Hike Arizona - Southwest

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Table Top Mountain, Vekol Valley

	Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Hike:	Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was established to protect the rare Organ Pipe Cactus and 26 other cacti species, as well as more than 200 species of birds and other animals, many of which are unique to this area. Three distinctive divisions of the Sonoroan Desert converge here, representing six plant communities. The uniqueness of this habitat is attested to by the rarity of the Organ Pipe Cactus itself, and the even more rare Senita Cactus, both of which are found nowhere else in the US. Check the Weather - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Description:	Available Trails: Campground Perimeter Trail (1-mile round trip) allows pets, if leashed. Desert View Nature Trail (1.2 miles round trip) is a circular route leading to vistas of Sonoyta Valley and the pink granite of the Cubabi Mountains in Mexico. Trail side signs describe features along the way. Palo Verde Trail (2.6 miles round trip) goes between the visitor center and the campground. Estes Canyon-Bull Pasture Trail (4.1 miles round trip) is a strenuous climb with grand views of the surrounding terrain. Victoria Mine Trail (2.25 miles round-trip) goes over rolling terrain to the site of the oldest mine in the area. Lost Cabin Mine Trail (4.4 miles along an old, primitive mining road. Martinez Mine Trail (3.2 miles) to an abandoned mine over an old mining road. Senita Basin Loop (2.25 miles) through the oldest granite hills in the Monument. Milton Mine Trail (2.5 miles) through hills of Chrysocolla (false turquoise). Red Tanks Tinaja Trail (1.2 miles) follows the route of ancient Hohokam following tinaja springs. Dripping Springs Mine Trail (2.0 miles) travels through one of the moistest area of the Monument. Arch Canyon Trail (1.6 miles) is steep and rocky with a spectacular view into Mexico. Bull Pasture Trail (1.75 miles) through the historical focal point of all three cultures who have occupied the Monument. Estes Canyon Trail (2.25 miles) is a more gradual route to Bull Pasture. Old Ajo/Sonoyta Hwy. 85 Trail (7.5 miles) a 50-year-old remnant spur along old Hwy. 85. William Springs Trail (2.2 miles) from the Quitbaquito parking lot along the international border. Backcountry Alamo Canyon (1.5 miles) Grass Canyon (2.4 miles) Twin Peaks (1.5 miles) Pinkley Peak (1.0 miles) Mount Ajo (4.0 miles)

Table Top Mountain, Vekol Valley
Hike:	Description: The BLM trail starts at 2300 feet and climbs gently thru the mountain's desert foothills for about 2 miles before turning steeply up the slope in switchbacks for another 1.5 miles. Apparently quite rocky near the top, with minor exposure possible. Elevation at the summit is about 4300 feet. The relatively flat summit includes a 40-acre island of desert grassland. Best Time of Year to Hike: Fall, Winter, Spring Difficulty: Moderate Length: 7 mi RT Elevation Change: 2000' Weather Conditions: Casa Grande or Gila Bend
Drive:	Exit I-8, (exit 144) at Vekol Valley Interchange approximately 26 miles east of Gila Bend and 34 miles west of Casa Grande. Travel south on Vekol Valley Road 2 miles to the Vekol Ranch turnoff and continue south on the dirt-surfaced road to the right, using the map. It is 15.3 miles from I-8 to Table Top trailhead. Please note that the drive includes 13 miles of primitive dirt road, and a high clearance vehicle (though not necessarily 4WD) is recommended. Please let me know if you have such a vehicle that you could drive. Drive time is expected to be 2 to 2.5 hours each way. Hike time will be 3 hours up, 1.5 hours down, plus probably half an hour on the summit. A 7am departure from Phoenix would therefore get us back home between 4 and 5 pm.
Remarks:	Further trail information can be found at the BLM website: ...and in an Arizona Highways article from November, 1995
	Trip Report