Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
It is funny how I go into an area with huge misconceptions of what it will be. I had always figured that Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument had one (alright, maybe a few) massive Organ Pipe Cactus and some land around it. I was hoping to gawk at this one massive cactus, snap a few photos, then move onto a hike.
The reality of the situation is quite depressing. Basically, the park houses “most” (not all) of the organ pipe cacti in the USA. This might make you believe they are rare, but that would be incorrect. They are common in Mexico, and considering that the land that the park resides on was most likely Mexico not long ago… well, it makes the park seem sort of “stolen” if you ask me.
Don’t get me wrong, it is some beautiful desert with something akin to 25 different cactus species in the park and the 21 mile Ajo Mountain Loop drive is worth the 2 hours needed (and good shocks). Lastly, I went out on the Arch Canyon trail (3/4 mile each way) in the 80 degree heat which made for a great bath later that evening.
“…considering that the land that the park resides on was most likely Mexico not long ago… well, it makes the park seem sort of “stolen””
Not so much. It was part of New Spain before being given to Mexico by Spain. We bought it for 15 million (1848) dollars and assumed over 3 million more in debt owed by Mexico. Not sure that Mexico cared much since they were having a bit of trouble with the Apaches at the time. ;)
I’m not so sure the $15m “forced sale” in 1848 after they surrendered in the Mexican-American war truly constitutes a ‘sale’ as much as it does a ‘theft’. However, this land (Organ Pipe) was not part of that dispute, it was bought in the Gadsden Purchase in the mid 1850’s. I didn’t mean to insinuate that this land was stolen (like the 1848 land) but that the feeling of what I thought was a rare cactus – which it is not – being stolen from me once I learned the truth.
“I thought was a rare cactus – which it is not – being stolen from me once I learned the truth.”
Ah, I gotcha. If you are looking for something like that, look up Palm Canyon between Yuma and Quartzsite. It’s the only native palm grove in AZ. Also, lots of good boondocking on Palm Canyon road.
Pat
p.s.: I forgot that the Gadsden Purchase adds another 10 million to the Mexicans. ;) And (mostly) solved that pesky Apache problem once Camp (now fort) Huachuca was established. The Mexicans gave Geronimo his name: “one who yawns”.