  Organ Pipe Cactus National M...
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| Page Views: 7,950 Last Visit to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: February, 2005 | Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument by KimberlyAnn - last update: Aug 29, 2007 |
We first visited this desert in 2001, and loved Organ Pipe so much that we extended what was planned as a two-week stay into a three-week stay, then made a return three week visit in 2005. Organ Pipe, a Sonoran Desert, is a wilderness of plants, animals, mountains and plains. You can drive this park along lonely roads or hike a backcountry trail. You will find 26 species of cacti inhabiting the monument, including the saguaro and the organ pipe cactus, which the monument is named for. The organ pipe is a large cactus that is very rare in the United States, but is common in Mexico. Most of the organ pipe cacti in the U.S. live within Organ Pipe national Monument. This monument encompasses 516-square-miles, and is an outstanding natural wilderness preserve where you will view a desert that is almost unspoiled. In 1976, the United Nations understanding the importance of this area of the world recognized Organ Pipe as an International Biosphere Reserve. |
| Mexican and U.S. Border Fence |
|  | Border Problems In 2005 we found that all, except 5 miles, of the Puerto Blanco Drive was closed to visitors. This area of the park has had problems with illegal activity along the border between the U.S. and Mexico. Drug runners and people sneaking across the border into the U.S. illegally, frequently cross in this area on foot and in vehicles. Unfortunately the damage left behind by vehicles traveling through the desert wilderness is lasting and extremely harmful to native plant and animal species. In 2006 a fence built along the Mexican boarder of Organ Pipe to prevent vehicles from illegally entering the U.S. from Mexico and driving across the desert was completed. A reevaluation of the situation is being done to decide whether it is safe to reopen the drive. |
| The Devils Highway by Luis A. Urrea |
| | For More Information On the Border If you are interested in the plight of Mexicans coming into the U.S. illegally you may wish to read the book, The Devils's Highway a true story by Luis Alberto Urrea. This book is a moving story that tells of a tragic incident that ended in the death of 14 Mexicans. The book will open your eyes to the difficulties of the U.S. Border Patrol, and the desperation of those trying to come to the U.S. from Mexico illegally. Part of the tale takes place in Organ Pipe National Monument and its nearby Mexican town of Sonoyta, Mexico. According to this book Organ Pipe is the most dangerous national park in America due to the drug and human smugglers crossing its backcountry. Most of this activity takes place in the Puerto Blanco area, which explains the closing of this section of the park. |
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| Pros: | "If you are interested in a desert with a wide variety of plants and wildlife, and you enjoy getting away from city life and back to nature then this is the place for you." | | Cons: | "If you must have trees, and if you are not an outdoors type of person you will not like Organ Pipe. From May through September you can find temperatures that can exceed 105 degrees, making hiking dangerous as well as uncomfortable." | | In A Nutshell: | "A good place to get back to nature while hiking, bird watching, and exploring what I consider the most beautiful desert in the United States." |
KimberlyAnn's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Travel Tips
 KimberlyAnn's Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for KimberlyAnn about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument | | | | |
DSwede Thu Jul 17, 2008 13:04 UTC
Again, wonderful stuff. I love the far out places of the west & southwest! | SLLiew Sat Apr 26, 2008 04:33 UTC
What an amazing place. I love cacti. Was at Sonora Desert museum at Tucson but would visit this National Monument next time. Thanks for sharing. SL :) | toonsarah Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:50 UTC
Excellent page with great five star (yes, Ian is right!) tips. The scenery looks wonderful and the Mexican food sounds yummy :) | hindu1936 Sat Mar 25, 2006 07:21 UTC
very nice. thank you |
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