Santa Rita Mine: Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, New Mexico

SIDE TRIP 4 is an easy few miles along a paved highway. Take Highway 152 west at the junction of Highway 35; you'll backtrack to this junction and take Highway 35 north to continue the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway. The road on this Side Trip is a state-maintained highway with two 12-foot-wide paved driving lanes and some nice scenery. Safety conditions are good for the posted speed limits. The Santa Rita Mine overlook will come without warning on your left.
The area of the SANTA RITA MINE (also called the Chino Mine) was first worked by the Mimbreno Apaches prior to the 1800s, and the deposits were a principle source of copper for the Mexican mint until 1845. Today, the Santa Rita is one of the world's largest open pit mines. From the large parking area at the mine's viewpoint, turquoise and red tiers stretch down for over a quarter of a mile; giant earthmovers on the haul roads look like miniature toys. Note that there is no visitor's center or facilities of any kind at the viewpoint - just a really big view of a really big hole.
	Please note that there is no gasoline available on the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway west of Truth or Consequences / Williamsburg and Elephant Butte. This is the majority of the Trail, which runs through some very remote countryside. Fill your tank before you leave! Gasoline is available on Side Trip 5; or, if you choose to follow the Alternate Loop, gas is available at Silver City. Please also note that bridges between Caballo and Hillsboro bear twelve-foot, six-inch height restrictions; and the Forest Service advises not only that trailers over twenty feet are unsafe on Forest Development Road 150, but that low-clearance / non-four-wheel-drive vehicles travel that section of the Trail at their own risk.
What's on the web about Santa Rita - The Mine and The Town?
(This will take you to our Links page.)
Next stop on the E-Tour: the town of San Lorenzo...
	Enjoy the nature, history, and culture of southwest New Mexico - but don't disturb the natural, historical, and cultural sites. Do not remove, destroy, or deface anything on any site; strict laws protect artifacts on State, Federal, Indian, and private lands. Buying, selling, trading, or transporting these stolen items is also illegal. Please report looting and vandalism to federal land management authorities or the local sheriff. Hide all traces of your travels as the Apache hid their passing so these wildlands may remain unspoiled, the historical sites may remain true to their history, and the developed sites may remain clean and pleasant. Thank you.