OVERLANDING TO FIND GIANTS OF THE DESERT

 

GIANTS OF THE DESERT: OVERLANDING TO FIND THE SAGUARO CACTUS

Magical Mysteries on the Arizona Strip

By Del Albright

While overlanding across the rugged and remote trails of the Arizona Strip, I had the unforgettable chance to come face-to-face with some of the desert's most iconic residents—the Saguaro Cactus (Carnegiea gigantea). These towering green giants are not just plants—they’re legends.

The Saguaro is native to the Sonoran Desert and is found mostly in southern Arizona and parts of California and Mexico. But in the vast, open, and beautifully barren landscape of the Arizona Strip—especially near routes like the Camino del Diablo—you’ll find these cacti standing like silent sentinels of the desert.

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A Closer Look: Strange Shapes and Long Lives

One of the highlights of my journey was spotting a particularly twisted Saguaro—its arms looping and curling like desert sculpture. Every arm tells a story. Did you know it can take up to 75 years for a Saguaro to grow its first arm? Some of these beasts are over 150 years old, soaking up the sun, storing water, and surviving heat waves, drought, and monsoon winds.

These unusual shapes are often the result of frost damage, genetic quirks, or damage from birds and insects. Whatever the cause, the result is always worth a second look—and a few photos.

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Overlanding with Giants

The Arizona Strip is perfect for overland travel. Rough trails, historic routes, and breathtaking views make it a four-wheeling and camping paradise. And when you throw in some massive Saguaros towering beside your Jeep or military trailer rig, the experience gets even better.

📸 Tip: If you’re running the Strip, keep your eyes peeled near wash areas and hillsides for the tallest and oldest Saguaros. Sunrise and sunset give the best lighting for photos—casting long shadows and bringing out those cactus ridges in full contrast.

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Respecting the Desert

Saguaros are protected under Arizona law—and for good reason. They’re slow growers and serve as vital homes for desert birds like woodpeckers and owls. When overlanding, let’s keep our recreation sustainable by staying on designated trails, packing out all waste, and giving these desert icons the respect they’ve earned over the centuries.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an overland traveler, a desert lover, or just someone chasing open skies and dirt roads, the Saguaro cactus is one of the most awe-inspiring sights the Southwest offers. It’s not just a plant. It’s a pillar of desert life, and every twist and turn in its arms is a reminder that nature is the best artist of all.

More on Arizona Strip Overlanding here: 

https://delalbright.blogspot.com/2025/03/jeep-overlanding-arizona-strip.html

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MORE HELPFUL LINKS:

DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)

WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)

PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)

 More land use and volunteerism help here:

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#landuse #stewardship #conservation #motorizedrecreation #jeep #jeeplife #volunteerism #volunteers #leadvolunteers #delalbright #BuiltOnBFG #cloakedrepublic #savetrails #leadership

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JEEP OVERLANDING THE ARIZONA STRIP

OVERLANDING THE ARIZONA STRIP

PUTTING THE METALCLOAK 
ADVENTURE RACK SYSTEM TO THE TEST!

By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate

The high desert blossomed with colorful plant life as I entered the Gold Butte National Monument outside of Mesquite, NV, overlanding my way to the back side of Lake Mead. While the whole trip was beautiful, I have to admit that the variety of events was exceptional. “Jumping” cactus (cholla) threatened to stick me or stab me at every turn. Beavertail cactus,  alive with purple flowers, forced me to stop and take way too many pics. My back was sore at the end of the day, as some of the roads in my JK were pretty bumpy. And, my goodness, the views were incredible.

I was out to achieve a few things on this adventure: 1) give my JK relatively new suspension a workout on desert roads; 2) fine-tune and test the Adventure Rack System for overlanding; and 3) see some new high desert scenery. I found the suitable terrain to accomplish all three.

Gold Butte is part of the Arizona Strip, along with Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The “Strip” is that section of AZ lying north of the Colorado River with the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, creating a physical barrier to the rest of AZ. The nearest big city is St. George, UT.

My trip started in Mesquite, NV (not far from St. George), a much cheaper town to stay in and get fuel/supplies. We aired down just off the pavement out of Mesquite and found a comfortable 18-20 psi for heavily loaded rigs.

“Lady J,” our 2014 JKU Rubicon, is fully set up for overlanding with the Adventure Rack System (ARS) and Metalcloak Game Changer Suspension on 35-inch tires. We stayed with 35’s as the JK gears are only 4:56 (with a stock motor). As much as I wanted 37s, I know that would have turned the Jeep into a slug.

I was with a few friends, and we were all anxious to see what was ahead of us. We chose to enter the Monument on the Limekiln Road/Canyon, which had some wheeling obstacles right off the bat. Now, remember, the JKU is a bit new to me (an old TJ guy), and I must say how impressed I was with the suspension handling and “crawlability,” even though I was overloaded for overlanding!

I found myself using the 6-speed automatic transmission in manual mode a lot. Based on advice from other JK owners, I was also always in 4-wheel drive (high or low) the entire trip, with the sway bar disconnected. I made a concerted effort not to lug the motor and always have good throttle control in the right gear.

