monument. Normally by the middle of May it is far to hot to even consider but this year has brought the coolest May in recent history. We drove the 177 miles from our home north of Tucson taking state 86 southwest to its intersection with 85 at the "Town" of "Why/Y" (mostly a wide spot in the road) and continued south to the park.
The entire drive was scenic, about 90% 2 lane asphalt, with lots of medium grades as we wound through the high Sonoran Desert. There is next to nothing out in this part of southern Arizona but the given all of the rain and the resulting bloom), we have had this spring the ride was gorgeous with very little traffic. Here is a shot of the namesake "Organ Pipe Cactus":
The Visitor Center has some interesting displays and a small gift shop. Being a National Park the $12 a night camping fee was cut to just $6 a night courtesy of our "Geezer Cards". There are water spigots throughout the CG, with spring loaded handles and tapered without threads but they do have a nice two lane dump station that includes potable water. The campground which lies 1.5 mile further in has 208 sites, including us, three were occupied.
There are about half a dozen sites that have massive steel Ramada's one of which we were happy to select. All of the sites have mostly level concrete pads and the restrooms have flush toilets and solar heated showers that are not so hot on cool cloudy days.
The first day (Wednesday), the high of 87 had me running the generator for a couple of hours to cool the coach down to a very comfortable 74 degrees. The massive storm rolled in out of California on Thursday/Friday cooling things down nicely with highs in the low 70's.
Friday morning we elected to run all the way north on 85, through Gila Bend and on up to I-10 where we turned east transiting Phoenix from west to east arriving at lost Dutchman SP just outside of Apache Junction just ahead of the storms arrival. I guessed correctly that this would be the optimum location to enjoy the storm (as they are extremely rare in the middle of May). It poured through the late afternoon and early evening and really started coming down (like what a cow does on a flat rock), around 10. Saturday morning was gorgeous:
The whole trip was just about 475 miles, we averaged our usual 9.5 mpg and had a blast.
:B
The entire drive was scenic, about 90% 2 lane asphalt, with lots of medium grades as we wound through the high Sonoran Desert. There is next to nothing out in this part of southern Arizona but the given all of the rain and the resulting bloom), we have had this spring the ride was gorgeous with very little traffic. Here is a shot of the namesake "Organ Pipe Cactus":
The Visitor Center has some interesting displays and a small gift shop. Being a National Park the $12 a night camping fee was cut to just $6 a night courtesy of our "Geezer Cards". There are water spigots throughout the CG, with spring loaded handles and tapered without threads but they do have a nice two lane dump station that includes potable water. The campground which lies 1.5 mile further in has 208 sites, including us, three were occupied.
There are about half a dozen sites that have massive steel Ramada's one of which we were happy to select. All of the sites have mostly level concrete pads and the restrooms have flush toilets and solar heated showers that are not so hot on cool cloudy days.
The first day (Wednesday), the high of 87 had me running the generator for a couple of hours to cool the coach down to a very comfortable 74 degrees. The massive storm rolled in out of California on Thursday/Friday cooling things down nicely with highs in the low 70's.
Friday morning we elected to run all the way north on 85, through Gila Bend and on up to I-10 where we turned east transiting Phoenix from west to east arriving at lost Dutchman SP just outside of Apache Junction just ahead of the storms arrival. I guessed correctly that this would be the optimum location to enjoy the storm (as they are extremely rare in the middle of May). It poured through the late afternoon and early evening and really started coming down (like what a cow does on a flat rock), around 10. Saturday morning was gorgeous:
The whole trip was just about 475 miles, we averaged our usual 9.5 mpg and had a blast.
:B
Glad I saw this posting. And so good to hear all the positive.
We were there - I am guessing - about 11-12 years ago and not gone back.
But we will be in Indio mid Dec to about Feb 1st and were going to stop in Yuma for a few days coming home.
Going to alter that and include Organ Pipe - it is a gorgeous place.
We want FHU's so will stay in Ajo I guess.
Thanks for the info.
We were there - I am guessing - about 11-12 years ago and not gone back.
But we will be in Indio mid Dec to about Feb 1st and were going to stop in Yuma for a few days coming home.
Going to alter that and include Organ Pipe - it is a gorgeous place.
We want FHU's so will stay in Ajo I guess.
Thanks for the info.
Is South Puerto Blanco Drive (along the Border) open now? Has been closed in the past.
We have been down there hiking years ago but not for a few years; neat mine to hike to back in there.
We have been down there hiking years ago but not for a few years; neat mine to hike to back in there.
