Travel to the southwest

[dinesh.godavarty]

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I am flying into Tucson on 20th Dec and will be returning on 1st Jan. I am trying to camp as much as possible.</p>

<p>Here are the possible places I have shortlisted</p>

<p>a) Organ Pipe cactus natl. monument - AZ<br>

b) Guadalupe mountains natl. park - TX<br>

c) White sands - NM<br>

d) Mojave desert - CA<br>

e) Anza Borrego desert SP - CA<br>

f) Joshua Tree Natl. park - CA</p>

<p>I know that I do not have time to see all of them. So will pick and choose depending on the weather.</p>

<p>How do you guys rate these places? Any other place in southern CA,NM, AZ that I shouldn't miss?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

[mark_schafer1]

<p>I also like the airplane "grave yards" around Tucson. And if you have a rainy day check out the Center for Creative Photography on the University campus, the most overlooked photo attraction in the Southwest (the hold for example the entire archive for Amsel Adams and Richard Avedon, just to name 2). The there is the Mision San Xavier, a quick side trip...<br>

As for parks, Organ Pipe is just outside the city (so is the Desert museum), i personally like Joshua tree (the North west corner) and on the way you could stop at the Imperial Dunes outside of Yuma and The Salton Sea in Southern California.<br>

But do check on maps as the distances are rather far and make sure you have enough water if you get stuck...and let somebody know about your plans, some areas are somewhat deserted...</p>

[dcstep]

<p>You can't go wrong at any of those.</p>

<p>If you go to NM be sure to include Bosque NWR. To the North, Taos and the mountains are great. Depending on your transportation and time, you might venture into Southern Colorado and venture up to Valley of the Dunes.</p>

<p>If you go to Texas, then take in Big Bend and Fort Davis. Up in the Davis Mountains you'll find the McDonald Observatory which has incredible "star parties". The Milky Way is painted so thick across the sky there that it's hard to see the Big Dipper in all the stars. You'll cast a shadow on a moonless night. You can even identify super novas with the naked eye. This is the time of the year to be there, it's way too hot in the summers.</p>

[greg_campbell1]

<p>In and around Tucson:<br>

Pima Air and Space Museum. With or without the Boneyard Tour, depending on your interest in old dusty airplanes.<br>

Sabino Canyon. A VERY pretty ~4 mile hike. You can also take a tram from 9 till 4, or so.<br>

If you haven't experienced the Sonoran Desert, visit Tucson Mountain Park (from downtown, drive W. on Speedway to the spectacular Gates Pass area) or either section of Saguaro National Park.<br>

Tour the Catalina Highway as it climbs to the summit of Mt. Lemmon. Several improved (fee) campsites at various elevations, as well as plenty of primitive/disbursed sites scattered among the forest.<br>

Apart from the Center for Creative Photography, there is also the Tucson Art Museum. Through February, they're displaying a collection of work by some patzer named 'Adams.' Those big gallery prints are sublime.</p>

<p>Not too far from Tucson:<br>

Chiricahua National Park. On the way to NM. Hike among the armies of hoodoos. Barring storm damage, you can take the well maintained (dirt) Pinery Canyon / Portal Road across the mountains, from Chiricahua to Rodeo NM. Camping at the park, or along Pinery Road.<br>

Kitt Peak Observatory. Free self guided tours and a magnificent view of the surrounding desert. On the way to Organ Pipe.<br>

Titan Missile Museum. Push "The Button!" ~30 miles S of town in Green Valley.</p>

<p>Far, far away:<br>

White Sands is fantastic. No camping at the monument, but several options nearby.<br>

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. On the way to Ca. Fantastic desert mountain range. Plenty of hiking and primitive camping options.<br>

Hitting Mojave, Anza B, and Joshua Tree may be overkill. Each area is certainly unique, but they also have much in common. </p>

[corbin]

<p>Why not stay around Tucson, there is so much to see. Beside what Greg and Mark mentioned (and I would not miss Saguaro National Park West), you can drive south to Nogales, then East to Bisbee, north to Tombstone, with a lot of attractions and scenery along the way. When you get back to I-10 from Tombstone, you're not that far from the Chiricahua Mountains.</p>

[charles_stobbs3]

Sonora Desert Museum, just west of Tucson, Santa Fe is great, (but far). This - http://www.desertusa.com/ - may be of help. Good luck.

