National Park Service Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument U.S. Department of the Interior December 2016 - November 2017 Cactus Chronicle A True Desert Experience Awaits WHETHER YOU ARE HERE FOR T W O HOURS OR T W O weeks, there are plenty of opportunities to explore Organ Superintendent’s Welcome Pipe Cactus National Monument. Any trip should start at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center. A fifteen minute movie, exhibits, No matter and park rangers are available to answer your questions. how long your stay, there are 2 Hours or less: many treasures awaiting your • Stop by the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, watch the 15 discovery. minute film, explore the exhibit hall, and stroll the Take the time nature trail. to explore the spirit • Drive the North Puerto Blanco Drive to the Pinkley and secrets Peak Picnic Area (10 miles round-trip) for great of the park. views of the desert and cacti. The variety of plants and • Do a short hike near the campground. animals found in the desert is astounding. 2-4 Hours: I hope you will take advantage of our exhibits and ranger programs and learn • Tour the Ajo Mountain Scenic Loop, a 21 mile about the fascinating ways that plants and animals have adapted to living in the round-trip graded dirt road. Be sure to pick up a Sonoran Desert. free road guide at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center. • Ta ke a moderate hike in the Senita Basin area. Camping, hiking, birding, photography, • Attend a ranger led hike or location talk. exploring – the list of ways to enjoy and understand Organ Pipe Cactus’s natural • Visit Quitobaquito Springs. beauty and history is unlimited. Experience All Day: your America, make Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument your own special • Drive the Puerto Blanco Scenic loop. This trip will place, and have a safe and memorable take 4-6 hours, and a high clearance 4WD vehicle is visit. required. A visit to Organ Pipe Cactus can begin • Explore the Ajo Mountain Scenic Drive and hike a lifetime of experiences enjoying your the Bull Pasture/Estes Canyon Loop Trail. national parks. In 2016, the National Park • Visit Quitobaquito Springs. Service celebrates its 100th birthday. As we celebrate 100 years of preservation • Join a Ranger for a guided van tour. and stewardship, we invite you to Find One day not enough? Your Park, no matter where that may be, and to be inspired by all of these special Stay the night at Organ Pipe Cactus and experience the places. During day or night, the Sonoran Desert beckons to be explored. Take calmness of the desert after dark. Camping is available one of the many scenic drives at different times of the day to see the -Superintendent Brent Range at Twin Peaks Campground. Primitive and backcountry interplay of sun and shadow across the landscape. camping is also available. Inside: Services / Special Programs…2 Ranger Programs/ Hiker Shuttles …3 5 Earn Your Pin 8 Plant Info Scenic Drives…4 Hike 5 miles at Organ Pipe Cactus and earn What exactly is an organ pipe cactus? What Adventure Guide & Safety…5 a pin as your reward for being active in your makes it different from the other plants in the Hiking & Camping Guide…6,7 national park. Details on page 5. Sonoran Desert? Turn to page 8 to learn all Bird & Flower Guides…10,11 about this amazing plant. Map of Monument…12 2 National Park Service Information and Services U.S. Department of the Interior Emergencies Accessibility For 24-hour emergency The Kris Eggle Visitor Fires Firearms response, call 911. The Center, restrooms, and 1/10 At Twin Peaks Campground As of Feb. 22, 2010, Organ Pipe Cactus closest medical clinic is the mile nature trail are fully fires are permitted only federal law allows people National Monument Desert Senita Community accessible; and certain ranger in campground fire grills who can legally possess Health Center in Ajo, 520- programs are accessible. Ask Protecting 516 square miles of using pressed logs, charcoal, firearms under federal, Sonoran Desert, Organ Pipe Cactus 387-5651. The closest for an accessibility brochure or firewood. Wood fires Arizona and local laws to National Monument is a sanctuary hospitals are in Phoenix and at the Visitor Center. are prohibited at Alamo possess firearms in Organ for diverse species, some endangered. Tucson. The park was established by President Entrance Fees Campground. Gathering dead Pipe Cactus National Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937 and has Visitor Center • $12 per vehicle, $4 per or down wood is prohibited. Monument. since been recognized as a Biosphere The Kris Eggle Visitor Center pedestrian or bicyclist. It is the visitor’s Good for seven days. Reserve by the United Nations. Over is open daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 Western National responsibility to understand 95 percent of Organ Pipe Cactus is p.m. except Thanksgiving • Free with Interagency Parks Association and comply with state, designated Wilderness. Come explore and Christmas. There is a 15 Annual passes. The Association is our local, and federal firearms the wonders and the wild of the minute film, short accessible • Free with Golden Age, partner and operator of the laws. Federal law prohibits Sonoran Desert! nature trail, exhibits and Senior, and Access park bookstore, located in the firearms in certain facilities Superintendent park store. Ranger led talks, lifetime passes. visitor center lobby. It sells within the monument. Brent Range tours and hikes are offered educational books, post cards, These are identified by Pets local arts, and cultural items. Mailing Address December through March. signs at public entrances. Organ Pipe Cactus National Pets must be on a leash at all If you have questions, Monument Lost and Found times. Pets are allowed on Internet Access please contact the Arizona Contact the Kris Eggle Visitor 10 Organ Pipe Drive roads, in campgrounds, picnic Free public wifi is available Department of Public Center at 520-387-6849 ext. Ajo, AZ 85321-9626 areas, the Palo Verde, Alamo at the Kris Eggle Visitor Safety at (800) 256-6280 or 7302. Phone Canyon, and Campground Center. After-hours, visitors visit their website http:// 520-387-6849 Perimeter trails. can access the wireless from www.azdps.gov/Services/ E-mail outside the building. Concealed_Weapons/. [email protected] Web site http://www.nps.gov/orpi Nearby Atttractions Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ Cabeza Prieta Tohono O’odham El Pinacate y Gran Saguaro National OrganPipeNPS National Wildife National Museum Desierto de Altar Park Refuge and Cultural Center Located in Sonora, Mexico, Just outside of Tucson, The National Park Service Bordering Organ Pipe Cactus Learn and explore the vibrant Organ Pipe Cactus’ sister Arizona, Saguaro National cares for special places saved by to the west , this refuge history and culture of the To- park preserves an amazing Park protects impressive the American people so that all preserves a vast wilderness hono O’odham people. ecosystem marked by large stands of desert plants and may experience our heritage. and numerous important (520) 383- 0201 extinct volcanoes. mountain ranges. species. 01 (638) 384-9007 (520) 733-5153 (520)-387-6483 Special Programs Special educational and recreational opporunities for the public are offered throughout the season. Check with a ranger, on a bulletin board, or at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center for more information. Programs are subject to change and cancellation. All programs take place at the visitor center unless otherwise noted. These programs run January 2017 through April 2017. Night Sky Parties: Full Moon Hikes: Lecture Series: Border Patrol 101: Chief Talks: Explore the night sky with park Hike the Desert View Trail Speakers include biologists, Join agents from the U.S. Meet members of the rangers. Parties will include with a Ranger under the archaeologists, rangers and Border Patrol in the Kris Eggle Monument’s management a short program, followed by light of the full moon. Dress other specialists who delve Visitor Center Auditorium to team and learn about how night sky viewing through a warmly, wear sturdy shoes, and more deeply into subjects tied explore their role and mission. different divisions in the park variety of devices, inlcuding bring a flashlight and water. to Organ Pipe Cactus. work towards a common goal. telescopes. Meet the ranger at the Group 2:00pm Campground. 2:00pm First and third Wednesdays of 11:00am January 27, February 26, Second Wednesdays of the the month. First and third Thursdays of March 27 January 12, February 10, month. 45 minutes the month. Twin Peaks Campground March 12 1 hour 20 minutes Explore the Night Sky Occasionally during the winter months, park rangers and volunteers will have telescopes set up in the Twin Peaks Campground. Check bulletin boards for dates and times. 3 Free Ranger-Led Programs Please check park bulletin boards or call the visitor center at (520) 387-6849 x7302 for more information. Bring sunscreen, water, and snacks to all outdoor programs. Van spots may be reserved by calling the visitor center up to seven days in advance. Children must be accompanied by parents. Programs and shuttles are offered from mid-December through early April unless otherwise noted. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather and staff availability. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:00am Ajo Mountain Van Tour: Reservations Required 3 hrs Enjoy a unique three hour experience on a ranger led van tour of the scenic Ajo Mountain Drive. Several stops will provide an intimate look at the monu- ment. Seating limited to 10. 9:30am Ranger’s Choice Hike: varies Join a Park Ranger for a hike through the Sonoran Desert. Check at bulletin *Check for boards for topics and location.