COOL STUFF TO SEE

Here are some of the cool places/sites to see.

Whitney Pockets: These are sandstone formations that pop out of the earth like something from another planet. Wind erosion has shaped these rocks into weird “creatures” of nature. We found tinajas (water pools) up in the rock mounds, and we had beautiful views of the surrounding desert.

Little Finland: Also called ‘hobgoblin’s playground” and “Devil’s Fire,” is a fantastic strangely-shaped red rock formation consisting of the weirdest erosional (wind) fins in the Aztec Sandstone and some fossilized sand dunes. Camping is okay near the formation, but hiking is permitted only up the rocks.

 7 Key Holes: While not technically a slot canyon, this formation sure feels like one. It’s about a one-mile round-trip hike from the parking lot, but well worth it. Geologists call it a “joint” or “fracture,” which divides two large rock masses in the Aztec Sandstone with a hollowed-out bottom (perfect for the short hike up into the keyholes).

Scanlon Ferry and Dugway: This adventure is 18 miles of trail dying from neglect, but fun as heck! Washouts, tight turns, and falling boulders in the road make it a bit of a challenge for bigger rigs (like JTs) on the dugway section. The dugway is a section of the road dug out of the cliffs, and it descends through Gregg Canyon on the way to the shoreline of Lake Mead. I would not do this road in less than 33-inch tires with a limited slip. A rear locker is even better for the trip back out (yes, it’s an in-and-out adventure).

What got my attention was knowing that horse-drawn buggies and mule-drawn freight wagons used this same road in the late 1800s to early 1900s.

Lakeside Mine: Also known as the Lakeview Mine, it operated in the 1930s, 1940s, and some in the 1950s, producing copper, gold, and some silver. It’s a beautiful 4x4 road up the mine off the main canyon floor.

CAMPING and GEAR

Every night, like any good overlanders, we moved and re-set camp. I was in a tent with a lightweight aluminum cot and slept like a baby. Springtime temperatures were in the low 80s during the day and 50s at night.

The ARS rack held my spare gas (yes, we needed 20 gallons in reserve to make this trip), along with four bundles of firewood and a storage box of spare fluids and emergency supplies. The rack and basket performed flawlessly and made the trip so much more convenient. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the JKU is set up with the ARS Metalcloak Rocklander Hinge Steps that provide a foothold while loading/unloading the rack. My other foot rests entirely on the Metalcloak Overline (hi-clearance) rear fender flare. This combination makes the roof rack completely accessible and useable. I was impressed and happy with the whole setup.

MORE HELPFUL LINKS:

DEL'S BOOKS (LAND USE, WILDFIRE, DEATH VALLEY, COWBOY POETRY, AND MORE)

WEBSITE (HOME PAGE)

PINTEREST (BOOKS, ARTICLES, AND MORE)

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

DEL'S ARTICLES (LAND USE, LIFE, WILDFIRE, VOLUNTEERISM, AND MORE)

 More land use and volunteerism help here:

• MEETINGS:
• RUN A BETTER MEETING
• NEPA: 
• LEARN MORE ABOUT NEPA
• LETTERS: 
• WRITE A LETTER
• SPEECHES:  
•  GIVE A SPEECH
• FACILITATE: 
• LEARN TO FACILITATE MEETINGS
• CLUBS:
• WHY JOIN A CLUB
• CONVOYS:
• ORGANIZE A CONVOY
• JOIN:
• JOIN THE RIGHT GROUPS
• TRAINING:
• GET VOLUNTEER TRAINING
• LEAD:   
• LEAD VOLUNTEERS
• JOBS:  
• CHOOSE THE RIGHT JOB FOR YOU

AMERICA'S BACKCOUNTRY TREASURES LIKE THIS 200 YEAR-OLD CACTUS

 

TREASURES ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THIS GREAT COUNTRY

By Del Albright

A few years ago, Stacie and I had the pleasure of 4x4 touring the rugged beauty of Arizona with our good friends Bob Levenhagen and Mary Wendt Levenhagen. One memory that still sticks with me is standing beside a towering, iconic saguaro cactus—an absolute giant of the desert. These natural monuments are just one example of the many backcountry treasures waiting to be discovered across this great country.

Did you know a saguaro cactus can live up to 200 years, grow as many as 25 arms, and tip the scales at 6 tons? It’s a living legacy of resilience and survival in some of the harshest terrain imaginable. And it reminds me just how vital it is that we protect the natural and cultural wonders we encounter on the trail.

From the deserts of Arizona to the alpine lakes of the Sierra, the historic mining roads of the Rockies to the deep conifer forests of the Pacific Northwest—there are treasures around every bend. But these places don’t stay pristine by accident.

Here’s the deal: We need to enjoy the outdoors while leaving it better than we found it.

• Park responsibly and don’t block roads or access points.

• Stay on designated trails to prevent erosion and habitat damage.

• Pack out everything you bring in—and then some.

• Respect seasonal closures and local wildlife.

• And most of all, remember we’re visitors in these wild spaces.

