Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco): Pinacate Biosphere Reserve

For almost 4 million years beneath the earth, hot magma melted rock creating massive subterranean pools of intensely hot liquid slowly building up pressure far below the earth's surface.

This pressure, along with the molten lava following it, finally exploded up through the desert floor, mostly here, but also in other spots all along the way to the shores of Puerto Peñasco that can still be seen today.

Soon, tall mountains were formed that continually oozed lava out from their tops, until one day those 'tops' sealed & hardened from exposure to the air.

The hot magma pools below were still very active, and soon the tops of these local 'mountains' exploded scattering hot lava pieces & chunks, which would soon cool to black rocks, all over the deserts floor.

The 'Pinacate Biosphere Reserve' is unique as one of the few Archaeological & Geological areas in the entire Southwest that remains mostly untouched by human hands, nature or development.

Created here is an area unique in all the world, with it's moon like craters over a mile wide, lava tubes, 'moon-scapes', black pumice soil, cinder cones and sleeping volcano's.

Pinacate's Reserve currently encompasses over 600 square miles, 400 cinder cones caused by 'exploding volcanoes', along with tunnels, ash & rock that can be observed scattered for miles in the area.

Nine massive volcanic craters remain from this time created by these effects & their later contact with water causing violent 'steam explosions' that sent millions of pounds of rocks-debris into the sky.

Currently, the area is 'dormant'.

Little Known Fact: In 1970, the Apollo 14 astronauts trained for their moon landing at Pinacate, as the rough, barren landscape was the closest 'match' they could find to the lunar surface. NASA (and others) have some neat images of the crew trudging around and working with various instruments - while in cowboy boots, natch.

Before You Go:

Check in at the Information Center prior to traveling out into the Reserve. There is no Entrance Fee, but donations are always greatly appreciated.

There are some poisonous animals, snakes & insects in the reserve (rattlesnakes, scorpions, black widow spiders, Gila monsters, etc). Do not disturb the animals, turn over rocks they might hide underneath, or place hands-face-legs into holes or caves. Ask Reserve Staff members for more information on visitors safety.

Don't touch cactus spines, especially Cholla varieties, they quickly attach into skin.

High vehicle clearance is advised, 4 wheel drive recommended but it is not required.

Where Is It?

Pinacate's 'address' is more or less:
Carretera Sonoyta-Peñasco km 52
Puerto Peñasco
Sonora CP Apartado Postal 125

Contact:
U.S. Mail: Fundacion para Conservación del Pinacate, A.C.
P.O. Box 745, Ajo, Az 85321
Tel: (638) 384-9007
E-mail: pinacate@conanp.gob.mx

See also this page (in Spanish), run by CONANP: http://www.conanp.gob.mx/anp/pagina.php?id_anp=30, which lists: Estación Biológica:
Carretera México 8 Km 52
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora
01(638)384-9007

Camping Information

The Reserve offers two campgrounds

El Tecolote-Capacity: 40 people-Location: 5 miles n/e of Elegante Crater-Best for visitors to the volcanic craters & hiking trails

Rojo Cono -Capacity: 20 people-Location: 14 miles n/w of the info center-Great spot for hikers up to the volcanic peaks

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 - Contact the Reserve Director, or call the main number - 011-62-159864

Climate

Annual daily averages range from 65 to 72 degrees, with an average maximum of 118 degrees.

Low temps at night in winter reach 24 degrees.

Geology

Lava & Rocks: Basalt, Vesicles, Pahoehoe, AA, Blocks, Porphyry, Phenocryst, Xenolith, Scoria, Pumice Tephra, Lapilli, Tuff.

Culture & History

Regulations

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 Law.

More information

• Story: Pinacate Desert, via worldsurface.com - one explorer's account of a 2002 camping trip in the Pinacate. Select quote: "Its just a rat, what harm can a rat do?" Hans said. And then it bit him in the toe, and he stopped telling me, 'It's just a rat.'
• maps.google.com has a stunning overhead satellite map of Pinacate. Zooming in for detail shows smoe neat detail, like roads and the almost fractal-like nature of the lava flows.
• Pinacate photos on flickr.com
• Pinacate satellite photo and information from earthobservatory.nasa.gov. (be sure to click for the high res version)

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  Plants & Animals

  Over 560 plant species
  56 mammal species
  43 reptile species
  222 bird species
  4 fish species

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