· Sandhill Crane

Orient Mine

Aliases: Major Creek Trailhead

The Orient Mine near Valley View Hot Springs is home to a summer colony of an estimated 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, which stage an impressive out-flight from the mine entrance every evening. You are likely to hear poorwills and Canyon Wrens calling during the bats’ daily exodus. There is no charge for viewing the bats, but there is a charge to use the hot springs. A moderate 1.5-mile hike to the bat cave takes about an hour. The property contains numerous other remnants of the area’s mining history and has a fascinating geology as well. For more information, see www.olt.org.

County: Saguache

Habitat: Pinyon-Juniper Forest, Scrub Oak Forest, Aspen Grove

Directions: To get to this area, head east on CR GG from US 285 just north of its junction with CO 17. This intersection is twenty-five miles south of Poncha Springs and twelve miles north and east of Saguache.

Delorme: 70 C4
Roads of Colorado: 119 D2

Dates of Access: Summer
Hours: Any
Ownership: Private
Admission: Camping fee

Restrictions: For information about viewing the bat flight, email info@olt.org. Note that the hot springs, which you must travel past to get to the bat cave, is clothing optional.

Parking: Various
Lodging: Cabins, tent and vehicle camping (fees)

Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: None

Latitude: 38.1924988
Longitude: -105.8158435

» Visit the website for Orient Mine