[acjtucson]

<p>From Tucson you will be about 6 hrs from White Sands and then 6 hrs from Joshua Tree in the other direction. I think you have enough time to do both. Know it will be COLD at night. You'll easily see temps in the 30s and possibly the 20s if there is a cold front. I suggest you book over to White Sands and camp 1 or 2 nights. You can camp in the dunes. There is an area of Primitive campsites about 1/3-1/2 mile hike from the campsite area parking lot. First come first serve. Sign up at the Visitor Center for the closest one. That time of year you'll probably have the whole area to yourself. They set it up so that you cant see the other campsites from your site. They are separated by dunes. On your drive back to Tucson, drive through the Animas Valley in NM "Bootheel" area. Beautiful. Chiricahua Mountains are near there and have some very cool rock formations and hiking. In Tucson area I recommend you camp in Saguaro NP. Organ Pipe is beautiful as well but we could go on and on about safety concerns there. It is a popular area for drug smuggling. There have been no reports I know of about photogs or hikers being waylaid. But, I know some more senior Border Patrol agents who think I'm an idiot for going out there hiking around by myself taking photos. That includes some places 20 miles in from the border as well. They are quick to remind me that a lot of the violence that goes on along the border does not get reported in the press for 1 reason or another. From Tucson area you could head West to KOFA Wildlife Refuge. It is off the beaten path and beautiful. They have some gravel roads and you can basically just pull over and put up your tent. From there, Imperial Dunes(consider skipping if you go to White Sands-maybe just a driveby) and Joshua Tree are fairly close by. I think Anza Borrego offers more diverse scenery than Joshua Tree. If you have never been out there, you may want to spend 2 days in each. You have enough time to have a blast out there. <br>

Stay Warm.</p>

[craig_gillette]

<p>One thing to consider is the level of facilities you might want/need for your camping. Joshua Tree, as an example, has established campsites but the only water available in the park is at some of the entry points. There is no water, no showers, etc., at the established campsites. Other areas also would require you to be completely self-sufficient. Are you planning to rent a vehicle, camping gear, etc., or bring it in with you? As others have noted, freezing or sub-freezing temperatures are possible in some of these areas. </p>

<p>I'd also suggest being wary of potential safety issues near the border. My daughter and the almost in-laws spend a fair amount of time in the Glamis area driving in the dunes, as do many others, and there is a noticeably high visibility of the Border Patrol in the general area. There is a lot of drug and people smuggling going on in some areas so sticking to established areas for camping, etc., seems like a good idea. Besides the listed parks, check the Bureau of Land Management, they have a lot of land in that area and winter "snowbird" camping isn't unusual so they will have info on locations, etc.</p>

[dinesh.godavarty]

<p>Ugh. I was a bit concerned about being so close to the border. Now I guess I will avoid the organ pipe then. I did call up the park and asked them about potential concerns and they said it's really safe! I wonder if I should call again and get a second opinion.<br>

Let me keep doing my research and finally decide on where to go.</p>

[frank_b._baiamonte]

<p>I can't help much with the TX and NM areas, but I am somewhat familiar with Joshua Tree and Mojave, and know Anza Borrego pretty well. The CA deserts should be quite beautiful that time of year, but it will get a bit chilly at nigth (probably below freezing at Joshua Tree, close to that in Mojave, and in the 40's at Anza Borrego. </p>

<p>If you have a 4WD with reasonable ground clearance (ie an SUV or truck vs something like a Subaru) there are some really nice trails you can explore in Anza Borrego. Some of them are probably best done with another vehicle along for safety, but some, like Blair Valley (high clearance 2WD is actually fine for this one) or 17 Palms Oasis are close enough to the road that you can walk if you get into trouble. Another really nice trail is Fish Creek to Sandstone Canyon. It's a little longer, at 14 miles to the turn around point, then back out the same way you came in, but there is often a fair amount of other people out there in case something happens. Sandstone Canyon has some really narrow spots that are kind of fun to drive (and walk) through. This spot is about 13.5 miles from the nearest pavement.<br>

