Ajo Range

Ajo Range
Ajo Range Location of Ajo Range in Arizona
Highest point
Peak	Mount Ajo
Elevation	4,808 ft (1,465 m)
Dimensions
Length	37 mi (60 km) N–S
Geography
Country	United States
State	Arizona
Region	Sonoran Desert
Topo map	USGS Mount Ajo

The Ajo Range is a remote and rugged mountain range located in southern Pima County, Arizona, in the southwestern region of the United States. The range is situated within the northern reaches of the Sonoran Desert and forms part of the broader Basin and Range Province.

The Ajo Range extends roughly 37 miles in a north–south direction, forming a prominent linear feature in the desert landscape. It is bordered by the Little Ajo Mountains to the north, the Childs Valley to the west, and the Valley of the Ajo to the east. The range lies just east of the western boundary of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and is partially within its protected area.

The highest point in the range is Mount Ajo, which rises to an elevation of 4,808 feet (1,465 m). Mount Ajo is also the highest point in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and is known for its steep, rocky terrain and wide-ranging desert views.

The Ajo Range is composed primarily of volcanic rocks, including rhyolite and andesite, dating to the mid-Tertiary period. The rugged relief is the result of extensive tectonic activity associated with the Basin and Range extension.^{[citation needed]}

The range is part of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and supports a diverse array of desert flora and fauna. The protected status of the adjacent Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument has helped preserve populations of saguaro cactus, organ pipe cactus, ocotillo, and various desert shrubs. Wildlife includes bighorn sheep, javelina, Gila monster, and many species of reptiles and birds.^{[citation needed]}

The Ajo Range is largely undeveloped and difficult to access. While there are no paved roads into the heart of the range, several dirt roads and hiking routes approach its edges from Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Mount Ajo is a popular backcountry hiking destination for experienced hikers seeking solitude and panoramic views.^{[citation needed]}

- The town of Ajo, Arizona lies approximately 10 miles north of the range. - The Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge is located to the west. - Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument lies to the south and southeast.

• List of mountain ranges of Arizona
• Little Ajo Mountains
• Sonoran Desert
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument – National Park Service
• Ajo Range – Peakbagger.com