We spent a day at OPCNM. We started on the west side by driving the 51 mile Puerto Blanco Drive.
Views along the drive. We were told that the wildflowers were the best that they had been in 15 years.
Ocotillo cactus in bloom.
Cholla cactus next to Mary. There are several kinds.
Scorpions are easy to find under rocks or wood.
Organ pipe cactus native to the sonoran desert, with a small teddy bear cholla cactus in the foreground.
Stopped and had lunch at the Golden Bell Mine under the shade of the palo verde tree (above)
Bonita Well Area
More views along the Drive, including the barrel cactus in first photo
Just north of Quitobaqito Spring the Pozo Nuevo Road heads north to Bates Well and Ajo. We took this road up to the point that it goes over Cipriano Pass. We saw a great deal of evidence that this road carries a considerable amount of drug and wetback traffic. If you travel in this area I would be heavily armed. (like I always am) Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, ranked first in the study, conducted by the Fraternal Order of Police's U.S. Park Rangers Lodge. Droves of illegal immigrants and drug smugglers are mainly to blame for the problems there, the group says. The group said Organ Pipe is "so dangerous the Park Service uses it as a training ground for tactical operations," with rangers from throughout the nation practicing with camouflage, assault rifles and night-vision goggles.
A very happy saguaro.
We took shifts in this area exploring. The parking area was right on the border and we heard that this was a place that your car would be broken into if you left it even for a very short time. In the end we saw nobody.
Looking West Mexico on the left and USA on the right
Looking East Mexico on the Right and USA on the Left
The cement markers that mark the border
Looking north into the USA
Nice march day 80 degrees with 10% humidity
The springs area. Very nice.. Not a safe place to be with the border so close
A sign telling the wetbacks "no protection from the elements" "It's not worth it" Let the bastards die..... The bugs need to eat
Ken and Mary standing in Mexico
A house accross in Mexico using the border fence to hang up clothes
More views aling the drive.
Heading onto the East side of the park The East side is higher elevation and a few miles away from the border. We felt safer and had no problem leaving the vehicle un-guarded