<img src="http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Explorations-Day/Old-Kane-Springs-Sandstone-Cyn/IMGP0015/534487118_QjjHw-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>If you get out to the Mojave Preserve, I've heard that the old train station at Kelso has been very nicely restored into a visitor center and museum. If you go to Joshua Tree be sure to check out the Integratron for something completely different. It's in Landers, not too far at all from the Park.</p>

<p>It probably goes without saying since you mentioned camping, but be sure to carry plenty of water and food, blankets, etc, and at least a shovel or something to help dig yourself out should the need arise. </p>

<p>If you do wind up going to Anza Borrego feel free to check with me. I spend a lot of time out there in December, in fact I'm leading an Xterra Club trip out there on Dec 19th. I may be able to meet you out there and show you around. If you want to see what some of the different parts of the Park look like you can check out the various galleries on my SmugMug site, both in the SCCX section and the So Cal Explorations sections, both at: frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com</p>

<p>One other thing that is fairly new in Borrego Springs (the little town surrounded by the Park), is the installation of various sculptures on land owned by Dennis Avery. The land is open to the public, you can even camp on it at no charge for up to 3 days. These sculptures started out as being of the various prehistoric creatures that roamed the area, now there are also some of the modern animals as well. One of my favorites is Mom and Baby Giant Sloth, with Dad Sloth off in the background. These are made of sheet steel that is tack welded and allowed to rust to form a patina.</p>

<p><img src="http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/So-Cal-Explorations-Day/Borrego-Springs-Sculptures-II/IMGP0125/698986490_Hz2sC-L.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Have a great trip, there is so much to see out here.</p>

<p> </p>

[gordon_lukesh1]

<p>Try to Window Rock AZ. I have a picture on RedBubble. From there seek out Canyon de Chelley and then on to Monument Valley. </p>

<p> Gordon</p>

[greg_campbell1]

<p>LOL, Gordon. Heading north to the Redrock Strip opens up a HUGE can of worms! :)</p>

[michael_dimarzio]

<p>White Sands is ok, but I guess I'm just not into bleak (to me) dunes.</p>

[greg_campbell1]

<p>Strangely, despite living here for some time, I've never visited Sabino Canyon in December. I went today and was VERY impressed. A number of the canyon's trees still have colorful leaves on them, last week's rain has re-animated the creek, and winter's afternoon sun shines directly into the canyon. Throw in some colorful geology and the canyon is prettier than anything else in the Tucson area.</p>

<p>Arrange to arrive at the top of the canyon around 1 or 2. You can hike the ~7km mile trail (elevation gain of a few hundred meters), or take a shuttle to the top. Then take your time hiking down along the meandering creek. The light will be pretty and the scenery is as good as you'll find in Southern Aridzona. If you're getting tired, the last shuttle starts down at about 4:30, shortly before the light starts to go.</p>

<p> </p>

[dinesh.godavarty]

<p>Hey, thanks so much for all that info guys! I will take a printout of this page and will follow my mood and see what happens!<br>

Thanks again!</p>

[mountain]

<p>I second David on Bosque. This is prime time for Geese and Cranes so if you have to choose, I would skip White Sands. Hit up youtube to check out some video of Bosque or search for stills, I really think it is a magical place.</p>

[aaron l]

<p>You're really trying to cover a LOT of ground in that time. Although you can, you'd be better off to get more time out of 1 or 2 states.<br>

If you are in Guadalupe, it would be a shame to miss Carlsbad Caverns. You could really spend your entire time in NM and see an amazing list of things. That is true with AZ and CA as well. Do you want to spend more time seeing or driving? <br>

You can easily spend your entire trip in AZ. Look up the national park system map, buy a pass and endeavor to see everything in NM or AZ. That will keep you more than busy and you won't regret it.<br>

Actually, I really liked White Sands, plus the museum was very interesting as well. </p>