Compare Treasured Landscapes: Hiking Organ Pipe and Saguaro National Park by Road Scholar

Day 1 Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Tucson. AZ

Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Program Registration. 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 ask for your packet when you check in. Orientation: 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 Leader will cover subjects including geology, geography, human, and natural history as we hike in one 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.

At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night's rest for the day ahead.

In the hotel conference room, we’ll have a Welcome Dinner buffet featuring salad, a main entree, side dishes, and dessert, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase from the hotel lounge.

Day 2 Hiking Saguaro National Park – Rincon District Tucson. AZ

Driving approx. 21 miles to trailhead; approximately 3/4 hour one way. Hiking up to 7 miles; about 6 hours; well-established but rocky Park Service trails. At 2.8 miles Bridal Wreath Falls will be our first destination, which entails an elevation gain of approx. 1,100 feet from the Douglas Springs trailhead. Hiking distances: Trailhead to Bridal Wreath Falls round trip 5.6 miles. Trailhead to Bridal Wreath Falls returning to Trailhead via Three Tanks and Wildhorse Trails 6.9 miles.

We’ll begin by loading our vehicles and transferring 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 trail side 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.

After lunch we continue our hike. For those that choose, we will offer a shorter mileage return back to the Douglas Springs Trailhead with a group leader by hiking the same route that the group hiked in on. Total hike mileage for the day with this option is 5.6 miles For those that may be looking for more hiking distance and physical output we will also offer a longer arcing route (linking the Three Tanks Trail and Wildhorse trail) 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.

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.

At the hotel restaurant, the hot buffet will include eggs, breakfast meats and potatoes, toast, a variety of pastries, cereals, and fruit, plus milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.

Lunch will be planned at Bridal Wreath Fall (weather permitting). We'll enjoy a sack lunch containing a sandwich, fruit, chips, and cookie.

At a local Mexican restaurant, we’ll choose from a wide variety of plated entrees on a select menu. Chips and salsa, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and water are included; other beverages available for purchase.

Day 3 Half-Day Hike in Tucson Mountain Park, To Ajo, Desert Botany Ajo, AZ

Driving approx. 20 miles to morning hike; about 1/2 hour. Hiking approx. 2.5 miles; about 2 hours; sandy dry wash, rocky trail. Afternoon drive of approx. 130 miles from Tucson to Ajo; about 2.5 hours.

After checking out of the hotel and loading our vans, we’ll begin with a transfer to the Tucson Mountain Park for a half-day hike on the King Canyon Trail as it showcases a lovely riparian habitat along a desert wash. We’ll enjoy views and see ancient petroglyphs along with Basin and Range geology, as well as evidence of Civilian Conservation Corps era structures.

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.

After dinner, relax after a full day. Feel free to to linger around the fire pit awhile or put your feet up and rest up for tomorrow's hike.

Hotel buffet.

Sack lunches in the field.

At the SDCC, we’ll enjoy a delicious buffet meal, with coffee, tea, water. Feel free to bring beverages of your own.

Day 4 Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Hike Ajo, AZ

Driving approx. 80 miles; about 2 hours roundtrip, with stop. Hiking approx. 5 miles roundtrip; about 3 hours; well-established rocky trails.

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 host 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, this hike 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 Sonoita Mexico and the U.S. A current topic of interest, this will be an opportunity to see for one's self the reality of the edifice.

Upon the completion of our hike in the mid-afternoon, we’ll return to our accommodations.

Gathering in the meeting room with a local expert, we’ll settle in for an informative presentation relating to Ajo and the surrounding area such as local arts, native cultures or other topics of interest.

At the SDCC, we’ll have a breakfast buffet with choices including eggs, oatmeal and yogurt with a variety of toppings, assorted cold cereals, breads, jams and fruit, plus coffee, tea, juice, water. After breakfast, we will assemble our own lunches of fruit, veggies, chips, cookies, and other snacks as desired. Sandwiches will be made to order by a conference center chef.

Along the trail, we’ll stop at a pleasant spot to enjoy the sack lunches we prepared after breakfast.

In the SDCC dining room, we’ll enjoy a fresh homemade dinner prepared by a local Ajo family served family style. Coffee, tea, and water included. Feel free to bring beverages of your own.

Day 5 Crater Range Hike, Ajo Free Time Ajo, AZ

Driving approx. 10 miles to trailhead; about 1/2 hour roundtrip. Hiking approx. 3 miles; about 2.5 hours; relatively level terrain, some opportunities for rock scrambling to a ridgeline with sweeping views.

After loading the vans and beginning our transfer, we’ll stop at the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to view a n introductory video to the area. We’ll then continue with a short drive to the Crater Range where we will begin a unique 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 early season wild flowers.

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.

Gathering in the meeting room with a local expert, we’ll settle in for an informative presentation relating to Ajo and the surrounding area such as local arts, native cultures or other topics of interest.

SDCC buffet.

Sack lunches along the trail.

At the SDCC, we will be having an inspirational buffet meal to experience locally sourced food – many of the ingredients coming from the on-site garden at the conference center. Be prepared to stretch your culinary boundaries and try something new with fresh, contemporary fare.

Day 6 Organ Pipe Cactus NM – Estes Canyon, Bull Pasture Hike Ajo, AZ

Driving approx. 40 miles to trailhead; about 2.5 hours roundtrip, with a stop. Hiking up to 5 miles roundtrip; about 4 hours; well-established rocky trail, multiple switchbacks, approx. 900-foot elevation change, some off-trail walking.

Setting out from the conference center, we’ll stop briefly at the Visitor Center for permits on the scenic Ajo Mountain Drive along the way to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. After a photo stop at the 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.

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. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

SDCC buffet.

Sack lunches along the trail.

At SDCC, we will enjoy a delicious celebratory farewell buffet dinner catered by a local Ajo family and featuring traditional Mexican dishes including some specialties that are not often seen in a typical restaurant. Coffee, tea, water included; feel free to bring your own beverages.

Day 7 Transfer to Tucson, Program Concludes Tucson. AZ

Hotel check-out by 7:45 a.m. for transfer to Tucson; expected arrival time at the airport by about 11:00 a.m. Driving approx. 135 miles from Ajo to Tucson; about 3 hours.

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!

SDCC buffet.