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Mount Ajo Summit - Organ Pipe
Cactus National Monument
| Summary: |
A nice hike to
the highest point in Organ Pipe National
Monument. The hike involves a steep climb with
an elevation gain of 2440 feet. The route is
described as a semi-loop, heading up the Bull
Pasture Trail and using the Estes Canyon Trail
on the return. |
| Directions: |
From Gila Bend,
drive south on Highway 85 to Ajo, then take
Highway 86 east to the small town of Why.
The Monument is 22 miles south of Why on Highway
85. After picking up a permit ($8 per car, good
for 7 days), head east on Ajo Mountain Drive
(well graded dirt) for 10+ miles to the Estes
Canyon/Bull Pasture Trailhead. |
| Road Conditions: |
Passenger Car |
| Navigation: |
Easy |
| Length: |
~9 miles |
| Date Hiked: |
November 2006 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Sunny and Warm |
|
Required Skills: |
 |
| Hike Description: |
From the parking
area follow the trail a short distance to where
it splits. The Estes Canyon Trail heads left and
the Bull Pasture trail goes right. Stay right on
the Bull Pasture Trail as it climbs at a
moderately steep grade through the foothills of
Mount Ajo through some nice desert scenery for
one mile to a junction where the Estes Canyon
Trail joins in again. Continue straight at this
junction and climb another 0.5 miles to top out
at a saddle and sign for Bull Pasture. The trail
officially ends here, however, an easy to follow
use trail continues the rest of the way to the
summit. Continue onwards as the path heads
through the grass in a southeasterly direction
then bends left to begin climbing again along
the left side of a prominent ridge. The path
then bends right and begins climbing very
steeply up a rocky gully, passing several
natural arches along the way (watch your footing
on the way down in this section, the gravel is
loose). The trail eventually tops out just below
the ridgeline of the mountain and bends north,
following the ridgeline up at a more moderate
grade and bypassing two minor peaks to the east
before finally reaching the summit. The peak
features an ammo can with register, several
solar powered weather stations and outstanding
360 degree views of Mexico to the South, the
Tohono O'odham rez to the east and the rest of
Organ Pipe Cactus NM. Supposedly it's possible
to see all the way to the Gulf of California on
a clear day. When ready, return the way you
came, or complete the semi-loop by turning right
when you reach the junction with the Estes
Canyon Trail. This path descends steeply into
Estes Canyon, then winds it's way through the
desert roughly following the dry wash to
eventually reach the trailhead 1.7 miles later. |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
The author and his wife hiked to the summit and
back at a medium pace in 7 hours. |
| Maps: |
Click here
for a map of the area. |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
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