This is the cactus the park in named after.
We decided on Victoria Mine trail. It is a 4.5 mile trail that is rated as easy. We must be feeling our age because we both felt moderate would be a better rating.
It crosses several washes and is a series of short uphill and downhill switches.
One of many washes.
Beautiful scenery all around.
Blooming Ocotillo.
We had to ask this guy directions, but had no idea which direction he was telling us to go.
The hike ends at Victoria Mine, home of one of the oldest historic sites on the monument grounds. The old mine shafts are covered with steel grating to prevent entrance and to protect the bat population living within the mine. The ruins of the miner's house remain at the sight.
We paused at the mine for a small snack before beginning our return hike back to the trailhead. According to our I-phone apps we covered a total of about 5.5 miles, 15,984 steps and were on the trail about 3 hours. It was in the high 80's by the time we reached the parking lot, so we were happy to be off the trail.
We were within five miles of the Mexican border, so Paul wanted to drive down to see the current wall. We had to drive two miles down a washboard dirt road to reach the border.
Surprisingly, we did not see any Border Patrol, but they probably knew we were there. The wall was a steel mesh and about 12 feet high.
Can you see it going all the way up the mountain?
Mexico.
We then returned to the desert along AZ Highway 85 in search of Crested Saguaro cactus. The brochure we obtained at the Visitor's Center calls them Cristate Saguaro cactus. (What do you think, Pam?) They are called Cristates because they often resemble the crests found in medieval times. This anomaly is rare but can be found on cactus scattered across the Southwestern United States. We found three today. Yea for us!
This one was right along HWY 85.
Bella even enjoys looking for crested saguaro and found one!
We returned home to the Hickiwan Trails RV park to find a welcoming crowd of donkeys “honking” are arrival. They were right by the front gate having visited the pond behind the casino. Funny!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
Those cactus are amazing!
ReplyDeleteHow long are you there as we are now 10 miles north in Ajo!
ReplyDeleteThose are incredible cactus especially the crested. Thanks for sharing some really good pics. I imagine y'all were pretty worn out after such a full day.
ReplyDeleteWe found both of those beautiful crested saguaro:) I beleive there at least three along the road from the RV park to Organ Park. Make sure you get the detailed directions for all the crested cacti along the scenic loop trail at the VC. There are so many crested organ pipe and they are spectacular. We found several on our hikes in the park. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI had no trouble publishing my post this morning from Live Writer. Strange that some people are having issues again.
ReplyDeleteHow cute that Bella likes to go for rides.
We loved our time in Organ Pipe National Monument when we were there a couple of years ago. Such neat scenery there and the cacti were amazing there. I think we did the same hike as you did actually we did several different ones while we were there.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time exploring the park, such amazing scenery.
ReplyDeleteI was laughing as I read your designation for the trail. I hear ya. Must be youngsters making those designations.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the organ cactus when we were there, and knew to watch for the crested, thanks to a blog post you had written about them.
The campground at Organ Pipe is the only campground we have been in that the guy on the gate came out with a tape measure to measure our rv. We had the motorhome then and he said we were over 40' and could not camp there. We were 40' on the nose so he let us in...lol
ReplyDeleteHuh, deformed cacti. Imagine that!
ReplyDeleteWe've been to Organ Pipe several times. It is so beautiful. An awesome trip would be planning it when everything is in bloom. I am sure the Border Patrol knew exactly where you were.
ReplyDeleteIt has been years since we have visited Organ Pipe. Thanks for that trip down memory lane...beautiful photos.
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