Picacho Peak RV Resort and the State Park one mile away.

[DonTom]

Without a reservation, much more likely to get a spot for a night or a few here at the 55 or older Picacho Peak RV Resort. Even though "Resort" is in the name, it is not expensive, $45.00 per night if a Good Sam member (I am), $50.00 per night otherwise. But my spot most would think is a lousy one, right next to the garbage/trash dumpsters with people constantly driving up to them and not only noise from the freeway (right next to I-10) but also a very well used train track across the freeway. And even with my poor hearing, it is somewhat loud. But they did tell me when they moved me today so I could stay a couple of more days, that I should check out this spot first. I did, and I decided I can tolerate all of it.

The spot they gave me for the first night was better. But I could only stay there for one night.

They tell me at the State Park expect it to be full at this time of year--every year and every day. However, I must leave this RV "Resort" on Thursday, and I could get a spot for three more nights then at the Picacho Peak Campground on that same day. However, the checkout time here is 1100 hrs and the check in time there is 1300 hrs. But that should not be a big problem if the guy leaves early. Worse case is I will have to wait a couple of hours.

The camp spots are all long, a 40-footer should have no problem, but it looks like most, including mine, is far from being level and I am not sure if it will be in range of my self-levelling jacks, but I should be able to get close enough. I will probably need to use them separately to get this rig level.

The state campground has electricity only (50 & 30-amp, the same as this RV Park) and only non-potable water at the common location dump station near Section "C". The State campground cost $30.00 per night, and they also add a $3.20 "Reservation Fee". Even though I never been at that park, I was in their computer from staying in other AZ Parks, such as Organ Pipe.

For day use, it cost seven bucks just to enter, which I paid today just to check the place out.

For those like me who enjoy desert hiking, the Picacho Peak State Park cannot be beat. Very scenic desert with hiking trials all over the park in perhaps every direction.

Here are a few photos of the Picacho Peak AZ State Park I took today on my motorcycle ride through it:

Down the road, they have a sign like this but with a wabbit instead of a sneaky snake:

 

[Onyrlef]

Without a reservation, much more likely to get a spot for a night or a few here at the 55 or older Picacho Peak RV Resort. Even though "Resort" is in the name, it is not expensive, $45.00 per night if a Good Sam member (I am), $50.00 per night otherwise. But my spot most would think is a lousy one, right next to the garbage/trash dumpsters with people constantly driving up to them and not only noise from the freeway (right next to I-10) but also a very well used train track across the freeway. And even with my poor hearing, it is somewhat loud. But they did tell me when they moved me today so I could stay a couple of more days, that I should check out this spot first. I did, and I decided I can tolerate all of it.

The spot they gave me for the first night was better. But I could only stay there for one night.

They tell me at the State Park expect it to be full at this time of year--every year and every day. However, I must leave this RV "Resort" on Thursday, and I could get a spot for three more nights then at the Picacho Peak Campground on that same day. However, the checkout time here is 1100 hrs and the check in time there is 1300 hrs. But that should not be a big problem if the guy leaves early. Worse case is I will have to wait a couple of hours.

The camp spots are all long, a 40-footer should have no problem, but it looks like most, including mine, is far from being level and I am not sure if it will be in range of my self-levelling jacks, but I should be able to get close enough. I will probably need to use them separately to get this rig level.

The state campground has electricity only (50 & 30-amp, the same as this RV Park) and only non-potable water at the common location dump station near Section "C". The State campground cost $30.00 per night, and they also add a $3.20 "Reservation Fee". Even though I never been at that park, I was in their computer from staying in other AZ Parks, such as Organ Pipe.

For day use, it cost seven bucks just to enter, which I paid today just to check the place out.

For those like me who enjoy desert hiking, the Picacho Peak State Park cannot be beat. Very scenic desert with hiking trials all over the park in perhaps every direction.

Here are a few photos of the Picacho Peak AZ State Park I took today on my motorcycle ride through it:

View attachment 178136View attachment 178137View attachment 178138View attachment 178139

Down the road, they have a sign like this but with a wabbit instead of a sneaky snake:
View attachment 178140View attachment 178141

I can see where snakes could under estimate the speed of a vehicle and try to beat it out.

 

[SMR]

It was 30 plus years last time I camped there, beautiful park enjoy your stay.

 

[DonTom]

It was 30 plus years last time I camped there, beautiful park enjoy your stay.

My first time here.

Picacho Peak State Park is less than 40 miles north of the Gilbert Ray Campground (by road) and a similar type of area.

-Don- Picacho, AZ

 

[SMR]

Our view, we are at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park in Waddel.

 

[DonTom]

I can see where snakes could under estimate the speed of a vehicle and try to beat it out.

I have seen several coachwhip snakes (a very fast & common desert diurnal snake) cross in front of cars on highways and make it. I have also seen a few road kills that didn't make it.

On the road that goes to Big Bear Lake in CA, I lost count how many coachwhips I saw cross the road at high speeds, all in the same summer day. At least a dozen in several miles. That was back in the 1980's, while riding a motorcycle. I have not been in that area since then, but I assume that area still has many coachwhips that can be seen on a warm summer day, if not too hot.

-Don- Picacho, AZ

 

[DonTom]

I went to the south section of this RV park (Picacho Peak RV Resort), and it sure looks like they will soon have this park about three times the size it now is.

