Photos: Armed guards accompany Organ Pipe NM tour
A tour of Quitobaquito Springs in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument south of Ajo is unlike any other in the country. The tour to the scenic and historic section of the park is accompanied by armed security due to smuggling activity in the area. Tours require a reservation.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
The pond at Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Park Service seasonal ranger Sardius Stalker uses a microphone to speak to members of a tour group on the way to Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument outside Ajo, AZ
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
From left, Chief of Interpretation Sue Walter, Marilyn Wall, (back seat), Carl Schorzman and Mona Schorzman, react to a tour guide's comment in a van on the way to Quitobaquito Springsat Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
A National Park Service vehicle makes it's way along the US-Mexico border fence on Puerto Blanco Drive on the way to Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Park Service seasonal ranger Sardius Stalker takes a head count of visitors during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs It was one of many counts during the tour.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
An American Coot waterbird swims in the water during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Hikers follow a path through bushes of orange wolfberries during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Visitors enjoy a story during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs. They are, l-r are Maynerd Wall, Marilyn Wall, Carl Schorzman and Mona Schorzman, all visiting from Idaho.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Park Service volunteer Jim Weber, left, looks out over the landsape as hikers pass by during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Park Service seasonal ranger Sardius Stalker lends a hand to visitor Marjorie Wright, 85, from North Dakota during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs. The group was crossing over the stream that feeds the Quitobaquito Spring lake.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Visitors Brad and Abbie Schrotenboer share a laugh during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Pods cluster on a screwbean mesquite at Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
A pupfish swims in the headwaters of a stream feeding the lake at Quitobaquito Springs.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
A hiker breaks off from the group for a moment from a supervised tour to examine the landscape at Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Abbie and Brad Schrotenboer pass by the grave marker of a store clerk during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs. JosŽ Lorenzo Sestier was buried here in February, 1900.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Park Service volunteers close up ranks, left and right, as hikers make their way back towards vans during a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs. In the background a truck drives along Highway 2 in Mexico.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
A Park Service ranger emerges from the desert scrub following a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Rangers provide constant security as the group makes their way through the tour.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Visitor Maynerd Wall, left, stands with rangers follwoing a supervised tour of Quitobaquito Springs. During the hike four Rangers provided security hidden away in the brush, following the tour as it moved throughout the Springs area.
Touring Quitobaquito Springs
Park Service seasonal ranger Sardius Stalker , second from right, removes his pack follwoing a guided tour of of Quitobaquito Springs at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. At right is one of four Rangers who provided armed security during the tour from hiding places in the brush. Their effort are an attempt to protect visitors without spoiling their experience.
QUITOBAQUITO - It was a tour of public lands with splendid scenery, a glib guide - and lethal firepower on hand just in case.