Desert View Trail, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Arizona > Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument > Desert View Trail
Desert View Trail
Loop across a stony hillside near the park campground, covered with many and varied desert plants; good views of the flat plains to the south
Length: 1.2 miles (loop)
Elevation change: 170 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Loop, maintained trail
Usage: High
Season: All year
Trailhead: End of the paved road through the campground
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Elevation change: 170 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Type: Loop, maintained trail
Usage: High
Season: All year
Trailhead: End of the paved road through the campground
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Most of the limited number of trails in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument cross the Puerto Blanco Mountains, on the west side of Hwy 85; destinations include Victoria Mine, Senita Basin, Red Tanks Tinaja, Milton Mine and Baker Mine, which like many of the mining sites scattered over this part of far south Arizona produced small amounts of gold and silver in the early twentieth century.
The trail to Baker Mine is 2.6 miles long and fairly level, with just a few gentle climbs and descents, across undulating land of dry washes, desert flats and low ridges; by a short distance this is the furthest from a road of at least seven mines in this part of the monument, most of which are accessed from Puerto Blanco Drive. Relics at Baker Mine are somewhat limited, to a shaft, an adit and several small tailings piles, but the views on the hike are varied, and plant life is abundant, especially the organ pipe cactus. Past the mine, the path continues to other destinations (Milton Mine, Senita Basin, Red Tanks Tinaja) to make a ten mile loop, though these places can also be visited on shorter, one-way hikes.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument map.
The trailhead is four miles along the northern section of Puerto Blanco Drive, one mile before the start of the rough, one-way section, which was reopened in 2014 after being closed for over ten years. Vehicles are parked at a small pull-out just north of the intersection with the disused mining track that leads to the mine, which forms most of the route for the trail. A map and informative notice describe the various hiking destinations, the closest and hence most visited being Red Tanks Tinaja.
The start of the path is flat, across whitish earth which accentuates the summer heat. The surrounding land is covered with healthy specimens of the two largest cacti species, saguaro and organ pipes, while tiny, contrasting wildflowers appear in spring, most numerous being yellow suncups. The path soon joins the disused track, marked by another sign advising of the dangers relating to smuggling, then the track crosses a small wash and follows a similar sized tributary southwards, later rising slightly over a low ridge and dropping back down into a larger, bushier drainage. A junction is reached on the far side, where the left fork leads to Red Tanks Tinaja and Senita Basin, the former a nearby section of the streamway which harbors several permanent pools enclosed by reddish rocks, while right is the lesser-used path to Baker Mine.
The trail to Baker Mine is 2.6 miles long and fairly level, with just a few gentle climbs and descents, across undulating land of dry washes, desert flats and low ridges; by a short distance this is the furthest from a road of at least seven mines in this part of the monument, most of which are accessed from Puerto Blanco Drive. Relics at Baker Mine are somewhat limited, to a shaft, an adit and several small tailings piles, but the views on the hike are varied, and plant life is abundant, especially the organ pipe cactus. Past the mine, the path continues to other destinations (Milton Mine, Senita Basin, Red Tanks Tinaja) to make a ten mile loop, though these places can also be visited on shorter, one-way hikes.
Maps
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument map.
Trailhead
The trailhead is four miles along the northern section of Puerto Blanco Drive, one mile before the start of the rough, one-way section, which was reopened in 2014 after being closed for over ten years. Vehicles are parked at a small pull-out just north of the intersection with the disused mining track that leads to the mine, which forms most of the route for the trail. A map and informative notice describe the various hiking destinations, the closest and hence most visited being Red Tanks Tinaja.
Trail to Red Tanks Tinaja Junction
The start of the path is flat, across whitish earth which accentuates the summer heat. The surrounding land is covered with healthy specimens of the two largest cacti species, saguaro and organ pipes, while tiny, contrasting wildflowers appear in spring, most numerous being yellow suncups. The path soon joins the disused track, marked by another sign advising of the dangers relating to smuggling, then the track crosses a small wash and follows a similar sized tributary southwards, later rising slightly over a low ridge and dropping back down into a larger, bushier drainage. A junction is reached on the far side, where the left fork leads to Red Tanks Tinaja and Senita Basin, the former a nearby section of the streamway which harbors several permanent pools enclosed by reddish rocks, while right is the lesser-used path to Baker Mine.
Similar Trails
All Contents © Copyright The American Southwest | Comments and Questions | Contribute | Affiliate Marketing Disclosure | Site Map