I see the AC pedestals installed just about everywhere in different directions on the south side of this park:

-Don- Picacho, AZ

 

[PancakeBill]

Heading to Q tomorrow, probably stop at Saddle Mtn dispersed. We'll wave.

 

[DonTom]

Heading to Q tomorrow,

Have fun in all that dust!

-Don- Picacho, AZ

 

[DonTom]

This RV "Resort" sure wants to make sure we all can get enough exercise. I took a late afternoon hike past the area where they are making new sites for RVs to the hiking trail. The name of this trail is "Exercise Trail". They also have a "fitness trail". Take a short hike on it and find all types of exercise things in case the hiking isn't enough. Here are some of the photos I took there today (continued on the next pages):

The Picacho Peak RV Resort RV Area can be clearly seen from here:

 

[DonTom]

Continued from previous post:

 

[DonTom]

Continued from previous two posts

But if you need to take a break:

But if you do not want to hike, bring your own golf cart:

I leave here in the morning. I have a whole mile to drive to get to the Picacho Peak AZ State Park!

-Don- (my last night at the Picacho Peak RV Resort)

 

[DonTom]

I am now at the Picacho State Park. Sure is more my type of place than the RV park. Only electricity at the sites. Most sites are far from level, but this one is still within range of my auto-levelling on my levelling jacks.

Nice quiet ham radio location too. I am listening to the 18 MHZ band and I am hearing mostly around Africa (such as Saint Helena Island) and very strong.

I am not even going to bother to unload my motorcycle here. I will hike to every place I want to go to from here.

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

 

[DonTom]

It's a one-mile hike from the RV area to get to the hiking trail area. There is a trail right next to the road to get all the way there.

Here are some photos of today's hike:

The one-mile trail from the RV area to the main hiking trail at the very end of the park. The trail to the main trail is right next to the main road:

Looking east:

One of the group tent areas:

The north side of Picacho Peak:

On the way to the peak, there are stairs at various places to prevent slips:

 

[DonTom]

Today, I hiked around 8 miles, round trip. From the sign below, it is 2.5 miles to the parking area (that I didn't use) and from there another mile back to my RV. So that is seven miles, and I went at least another half mile past the sign below before I chickened-out and hiked back. I didn't make it all the way to the top of Picacho Peak. I chickened-out in the last half mile or so.

They say this is a difficult trail. But that is an understatement. It starts out very easy but the last half mile is extremely difficult and dangerous. I am into hiking, not mountain climbing!

See the photo below:

Look to the right of the cactus and a little below on the top of the above photo. Look closely and you will see two rods (there are about 8 total which are blocked by the plants). Those are the rods which have a cable between them to hold onto to continue on this trail. Almost vertical. When I saw that, I decided "a man must know his limitations" and I decided to chicken-out. BTW, I hear past that point it even gets worse. The so called "trail" is progressively worse as it gets closer it is to the peak. Not worth the risk, IMO.

For those who want to try it, I have several suggestions (I was not prepared for this type of hike):

1. Bring at least 8 bottles of water in a backpack I only brought four and ran out of water on the way back).

2. Bring gloves to hold onto that cable.

3. Bring some junk food (you will work up a big appetite). And two important rules, eat even if not hungry and drink water even if not thirsty) on these types of climbs. That can prevent fainting where it can be deadly.

4. Start the trip early, like 0900 hrs (I started at 1030 hrs and was starting to get dark by the time I got back).

And all the normal stuff, large hat, sunglasses, etc. If extra hot bring an umbrella (IOW, bring your own shade, you won't find much of it out there).

I didn't have the gloves or required water to continue. When water is around 50% gone, it is time to go back!

I will soon post some photos of the opposite side of the peak. The stuff we can only see by hiking. Much better scenery than anything seen from the road.

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ

 

[DonTom]

Here are a few photos of the area that cannot be seen from any roads. The are behind Picacho Peak, must hike a couple of miles to see any of these areas below:

A shaded place to sit behind this sign if not used by other Saturday hikers at the time (1.25 miles from the Sunset Trailhead):

The opposite side of Picacho Peak looks like:

I have heard of Service Roads, but this is the first time I recall seeing a "Service Trail":

-Don- Picacho Peak State Park, AZ (I leave here in the morning).

 

[Wasillaguy]

Arizona State Parks are now $50/nt, plus $3.50 processing fee.
We love Picacho, but that's spendy for electric only. Before we'd stay 2 or 3 nights. Not any more.

 

[DonTom]

Arizona State Parks are now $50/nt, plus $3.50 processing fee.
We love Picacho, but that's spendy for electric only. Before we'd stay 2 or 3 nights. Not any more.

Perhaps that means they will no longer all be full all winter long.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[JudyJB]

Picacho Peak SP is one of my favorite places--quiet and scenic. They have had problems with their water for the past three years. Their well became salty, but they are working, and supposedly almost finished with a system to remove the salt so they will have potable water. In my case, I can bring a full tank and have enough water to do dishes, flush the toilet, and take showers for three days there, so that is OK. I have several errands I have to run while in Tucson, and am headed to southern California and then north to join my kids and grandkids in southern Oregon for a few days.

Wish I could hike, but at my age, I am limited to flat walks. Would have been nice if I could have started traveling earlier in life, but what I do is still a good life.