Arch Canyon Trail

In mid-November, my daughter and I drove south from Ajo, Arizona, on Highway 85 to have what was planned as an introductory look at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Upon arrival, we checked in with the ranger at the Kris Eggle Visitor Center, bought our permits, and learned that driving  the 21-mile Ajo Mountain Drive loop would be our best option, as our car was not suitable for the longer loop to the west. We were told to allow an hour and a half, plus any time we wanted to spend exploring on foot.

Ajo Mountain Drive soon became a one-way road. A sign warned that there are no services, that the road was rough (it was actually in great condition), and vehicles are limited to 25 feet in length. It didn't take long for us both to decide that this had been a wonderful idea. 

As we continued, we climbed a little up into the spectacular Ajo Mountain Range, which is largely composed of a reddish-brown volcanic rock called rhyolite. When we reached the Arch Canyon trailhead at the northern-most point of the loop, we quickly decided to go for a short hike.

While the NPS says the trail is “easy, relatively flat,” there are enough ups and downs for a “moderate” rating even on a day with reasonable temperatures, in my opinion. Sightlines are quite short in most places so we were always wondering what incredible scene might be around the next corner. Desert plants were new to us, and getting a close look at species such as particularly healthy Jumping cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida) was fascinating.

Some of the the eroded and shifted volcanic cliffs and rocks above the trail are incredible.

Twenty-five minutes from the car, we came to a sign confirming that we were on the trail, and we were ready for much more, but a minute later, the trail ended at the bottom of a steep, unmarked slope of rough rock. I started up, but quickly decided that was not what we wanted to do, so we started walking back to the car. Looking at trail guides now, I had started up a route that is "generally considered a challenging route," so quitting was a good idea.

Back at the car, we agreed that the Arch Canyon Trail had been a superb introduction to what is available in this area.