Shaft at Victoria Mine Shaft at Victoria Mine

We started our final day at OPCNM with a fun morning hike to Victoria Mine, getting a surprise look at a certain wall we’ve all heard of.

The image above is one of the former shafts (we think) that is now a protected gateway for local bats. The mine was about a 2 mile hike from the campground through more beautiful desert terrain.

View into Mexico View into Mexico

We extended the hike a bit to bushwhack up a local hill top to get a bigger view. It was magnificent, though marred by the black streak of a wall to the south. Reminded me of being in Palestine.

Julie with fancy rocks Julie with fancy rocks

Spotted a few cool birds, but most exciting were the quartz rock varieties scattered near the mines. Julie claims to have found some scattered with silver and gold flecks.


Now we are in Yuma to escape the overnight freezing passing through much of Arizona and New Mexico. The trade off was arriving in the middle of a wind and dust storm. At least we can hide in the van.

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