The weather is always an element of chance anywhere this time of year, but Southern Arizona should be one of the best places to be--except when the storms come from the south! Rain the following morning ended in time for a climb of the high point of the Tinajas Altas Mtns (2,764') and return to camp just at dark, but the entire 6th day was RAIN, heavy at times. Still, the timing was right, temperatures were mild, the Surburban served as a social center and campfires were enjoyed under a big tarp. Friday, Dec. 28 (Day 7), saw a gradual clearing trend and a local point, known as Raven Butte, (1,773') was ascended in the afternoon. Saturday we retraced our route eastward to Tule Wells, where we encountered 2 other 4WD vehicles with 4 people--first seen in a week-- who had just come from where we were heading and told us horror stories of the mud ahead, of using tire chains (even with 4WDs), of one vehicle towing the other out of a swamp--in the Arizona desert? After climbing Tule Mountain (2,307'), we continued east and camped at the edge of a lava field. Next morning we were greeted by a single, spectacularly white, shore bird, poking around the black lava rocks alongside our vehicles. It was later identified as a "cattle egret a number of which we saw later dipping into the mud of the road tracks further east. By this time the weather had improved considerably but, as we found out after crossing the lava field, the mud had not! Observing the fresh tracks, we avoided the deepest mud hole, but spent the next mile or so slithering around the creosote bushes trying to chose which set of mud filled tracks were the best! Just before the end of this "Arizona swamp" (it actually shows green on the topo maps), a SINGLE vehicle was encountered stuck in the mud; the owner was trying to winch himself out with the aid of a hand-powered "come-along" anchored to a creosote bush! He, however, was experienced, a wildlife and environmental resources consultant to Luke AFB, and knowledgeable of the area He had a portfolio of topo maps an inch thick! After the Suburban towed him out, he supplied useful information on the area and the route ahead. Papago Wells was reached in time for lunch and a climb of Papago Peak (2,120'). From there, on recommendation, a much rougher but less swampy alternate route was taken where we saw 4 small pink javalina youngsters and possibly their parents. Camp on the 9th night was made where this route joined the main one. Monday was the nicest day of the trip, and in pleasant sunshine a 12 mile R/T climb was made of the high point of the Agua Dulce Mountains (2,850'). Then, after one last swamp, which was bypassed on a short detour to the south, we reached the border of Organ Pipe National Monument on a much improved road and camped there on the last night. The adventure was not quite over, for while enjoying the last campfire under a star-filled sky., cries for help were heard. Two locals in cowboy outfits were escorted into camp who, after perhaps too many beers at an Ajo cowboy bar, had driven into the desert late the night before without permits, food, water or matches and their truck broke down. They had been walking in cowboy boots since 6 AM that morning and had another 40 miles to go! Water, food and cold beer were gratefully received; they bivouacked around our campfire and were given a ride to Ajo (where they had relatives and friends) the next morning. The remainder of the long drive back to Los Angeles on roads was uneventful. (Barbara & Gordon both have a 12 day holiday Christmas 1985. Anyone interested?) Application for entry permits and other inquiries should be directed to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at P.O. Box 1032, Yuma, AZ 85364 (602726-2619) or P.O. Box 418, Ajo, AZ 85321 (602-387-6483). For information on Luke AFB only (where 4-WD may not always be needed), write to Luke Air Force Range Operations and Scheduling Office, 832CSG/OTS, Luke AFB, AZ 85309 for their "Luke Air Force Range Visit Information Kit".

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