Getting outside is good for the soul. It clears the mind, lifts the spirit, and reconnects us with what really matters. So I encourage you—grab your gear, load up the rig, and get out there. Explore, discover, and breathe in the fresh air of freedom. But do it with care, so the next generation can find these same treasures and feel the same awe.

Let’s be the kind of explorers who give back as much as we take in.

See you on the trail,

Del

TAP Tour (TAPT) Update September 25

AZ and NV Clubs and Friends,

Update on the Del & Stacie Albright Trail Access Partnership Tour (TAPT) to Southern AZ/NV in November.

JOIN US for the fun, the adventure and the landuse!

Our TAP Tour will take us from SEMA to Hump ‘n Bump in Logandale, NV, to Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City, AZ, then to Parker AZ for Desert Splash with the Parker 4Wheelers. PLEASE consider this an open invitation to join us physically or virtually.  We’ll be blogging and posting up on Facebook and blogs our entire Tour, website here at http://www.trailaccesstour.com/

Rick Pewe from Petersen’s 4Wheel & Offroad will joining us on the Tour and covering the adventure.  We are teasing Rick that this might be the Ultimate Adventure of Landuse.  (smile).  Denis Snow of Off Road Adventures (ORA) Magazine will also cover the story.  ORA as you know is the magazine of 4Wheel Parts.   Both these editors/publications are huge supporters of landuse and keeping our outdoor sports alive.   

We will have some awesome business partners joining us along the way, and at the organized events: T&T Customs; Nemesis Industries; Trail-Gear; Daystar; Olympic4x4 Products; Raceline Wheels; GenRight Off Road; Dave’s Customs Unlimited; and others…

Our first real stop is to cruise SEMA most all week, the hit Hump ‘n Bump with the Vegas Valley 4Wheelers on Thursday night, to run their organized trails Friday and Saturday. 

Sunday we will mosey down to Bullhead City, AZ, to stay a couple nights in the Mojave County Parks Davis Camp RV Park (hopefully space C2). Sunday and Monday nights are “open campfire” time where we can hook up, talk landuse, talk about saving your trails, learning more about AZ issues, whatever comes to mind.  We are YOUR BlueRibbon Coalition reps, so bring us the “news” good and bad.  Let’s work together to see what BRC can do more for you.  We will be doing some local area sight-seeing and area orientation as well.

Tuesday afternoon we’ll pull into Lake Havasu City, AZ (looking for an RV park for the night) and have another “open campfire” where ever we are.  Wednesday we’d like to spend time with local clubs and folks who can get away from work to tell us about the area and what BlueRibbon Coalition can do to keep this awesome area open.

Wednesday night we’ll pull into the La Paz County Park in Parker, AZ to prep and get ready for the Desert Splash with the Parker 4Wheelers the rest of the weekend.

At both Hump ‘n Bump and Desert Splash we will have a BRC booth, so please join us at these great events and support the clubs, as well as BRC.

Hump n’ Bump Registration and Information: http://www.vv4w.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&id=3&Itemid=4

Desert Splash Registration and Information: http://parker4wheelers.tripod.com/desertsplash.html

After Desert Splash, we will work our way home!

TO FOLLOW ON BLOGS: visit Del’s Blog at http://delalbright.blogspot.com

Stacie’s Blog:  http://staciealbright.blogspot.com

Please email if you have any questions or suggestions.  This will be epic!

Del & Stacie

www.delalbright.com

BlueRibbon Travels and Southwest Crawlfest

Reporting from the road -- we are in Las Vegas today, headed over to King of the Hammers shortly.
In the meantime, we have to report that this new event we attended, Southwest Crawlfest, was an absolute four-wheeling DREAM.  We had a ball, gained several new BlueRibbon members, hooked up with great folks, talked trail-saving by the hours, and found some marvelous trails.

The trails wove in and out of red rock domes like you find in Moab, UT.  In fact, in many ways this place rivals Moab.  Plus it's a State Park OHV Area with tons of obstacles and trails to challenge all types of rigs.

The event started Friday am with a driver's meeting, safety briefing, and introductions.  I heard there were 320 rigs signed up that were spread out over 11 trails.  AWESOME.

 Big Sarge was there for Utah 4Wheel Drive Association along with other members.  Many land use groups were there as well, because the Crawlfest donates most all their proceeds to help keep our trails open.  Another AWESOME.  BlueRibbon Coalition is one of their primary recipients of donations. 

The trails offered runs for everything from SUV to buggy.  It was a blast for sure with beautiful weather.

You can see the trails were mostly up on the red rim rocks above Warner Valley outside St. George, Utah and just spectacular scenery.

After Crawlfest we moved over to Kanab, UT to link up with some BRC members and members of the Canyon Country 4x4 Club who built Hog Canyon OHV Trail System.  We got snowed out of seeing very much of the trail, but had a lot of fun getting out in the area and visiting with the local folks.

We did manage to get in a quick trip to Page, AZ to see a slot canyon.  Enough said.

Next stop, Hammertown for King of the Hammers.

Del