Sorry for very short notice but am planning an outing to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on Wednesday April 19th. Plan is as follows:
0730 hrs: Meet for breakfast at Golden Corral on Litchfield and Grand in Surprise. Leave by 0900
0915 hrs: Depart from Sam's Club Gas bar at 16607 W Bell Rd in Surprise
It is approximately 135 miles from Surprise to Chris Eggle Visitor Centre in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.....vis 303 south, I-10 west, then 85 south through Gila Bend and Ajo. Plan is to get to visitor centre by noon.
1200 hrs: Entrance to monument is $12 per car. If you have exact change, you can pay using envelopes at entrance to loop road. Plan is to take 21 mile Ajo Mountain Loop road in the monument which is a 10 to 20 mph road...paved in places and fine dirt elsewhere. Talked to monument ranger about taking Corvettes and low clearance vehicles on loop and he said road was fine for public vehicles and there were only three or four places were vehicle would have to move very slowly to get through. Loop road is supposedly quite scenic and in places rises 1400 feet from starting point. People not wanting to drive loop road could take small hikes near visitor centre as well as touring visitor centre. Plan is to leave monument by 1500 hrs (3 pm). PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH AND PLENTY OF WATER
1500 hrs: Would head back for supper at the 4 star (Yelp) Little Italy Pizza & Restaurant on 502 E Pima St in Gila Bend... a 77 mile drive of about 1 1/2 hrs. Plan on arriving between 1630 and 1700 hrs.
1900 hrs: Leave for Phoenix....approximately 60 miles and 1 hr drive to Sam's Club Gas bar in Surprise
Weather looks dry with highs in upper 80s to low 90s. So total round trip is just shy of 300 miles and should be very interesting. I plan on posting pictures of worst part of loop road for those leery of taking this excursion because of fears for their low clearance vehicle.
If you plan on trying this adventure, would you please in your comments say if you wish to attend breakfast and/or supper and how many people would attend
