Organ Pipe National Monument Part Two - Victoria Mine Trail

Victoria Mine Trail is an easy 5.2 mile trail located in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  

Organ Pipe National Monument

Victoria Mine Trail is an easy 5.2 mile trail located in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The trail begins at the south end of the campground, located about 1.5 miles from the Visitor Center. It is a very well-marked trail. You will see creosote bush, greasewood, cholla, ocotillo and palo verde trees and saguaros and an Organ Pope Cactus or two. You will run into occasional drops into washes. Looking around, you can see the distant crest of Pinkley Peak to the north and of the Sierra Cubabi across the Mexican border and the Sonoyta Valley.


Victoria mine is the best-preserved historical structure at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. During its 40 years of operation, it produced more than $12,000 worth of gold, silver, and copper. Victoria Mine is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as one of the oldest prospecting sites in southwest Arizona.

A stand of Organ Pipe Cactus with a Saguaro

Ocotillo 

Teddy Bear Cholla is a safe place to build a nest.

She Is Out Of The House

 I am out and roaming southern Arizona!

Since I am attempting to blog while on my phone I have no idea how this will work.  Last night was my first night out and I slept like a baby.  I woke up at my usual time, 4 a.m. it was 40 degrees so I just snuggled under my blankets with a book.  Later I played my flute and meditated   This is the most relaxed I have been in a month   Right now I am just relaxing   Tomorrow the hiking will begin   

I have been asked about having no heat when I travel.  I never sleep with a space heater on or a propane heater in a small space.  

I was living in a small - itty bitty apartment in Springfield MO with my then two-year old son, James.  He slept in a bedroom- I was on a couch.  There was a gas leak during the night.  My friend called me early (thank goodness) and James answered the phone.   He told her mommy won’t wake up.  We were both hospitalized. Had a three or four day migraine.  We both suffered from severe headaches since.   Mine has diminished over time.  I am terrified of that happening again.  

Detectors are a crap shoot.  In my little truck camper, it would go off if my dog farted.  So I bundle up.   When you wake up to this...  it is so worth it