Don't understand 'El Pinacate reserve' concept at all

Ever sense I started visiting Penasco, local people would talk about El Pinacate and now with recent events giving even more glorification to that place, I really don't see why all the hype.
1. It is the harshest and driest part of lower sonoran desert but it is not unique, lower sonoran is a large desert.
2. Very low quality habitat and very fragile habitat for any wildlife, so it is not that the place is thriving with different wildlife that you can't find in other parts of sonoran desert.
3. Black volcanic rock is different and the spot can be seen from space, ok.
4. There is a crater or few of them, ok.
5. It is supposed to be some sort of a reserve for flora and fauna but not much of a reserve if people keep hiking there stressing out the very fragile habitat.

If I was to take a portion of Sonora and reserve a part for wildlife it would probably have to be the 'upper sonoran' desert in the state. It has the riches variety of flora and fauna.

"This place is the antithesis of a tourist trap. It’s the kind of place that draws extreme adventurers like astronauts needing a place to train in lunar-like conditions. But in these seemingly desolate, pockmarked surroundings, Pinacate is booming with biodiversity. Fringe-toed lizards skim the sizzling sand and the Costa’s hummingbird braves the desert to suck from native, nectar-filled ocotillo plants, alongside close to 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, not to mention over 500 plants. In fact, the area gets its name from the foul-smelling Pinacate beetle." (Discovery Channel)

Adventurous spirits will want to start their trek to Pinacate from its sister park at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona, where the staffs of both parks keep a protective eye on the Sonoran pronghorn."
Estella, as you can see the place is thriving with live however as in any desert that gets hot you only see the fauna at dusk or dawn, unless it is not summer, you should visit the park on February or March or any time before it gets hot and you will be amazed of what you'll see

When I guide my groups into the Pinacate they are all amazed by it. It is totally a special place. It may not fit your idea of a park and that's OK, I have never heard a negative comment about the trip. I suggest a visit may change your mind.

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The land is a sacred place for the Tohono Oodham people who have lived in this area for thousands of years and still do. This place goes way beyond what a park is, it's history is rich!

They also educate lots of people about the region - kids come here from all over the State to learn about this unique biosphere. It is truly a great place.

It is a very special place, I love the contrast of colors there.
The stark environment is brightened up with the occasional color burst of red, yellow and orange from what was blooming.
I've been to the volcano summit 2x and loved riding my quad's in the dunes. (did it without trashing anything).

Last time to the volcano peak on a Memorial day weekend 10 years ago it was 90 degrees (9AM) at the entrance,
when we got to the summit it was already 115+ degrees that really surprised me.
I would hate to be in there during the summer months. The black lava and sand really absorbs the heat. I bet it would be 130-140 degrees.

I am glad they are protecting it, but miss the quad riding in the sand dunes.

I suspend my tours to the park June July August and September because of the heat. To me the idea that animals and plants can live there at all is a testament to the value of this place.

Some people just can't see beauty in that kind of thing. Seeing those pictures makes me want to take a trip out their next spring.

one of The Homeport flacks pretending to be a reporter dreamed of a zip line in there...

I've been out there, Melissa. It's soooo beautiful.....

I go out there once or twice a year and it is a different experience each time. In the spring after a wet winter it is unbelievable. To scientists and geologists it is one of the most exotic and diverse bio systems on the planet.

Add to all of the above....Tomorrow night Friday May 23rd 2014 we will be going out to the visitors Center to experience the new meteor shower. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/05/22/first-ever-meteor-shower-may-burst-into-meteor-storm-friday-night/
I am taking my van and have room for only 10 people at 25 usd per person. It will fill up fast so send me your email [email protected] to reserve, only 10 sorry, byob, wine beer, soda no problem. No light pollution, no stress just lots and lots of stars

I wish I was down there for this. Please let us know if they'll be doing anything similar in the future.

