Tucson Volkssport Walking Klub
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT YEAR-ROUND WALK
2008
Tucson Volkssport Walking Klub
ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT YEAR-ROUND WALK
2008
DATES: January 1 to December 31, 2008
AVA EVENT NUMBER: 2008/Y1191. One event. Note: you may receive IVV event credit twice each year for this walk. You can obtain event credit the first six months and again the last six months of the year. You may receive IVV distance credit every time you do the walk.
DIRECTIONS:
From Phoenix / Central Arizona take I-10 to exit 112. Go south on State Highway 85 to Gila Bend. Go through Gila Bend and continue south on State Highway 85 to Ajo. The Chamber of Commerce is located on the southeast side of town on the right (west) side of the highway just after the railroad tracks.
Here is a map of the Ajo area. Click on the "+" to zoom in and enlarge the scale.
PROCEDURE: The registration box is outside the front door of the Chamber of Commerce building. Take out the notebook and follow the instructions.
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START/FINISH LOCATION: The walk begins at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Group Campground which is a 35-mile drive south of Ajo.
Here is a detailed road map for the area of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument you will be visiting.
NOTE: ENTRANCE FEE: there is a $8.00 per car fee to drive into the National Monument beyond the Visitor Center.
START/FINISH TIMES: 
You may participate in this walk any day of the year between sunup and sundown. During the hot summer months - when it is over 100 degrees! - it is advisable to do this walk in the early morning, and to carry 2 or more quarts of water and wear sunglasses and a hat. There is no shade along the walk.
DISTANCE: 11 km.
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A variety of Sonoran Desert plants may be seen along the trail, including: Barrel Cactus, Brittlebush, Bursage, Cholla Cactus (several varieties), Creosote Bush, Desert Marigolds, Fishhook Cactus, Globe (or Desert) Mallow, Hedgehog Cactus, Ironwood Trees, Limber Bush, Mesquite Trees, Ocotillo, Organ Pipe Cactus, Paloverde Trees, Pricklypear Cactus, and Saguaro Cactus.
Birds you may see along the trail include Black-Throated Sparrow, Cactus Wren, Curved-Bill Thrasher, Gambel's Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Mourning Dove, Northern Cardinal, Northern Flicker, Phainopepla, Pyrrhuloxia, Raven, Redtailed Hawk, Roadrunner, and Verdin. Here is a checklist of birds seen in the Monument.
Here is the official website for Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
WATER & RESTROOMS: Water and restrooms are only available at the Start/Finish Point. No water is available along the trail. You are strongly advised to carry your own water. During the hot summer months when temperatures may be 100 degrees plus, it is advisable to carry 2 or more quarts of water and wear sunglasses and a hat. There is no shade along the route.
You may walk for free if credit is not desired, but you must register and complete a start card.
You may do this walk one additional time the same day at no additional charge.
NATIONAL HERITAGE AWARD: This walk is in a national park site and qualifies for AVA's National Heritage Award Program.
AMERICAN AUTHORS AND LITERARY LANDMARKS SPECIAL AWARD: This walk qualifies for AVA's American Authors and Literary Landmarks Special Award Program. The walk passes some of the sites mentioned in the books Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: Where Edges Meet, by Bill Broyles, 1997; Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, by Natt Noyes Dodge, 1964; and Historic Resource Study, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, by Jerome A Greene, 1977.
WALKING THE USA, A - Z SPECIAL AWARD: This walk qualifies for the letter "A" for AVA's Walking the USA, A - Z Special Award Program.
DISCLAIMER: The sponsor or the American Volkssport Association are not liable for accidents, thefts, and/or material damage. Every effort has been made by the sponsors to make this a safe and enjoyable walk.
ELIGIBILITY: This walk is open to everyone. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an
adult. Pets are not allowed on National Park trails.
WEATHER: Check here for weather conditions in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (Lukeville).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
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Last updated: March 5, 2008
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