CERRO PINACATE ROUTE INFORMATION

Driving from L.A.: Take US Highway 99 south to El Centro, then east on US 80 to Gila Bend, Arizona. Turn south on Arizona Highway 85 to Mexican border. Cross border and continue south on Mexican Highway 8. Alternative route: From EL Centro drive south, across Mexican border to Mexicali. Drive east on Mexican highway 2 to junction with Highway 8. This route is shorter but roads are poorer. Mileages on Mexican Highway 8:

0.0 Hermosillo-Puerto Penasco road junction (Mex, 2 & 8). Drive south toward Sonoyta on Mexican Highway 8. 0.2 Slow entering town of Sonoyta. Last available gasoline between Sonoyta and Puerto Penasco. Carry good water from the States. 0.9 Immigration check station (remain in cars). Visitors pass needed at this point, best obtained at international border. 10.9 Adobe house (ready for occupancy - low rent). 11.4 Three of the largest cacti native to the area grow in this vicinity. The organ-pipe cactus has close fluting in contrast to the senita cactus which has wide fluting:, Sahuaro cacti are abundant. 13.5 First clear view of Pinacate Mountains at 2:00 o'clock (direction). Road descends at about 40 feet per mile from 1,200 feet. 30.7 First of two bridges over Sonoyta River. SLOW. Prepare to turn right. 21.2   Turn right on to un-improved dirt road past 2nd bridge.

Un-improved dirt road: 13.9 miles drive from paved highway to roads end. Ordinary cars with low clearance can make it, although rocks must be removed from the road at times and cars are bound to take some abuse. Help will not be available in the event that a car breaks down; Two or more cars should travel together. Plan your trip to Cerro Pinacate during cool weather and when the desert is most apt to be dry. At 3.3 mites from the paved highway there may still be a meager sign pointing right toward Los Vidrous; This is also the route to Elegante Crater (if the right roads are taken thereafter). Climbing Cerro Pinacate: The obvious high point seen from roads end hides the true summit. The route is strictly class one and stays well below and to the north of the false summit. This will avoid steep side-hilling and make the climb much more gentle. Immediately upon leaving roads end on foot, a lava flow must be crossed. The only other problem is Cholla cacti. The round trip to the summit, including a brief rest, takes about five hours (at a leisurely pace). It is a 6 to 7 miles round trip with about 2500' gain. Other information: Fire wood is available at roads end. Expect to drive about 1,000 miles round trip from L.A. No Less than four days should be allowed for this trip including a side trip to Elegante Crater. The Sonoran Desert in the Pinacate area is especially prolific and unspoiled. Truly the area is of greater interest than the peak and time should be taken to enjoy it leisurely.

Compiled by: B.B-V.J.-G.S.-B.B

A LEGEND OF THE PAPAGO INDIANS

"Elder Brother" (The creator of the Papagos) lived in Baboquivari before he came to Pinacate. At that time there were many people in Pinacate. The mountains were very high then, and the sun used to set soon after it had risen, so the days were very short. Elder Brother saw that this did not suit the people, so he decided to Lower the mountains. He built two fires, where the two peaks are found today, making fire by drilling one stick into another. The wind blew the ashes about to all parts and made the mountains lower, covering the country so as to look as seen today. After that the people lived contented, and there was not so much shade from the west.

B.&B.B.

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