875 January 14, 2023 Victoria Mine Trail

As we were enjoying our coffee, we were serenaded by a lone coyote singing from somewhere beyond the RV park.

I took just a short 1 ½ mile walk this morning down another country road east of the highway.  No intimidating dogs today to scare me off.  I only walked a short distance because we were planning to hike today.  We drove south to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

We had researched trails and had chosen the Victoria Mine Trail; rated an easy to moderate hike with relatively little elevation change.  We talked with a ranger at the Visitor Center and he gave us good information.  We found the trailhead and set off.  Tim hikes like a mountain goat and for a while I had some trouble keeping up.  The ground was uneven loose gravel and rock strewn.  I was using my hiking poles and choosing my footing carefully.  There were rock steps leading into the washes and then back out. 

We hiked the two miles to the mine site.  We met a 76-year-old ex-marine named David.  He had passed us on the trail.  He is in great shape and walks at least three miles every day.  He was a nice guy and he was fun to talk to.

After touring the abandoned silver mine we hiked a short distance further and then decided to forgo the additional 2 mile hike to the Lost Cabin.  We turned back.

We could see a portion of the border wall.  We estimated that we were about 3 miles from Mexico.

The desert was green and beautiful.  We didn’t see any wildlife.  It was cloudy and a little cooler today than it has been this week which actually made it a good hiking day.  We finished the day after 4 ½ miles.  Hiking is a lot different than walking and my legs were tired!

We did see this black water bottle that was likely left behind by someone who had entered the country illegally.  People crossing choose to use these dark bottles because they are less visible than clear or white bottles.

We drove from the park to the Mexican border 5 miles away at Lukeville.

We got back home in early evening.  I’m proud that I am able to walk each day and that I can hike without getting out of breath.  I would like to feel more confident and I hope that I can increase my speed as we get out there and explore more trails.