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Arizona

Treasured Landscapes: Hiking Organ Pipe and Saguaro National Park

Program No. 22724RJ
Join experts in southern Arizona to hike among the signature cacti of Saguaro National Park and Organ Pipe. Experience stunning landscapes and a dazzling array of life.
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National ParksWalking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall Group
Length
7 days
Rating (4.95)
Activity Level
Starts at
1,999

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
17 meals ( 6B, 5L, 6D )
2 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Registration at 5:00 pm, Orientation at 5:30 pm. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table in the meeting room to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing the up-to-date schedule that reflects any changes, other important information, and to confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:30 pm. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions in our private meeting room. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions. Transportation will be provided primarily by passenger vans, unless otherwise specified. Throughout the program, our naturalist Group Leaders will cover various subjects including geology, geography, ecology, and human history while we hike as a single group with a hike leader in the front and a sweep towards the rear. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free Time” and “At Leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may be changed due to local conditions/circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel conference room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of passenger vans; driving about 21 miles to trailhead; approximately 3/4 hour riding time one way. Hiking up to 7 miles, about 6 hours; well-established but rocky Park Service trails. At 2.8 miles, Bridal Wreath Falls entails an elevation gain of approximately 1,100 feet from the Douglas Springs trailhead. Hiking distances: Trailhead to Bridal Wreath Falls roundtrip 5.6 miles. Trailhead to Bridal Wreath Falls returning to Trailhead via Three Tanks and Wildhorse Trails 6.9 miles.
Breakfast:
At the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
We’ll begin by loading our vehicles and driving to Saguaro National Park’s Rincon Mountain District, which contains some of the most outstanding Saguaro cactus specimens in the southwest. We will begin our hike at the Douglas Springs Trailhead. As we hike, we’ll link together a combination of national park trails (Douglas Springs, Three Tanks, and Wildhorse) and cover a variety of terrain including out-wash plains, foothills, and desert dry washes. In addition to brief trailside natural history and geology talks given by our Group Leader, we will identify many desert plants encountered and relate Sonoran Desert themes to the group. Our destination for the morning will be Bridal Wreath Falls. Water that flows over the falls is an intermittent and seasonal affair dependent on rainfall or snow melt from the higher elevations. The setting of the Falls is pleasant all year round, with an abundance of bird life and stone terraces surrounded by towering Saguaro cactus mixed with higher desert vegetation.
Lunch:
Lunch will be planned at Bridal Wreath Falls (weather permitting). We'll enjoy a sack lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will continue our hike. For those who choose, we will offer a shorter mileage return back to the Douglas Springs Trailhead with a Group Leader by hiking back along the same route as before. Total hike mileage for the day with this option is 5.6 miles. For those who may be looking for more hiking distance and physical output, we will also offer a longer arcing route (linking the Three Tanks and Wildhorse Trails) back to the Douglas Spring Trailhead. Total mileage for the day with this option is 6.9 miles. After completing our hike in the late afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local Mexican restaurant.
Evening:
After dinner, our Group Leader will discuss tomorrow's activities and timing before returning to the hotel. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of passenger vans; driving about 20 miles to morning hike, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Hiking about 2.5 miles, approximately 2 hours; sandy dry wash, rocky trail. Driving about 130 miles from Tucson to Ajo, approximately 2.5 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel and loading our vans, we’ll begin by driving to the Tucson Mountain Park for a half-day hike on the King Canyon Trail, which showcases a lovely riparian habitat along a desert wash. We’ll enjoy spectacular desert scenery, see ancient petroglyphs, immerse ourselves in Basin and Range geology, and see evidence of Civilian Conservation Corps-era structures.
Lunch:
Sack lunches in the field.
Afternoon:
Upon returning to our vehicles, we will take a short rest break before transferring to Ajo, where we will arrive for a late afternoon check-in at Sonoran Desert Inn & Conference Center (SDCC). Before checking into our rooms, the group will receive a warm welcome and thorough introduction to the facility by our host.
Dinner:
At the Sonoran Desert Conference Center (SDCC), we'll enjoy a dinner of local cuisine prepared by a different guest chef each evening. Feel free to bring beverages of your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Feel free to linger around the fire pit awhile or put your feet up and rest up for tomorrow's hike.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of passenger vans; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time roundtrip with a stop. Hiking about 5 miles roundtrip, approximately 3 hours; well-established rocky trails.
