The Southwestern Sojourn - Day 11: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ

I woke late but still managed to get some decent sunrise pics as I cooked breakfast.

I broke camp at a leisurely pace, letting the morning sun dry the ground up a bit before I left the site.  No issues leaving, though the tires could be heard shedding clumps of mud once I got up to speed on pavement!

I took AZ 86 towards the settlement of Why, yes, Why, AZ.  You then turn on AZ 85 south and about a mile down the road you turn off for the Gunsight Wash BLM site: GPS: 32.238056,-112.751396.  If heading south, turn right after Mile Marker 55 once you cross the bridge over the dry river bed.

I could see some RVs already in place and made my way past them seeking a bit more isolation.  Finally found a really nice spot after having a chat with a fellow camper who apparently comes here every year for the winter.

The dirt roads aren't bad but you have to take them slow, as there's some iffy spots which aren't an issue if you go slow and watch your turns.

Gunsight Wash BLM, about 1.5 miles from AZ 85

Got camp set up, had a sandwich for lunch and then geared up to go explore the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument located about 18 miles south on AZ 85.  You get to go through a Border Patrol Control point shortly after leaving the BLM site and then its just straight highway with overloaded trucks with Mexican plates heading south at above the posted 65 MPH speed limit!

Yes, both the Mexicans and some Arizona plated cagers passed my Ural even in the "No Passing" double-yellow line sections of highway.  Sheeesh.

Anyways, I checked in at the visitor center and was advised the best route to take was the Ajo Mountain Loop, for mountain views.  

See what you think:

You get a good view of the Mount Ajo and nearby mountains as you travel the 15 miles or so to the Visitor Center from the BLM site.

 Mount Ajo

These pics are views along the 20 mile loop that comprises the Ajo Mountain Drive Loop Route:

Cocotillo on the left, Teddy Bear Cholla on the right

Organ Pipe Cactus

 Arizona really produces some nice 

blue-shaded mountain views

Diablo Canyon behind Scarlett

More Organ Pipe Cactus

The middle mountain is Mount Ajo

No many clouds in the sky for tonight's sunset but it still rendered some nice colors back at the campsite:

I basically had the Ajo Mountain Drive Loop all to myself today, surprising for a weekend but I'll take it!  I did see two other cars but they were parked at one of the three picnic areas and I didn't see people nearby.

Only one mechanical issue, the ignition lock no longer turns with the key!  It had been acting rough as of late but I thought some lubricant would fix the issue.  Luckily, I had rigged up an ignition bypass a while back when fighting an ignition issue.

I have a spare ignition assembly so will replace that tomorrow along with the pusher brake pads as they were getting thin when I checked them before this trip.

The ignition lock issue aside, a pretty great day of riding!