 Location
The entrance to El Pinacate is 31 miles west of
Sonoyta, Sonora, on Highway 2. If you're approaching
the park from the United States, be sure to visit
the Organ Pipe Visitor's Center on the Arizona
border for up-to-date information.
The Pinacate Reserve and the Altar desert Reserve
are less than a day's drive from the U.S.-Mexico
border. Together, the two contiguous reserves
protect the sea, coast, and inland desert. El
Pinacate stands out for its easier access as well
as because of its incomparable beauty ness.
The geography of this reserve contrasts sandy
beaches with rugged volcanic structures. This
volcanic field is named after a local species
- a beetle that when threatened emits a stinky
odor.
Altitude
The elevation of the entire area rises from 656
feet to 3956 feet.
Surface
& Limits
The Reserve area is 2758.92 Square miles, and
the Area of El Pinacate is of about 880.748 Square
miles (228,112.75 hectares)
To the West and Southeast of this reserve, is
located another natural reserve that protects
the High Gulf of California and the Delta of the
Colorado River. To the North is limited by a U.S.
military training base named, the Barry M. Goldwater
Bombing Range.
On the Northeast side is located the Organ Pipe
Cactus National Monument which is administrated
by the U.S. National Parks Services of the Interior
Department.
Communities located inside within this natural
reserve: Plutarco Elias Calles, Puerto Peñasco
and San Luis Río Colorado.
Climate
The yearly average temperature is around 50°F
to 73°F, with an average maximum of 118 degrees.
The annual rainfall is of less than 200 millimeters
a year. This region’s temperature is among
the highest for the Northern Hemisphere.
Expect very extremely high temperatures in the
summer-(Late April to September) Temperatures
may reach 120 degrees
Low temps at night in winter reach 24 degrees
History
Mexico declared this area a biosphere reserve
in 1993 at the urging of Ezekiel Escurra, then-director
of Mexico's protected areas.
The authority in charge of the Management of this
reserve is the IMADES (Mexican Institute of Environment
and Sustained Development for the state of Sonora)
an institution created in 1996 as the result of
a merger between Sonora's Center for Investigation
and Development of Natural Resources and the Sonora
Ecological Center.
El Pinacate and the Upper Colorado Gulf in the
Sea of Cortez were jointly declared natural reserves.
One of the reasons was to protect the vaquita
and totoaba (endangered marine species).
In the recent years, there is also the presence
of a highly commercial fishing industry that grows
dramatically in the middle portion of the Sea
of Cortez. By protecting the breeding grounds,
officials hope to be able to sustain future marine
production and the ecosystem balance.
Flora
El Pinacate and the Great Altar Desert are made
out of xerophilic vegetation, although perhaps
in some restricted areas you can find hard wood
trees, mesquite trees and maroon bushes.
Her you can find around 500 plants species
Wildlife
The main wildlife includes deer, antelope, wild
boar, the Gila monster, pronghorn, quail, bighorn
sheep, red-tailed eagle and puma.
Visitor notes
There are few paths in this region and you can
climb on the volcanic cones to observe the craters.
You are urged to travel with someone who knows
the region or hire an experienced guide and explore
the area in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, as the
roads are not in good conditions.
Guide information can be obtained through the
visitor's center. Be aware that this area is uninhabited
and presents many dangers. Make sure you bring
along extra water.
Attractions
“El Elegante” is the most visited
crater. It takes a two to three-hour hike to reach
the crater, and the path is well-marked. There,
the view is simply awesome. The crater is 4,600
feet from rim to rim and about 458 feet deep.
There are three main mountain peaks: El Pinacate
Peak (with an altitude of 3956 feet), Carnegie
Peak and Middle Peak, which together form the
Santa Clara volcano. These three peaks where responsible
for the biggest outpour of lava ever in this region.
Here, the area has more than 400 volcanic cones
of different sizes and structure. The whole region
is characterized by a shortage of rainfall, high
temperatures in the summer accompanied by intense
solar rays, low relative humidity and high evaporation.
Interesting
facts
Some of these lava fields were used to train U.S.
astronauts heading to the moon during the Apollo
space program.
Travel
Tips
There is no water available
in the reserve. Bring a lot!
You have to check in at the Information Center
prior to entering into the Reserve. There is no
Entrance Fee, but donations are always greatly
appreciated.
Danger: There
are some poisonous animals, snakes & insects
in the reserve.
Bring your big Truck (Not required but useful)
Camping
Registration for all camping is required at the
Reserve's Information Center
The Reserve offers two campgrounds El Tecolote
and Rojo Cono
- El Tecolote
Capacity: 40 people
Location: 5 miles North East of El Elegante
Crater (Stay here if you want to visit the volcanic
craters and hiking trails.
- Rojo Cono
Capacity: 20 people
Location: 14 miles n/w of the information center
(Best place for volcanic peaks hiking)
Backcountry Camping: Limited to 3 per party.
Campsite must be 1/2 mile from any road or crater.
With advance approval groups with scientific/academic
purposes may be allowed to camp in other areas.
Please contact the reserve at the phones below.
Regulations
- Firearms are prohibited in the Reserve
- Open Fires are prohibited
- Rocks, minerals, artifacts, etc. are protected
items and may not be picked up, moved or removed
from the Reserve
- By law, no plants may be collected, removed
or harmed in any way
- Take out all your trash-litter is strictly
forbidden
- Vehicles must not leave the roads, and travel
only on the public roads.
- You will be held liable for any damages caused
by your vehicles tires leaving the roadways
- Wildlife can not be harmed, or bothered in
any way. Hunting, collecting or disturbing animals
in any way is illegal and protected by Federal
Mexican Law.
Pinacate Biosphere Information
The Pinacate Reserves Information Center is on
Highway 8, at the 52Km, just 32 miles south of
Lukeville, Arizona.
Contacting the reserve Office:
Phone: 011-62-159864
Fax: 011-62-146508
Address:
Apartado Postal No. 125, Puerto Peñasco,
Sonora, Mexico C.P. 83550 |