Breakfast:
At the SDCC. After breakfast, we will assemble our own lunches from a variety of sandwich options, fruit, and snack items.
Morning:
Heading out from the hotel, we’ll make our way to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Visitor Center and obtain entrance permits for the group. Today will be an "Instructor's Choice" hike day. Hiking locations will include one or more of the following areas of the park: Senita Basin, which has a network of hiking trails through a botanical wonderland that is home to all three columnar cactus found in the United States (Saguaro, Organ Pipe, and Senita) growing side-by-side in this sheltered locale. Alamo Canyon Trail, located along a major drainage of the Ajo Mountains, features desert bird species, historic ranching structures, riparian habitat, and towering rock faces. During the day, we will plan a visit to the southern boundary of Organ Pipe National Monument, which is also the international boundary with Mexico. During our stop, we’ll take a short walk to a portion of the "wall"/fence that is in place to separate Sonoyta, Mexico and the United States. A current topic of interest, this will be an opportunity to see for oneself the reality of the edifice.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll stop at a pleasant spot to enjoy the sack lunches we prepared after breakfast.
Afternoon:
Upon the completion of our hike in the mid-afternoon, we’ll return to our accommodations.
Dinner:
At the Sonoran Desert Conference Center (SDCC), we'll enjoy a dinner of local cuisine prepared by a different guest chef each evening. Feel free to bring beverages of your own.
Evening:
Gathering in the meeting room with a local expert, we’ll settle in for an informative presentation relating to Ajo and the surrounding area. Potential topics include local arts, native cultures, or other topics of interest.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of passenger vans; driving about 10 miles to trailhead, approximately 1/2 hour riding time roundtrip. Hiking about 3 miles, approximately 2.5 hours; relatively level terrain, some opportunities for rock scrambling to a ridgeline with sweeping views.
Breakfast:
At the SDCC. After breakfast, we will assemble our own lunches from a variety of sandwich options, fruit, and snack items.
Morning:
After loading we'll drive to the Crater Range north of Ajo for the day's hike, stopping along the way at the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to view an introductory video or perhaps enjoy a short talk from a staff member as an introduction to the area. Upon arriving at our "trailhead" in the Crater Range, we will begin a unique, off-the-beaten-path hiking experience among rugged, pygmy-like mountain peaks. As we walk, we’ll discuss and keep our eyes peeled for ancient cultural features such as petroglyphs, wildlife sightings and tracks, intriguing geological phenomena, and perhaps seasonal wildflowers.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll stop at a pleasant spot to enjoy the sack lunches we prepared after breakfast.
Afternoon:
We’ll return to the conference center in the early afternoon after our hike. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for independent exploration. Our Group Leader will pass out brochures that outline activities in the Historic District of Ajo. You may wish to take some time to explore the Ajo Plaza and galleries, or take the shuttle to the Historical Museum, where docents will be available to answer questions. Alternatively, you may just want to relax and put your feet up for a well-deserved rest.
Dinner:
At the Sonoran Desert Conference Center (SDCC), we'll enjoy a dinner of local cuisine prepared by a different guest chef each evening. Feel free to bring beverages of your own.
Evening:
Gathering in the meeting room with a local expert, we’ll settle in for an informative presentation relating to Ajo and the surrounding area. Potential topics include local arts, native cultures, or other topics of interest.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of passenger vans; driving about 40 miles to trailhead, approximately 2.5 hours riding time roundtrip with a stop. Hiking up to 5 miles roundtrip, approximately 4 hours; well-established rocky trail, multiple switchbacks, approximately 900-foot elevation change, some off-trail walking.
Breakfast:
At the SDCC. After breakfast, we will assemble our own lunches from a variety of sandwich options, fruit, and snack items.
Morning:
After setting out from the conference center, we’ll stop briefly at the Organ Pipe National Monument Visitor Center for permits to the scenic Ajo Mountain Drive. After a photo stop at Arch Overlook, we will arrive at the Estes Canyon and Bull Pasture trailhead for our hike. As we head up the trail, we will have our first opportunity to come face to face with an Organ Pipe Cactus and discuss its relationship to this rugged portion of the Sonoran Desert.
Lunch:
Along the trail, we’ll stop at a pleasant spot to enjoy the sack lunches we prepared after breakfast.
Afternoon:
We’ll return to Ajo in the mid-afternoon and take some time to freshen up before a pre-dinner get-together in the SDCC courtyard, where we will sit around a campfire.
Dinner:
At SDCC, we will enjoy a delicious celebratory farewell dinner. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 7:45 a.m. for transfer to Tucson; expected arrival time at the airport by about 11:00 a.m. Getting in/out of passenger vans; driving about 135 miles from Ajo to Tucson, approximately 3 hours riding time.
Breakfast:
At SDCC.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll transfer for drop-offs at the airport in Tucson, followed by the starting hotel. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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