It ain't Central Park in NYC, that's for sure. Personally, I'm glad it's not! But, I'm all about all things desert. Was fascinated with it as a child growing up in PA. It speaks volumes that Mexico recognizes such an important heritage and bio-diversity to preserve the place for future generations.

mexicoruss said:

Add to all of the above....Tomorrow night Friday May 23rd 2014 we will be going out to the visitors Center to experience the new meteor shower. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/wp/2014/05/22/first-ever-meteor-shower-may-burst-into-meteor-storm-friday-night/
I am taking my van and have room for only 10 people at 25 usd per person. It will fill up fast so send me your email [email protected] to reserve, only 10 sorry, byob, wine beer, soda no problem. No light pollution, no stress just lots and lots of stars

Some day, I would love to bring one of my many telescopes and do some viewing from there, it is really dark there.
I won't be down until late Sat. so maybe next time.
Have fun Russ.

brokenwave said:

Some day, I would love to bring one of my many telescopes and do some viewing from there, it is really dark there.
I won't be down until late Sat. so maybe next time.
Have fun Russ.

I try to have fun all the time, thanks!

Russ you will be hustling for a buck until the end.Why not take a break and go out there in peace.On your death bed you might remember this as one of the greatest things you ever viewed.

You miss the point for me Jerry. I do this so others can experience the experience. This is something that many probably would not do on their own, they should but they don't. I love showing off a different way of doing things. I charge for it so there is ownership in the experience. If money was the end all I couldn't do it. I can and do this sort of stuff all the time, I want to encourage others to do the same, maybe the first time they need a guide, the second, probably not. Viva life, viva experience, viva Mexico!

I've been going to RP for many years, I even built a house in Cholla, I will definitely do one of
Russ's tours, sure beats buying my 20th grain of rice with my name on it.

How was the meteor shower Russ? We got up early in the morning in Penasco(2 am) on Saturday, and I only saw one meteor.

It was not very good on Friday but I have a friend who is sending me pics from Saturday which he said was pretty cool

They opened a new information center in Old Port so hopefully more people will be aware of its beauty.

http://rockypoint360.com/pinacate-info-center-opens-in-old-port/

From Rocky Point 360: http://rockypoint360.com/mariana-seoane-and-julio-camejo-pick-puerto-penasco-to-promote-video/

Singers Mariana Seone and Julio Camjo visited Penasco to promote their music video. I think people from Arizona are used to the desert so may not see the beauty in Pinacate, but people from other parts appreciate "its desert and the grandness of its landscapes."

Here's the article:

Singers Mariana Seoane and Julio Camejo visited Puerto Peñasco last week to present their music video “De Rodillas te Pido”, bringing together regional press from across northwestern Mexico and Arizona at an event sponsored in conjunction with the local Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Convention Center at Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort was the setting where, after a stint on the red carpet, Mariana Seoane along with the Cuban born actor/singer Julio Camejo and video producer Ernesto Fundora presented their clip of Pepe Sosa’s song “De Rodillas te Pido” (I beg you on my knees). The artists had selected Puerto Peñasco as a strategic point to launch their video in this part of the country, as well as into Arizona.

After gathered press watched the video, the singers responded to questions from various media outlets including those of TV Azteca, Televisa, Telemundo, and El Imparcial, among other companies offering national coverage both locally and abroad. A lively cocktail evening ensued after the press conference, where Seoane and Camejo also took the opportunity to share the song live from the stage.

Seoane expressed thanks for the invitation to come to Puerto Peñasco, where in fact she’d like to return for a Project in the future. She also reminisced about her first visit to Puerto Peñasco about 15 years ago.

“I love Puerto Peñasco, its people, and how we’ve been treated. I’ve had the chance to go to the beach and take photos with anyone who would ask; hopefully we can return,” shared Seoane.

Julio Camejo, who also served as executive producer of the joint video, remarked the launch of this video was made possible through solely independent investment and it showcases cultural elements of Veracruz and various locations while also promotes different corners of Mexico.

The singer proclaimed what he liked best about Puerto Peñasco is its desert and the grandness of its landscapes.

“I was also here a number of years ago and I love it; along our trip by road (after flying to Mexicali) we stopped in various spots to take pictures; it’s all up on our Facebook sites, Instagram and Twitter so all can see,” explained Camejo.

Filming of the videoclip, directed by Cuban producer Ernesto Fundora, took about three days and is currently being promoted across the country.