Victoria Mine

Odometer 60614
Tripmeter- resting


Hiking in the Organ Pipe National Monument

Joan and I were looking for a short hike to take that would have great scenery and would also show us a little of the history of the area.  What better location than to take a hike to an old abandoned mine in the Organ Pipe National Monument (OPNM).
The weather in this corner of Arizona has been unseasonably warm for this time of year.  Whether that is from natural cycles or global climate change we'll leave to the experts- we just know that it going to reach temperatures in the 80s today.

We drove 12 miles south of Ajo on AZ highway 85 through the town of Why, AZ and into the National Monument.  Why Why?  Well the town does have an odd name, and the explanation is an interesting one.  The townsfolk wanted to call the town "Y" because Highway 86 "Ys" off from Highway 85 right in town center.  According to legend, the State would not allow a town name of less than 3 letters- so in disgust,and a little irritation, the folks submitted the name Why- still pronounced the same, but with a different spelling.

A coyote looks ready for a hand-out at the local Texaco Station

We turned off into a Texaco station in Why because a coyote ambled across the road in front of the car and looked to be heading for the gas pumps!  It let us drive up fairly close to take a picture, so we assume he or she gets frequent handouts there.

We continued on another 18 miles to the Monument's Visitors Center and  the Twin Peaks campground where the trail begins

Trail map for the south part of the Organ Pipe

The hike to Victoria Mine and back is not a particularly long one, but with the high temperature and the desire to linger at the mine to take photos, we think this will be perfect.

Saddling up for the hike

I always take my day pack with me, even on shorter hikes for several reasons.  The number one reason is that the hydration bladder in it allows me to take up to 2 liters of water with me, I like to have a margin of safety.  The other reasons are first aid kit, protein bars, signal mirror, space blanket, I could go on- sorry it's the boy scout in me.

Joan on the Victoria mine trail

We set off on the well marked trail from the campground heading west and a little south through the creosote brush and Palo Verde trees.  We have been walking 3- 4 miles everyday in town so were not intimidated by this "walk in the park" even if it was 80 degrees and no shade!

Trail improvements keep erosion down

Stone steps

This is a well maintained trail with erosion controls and stone steps on the steeper  inclines.  The trail crosses a quite a few washes (dry stream beds)  so there is a fair amount of up and down slopes.  The Park staff and volunteers have made these well constructed stone stairs, not only to make it easier on those of us hiking, but also to manage the erosion that happens when rain water cascades down the trail to the wash below.

Surviving Structures at the Victoria Mine

Bat Habitat

Joan and I enjoyed wandering over the site of the mine, trying to imagine how it would have looked back in it's glory days.  The shafts have been covered with steel bars to keep out would-be explorers, but space was left between the bars to allow bats to come and go as they please.  The one 'building" that is still standing is a small rock and mortar building which is one room about 16 feet square.  The roof is long gone, and the floors are hard packed clay.

A large cast drive wheel

It is difficult to imagine the effort (and expense) it took to commission the casting of these large pieces of machinery, have them brought to a rail siding and hauled by mules and wagons, many miles over this rocky and unforgiving terrain.  The pieces had to be set on foundations and assembled in place, adjusted and maintained.  After our hike in here we appreciated what a colossal task it must have been.

The Author

We brought a picnic lunch with us, and ate lunch as we took in the surroundings.  Hard work by some incredibly rugged individuals.  The "La Americana" mine was owned by Cipriano Ortega in the 1880s and in the 19 years that he owned it, nearly $80,000 dollars worth of silver was mined here.       

The mine was purchased by Milul Levey a US businessman in 1899, and renamed the Victoria Mine.  Levey managed to extract a further $40,000 dollars worth of silver.   Levey was eventually frustrated by the high water table in this area!  The technology and equipment was too expensive to follow the silver veins very far below the waterline, and the mine was eventually closed.  In 1976, the designation of a wilderness area in the Organ Pipe National Monument closed the area to any further mining.

Joan checks out one of the trail side benches

Green colored sedimentary stone

I noticed that the ground in some areas had a very distinctive green colorization and on closer inspection, the reason for the color was this green colored stone.  These green stones were in limited areas and stood out from the normal beige color of the rest of the area.

Very unique fountain at the Why Not Travel Store

On our way back to Ajo in the car, we stopped at The Why Not Travel Store and checked out this beautiful rest area.


Your Traveling Friends

Jeff and Joan