Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) - Mexico

The maximum depth of the Sea of Cortez is roughly 10,000 feet. Located in the southern portion, particularly in the Guaymas trench, the deepest parts are caused by complex plate tectonics.

Site #193

Site #193

La Rancherita

Diablo Mountains Highpoint - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

I started this hike up to the Diablo Mountains Highpoint at 9:01 AM. The off trail hike took me 1 hour and 35 minutes to reach the 3,372-foot summit. It was 1.2 miles from my car. I got back to my car at 12:16 PM.

North Fork Alamo Canyon - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

This was my second time hiking North Alamo Canyon to the Grass Canyon divide. The first time I went up and over the Grass Canyon divide for a loop hike. I began my hike at 7:59 AM. After 22 minutes I completed the mile hike on the maintained trail to Alamo Canyon. From there I entered North Alamo Canyon. After 1 hour and 32 minutes I was at the junction of the side canyon leading up to the Grass Canyon divide. I was 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Elevation was 2,854 feet. At 11:32 AM, I was on the divide. The side canyon was 0.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 913 feet. From the saddle I headed up the north-south ridge. The ascent was solid rhyolite. It was 11:50 AM, when I was on top of the ridge, and I was 3.4 miles from the trailhead. The elevation was 4,080 feet. At noon, I headed back down. I reached North Alamo Canyon at 1:08 PM. Then I finally arrived at my mini van at 2:42 PM.  My hike was 6.7 miles round-trip and it took me 6 hours and 41 minutes.

 

Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) - Mexico

I again camped at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument for two nights at site #193. The campground was nearly empty.

This time I timed my trip to Puerto Peñasco for high tide in the afternoon to avoid stingrays. But first I went to Playa Cerro Prieto (Black Hill Beach) to check out the low tide in the morning. I walked about a half mile out in to Choya Bay without the water going above my ankles. My hike was 1.9 miles round-trip, and it took me 1 hour and 34 minutes to walk out on the tidal flats.

Next, I went to CEDO (Center for the study of Deserts and Oceans). After that I went to Playa Hermosa to go swimming for the afternoon. It was a little past noon when I arrived, and the tide was coming in quickly.

In the evening I went out to dinner at El Buzo (The Diver) Seafood and Beer. The meal was excellent and and reasonably priced, and had bottled water.

Site #193

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Playa Cerro Prieto

Choya Bay

CEDO

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa

Playa Hermosa

Site #193