Gerino was the the Roy Rogers look alike who was to take us to La Ciudad de Las Fantasmas. He was pleasant enough but soon it was evident that he didn't know a massive amount about the place,, just enough to fake it in front of two ingenues. At any rate he knew the way to the Ciudad de Las Fantasmas. We started climbing on Calle Constitucion slowly at first enjoying the views as if it were a promenade but soon the road got steep.The road is walled for part of the way and occaisionally there were old doors that allowed the miners access to homes or to the mines themselves.
This was one of the most memorable walks I have taken in Mexico. Something about the crispness of the edges of every image and the loftiness of it all.
Giant Joshua Tree towards City of the Ghosts
Towards The Ciudad de Las Fantasmas
Towards the City of Ghosts
One of the doors along the route to La Ciudad de Las Fantasmas that allowed miners to pass
Company Store or Pay House (Casa de Raya
Roy Rogers on the old road posing. The view is towards Real de Catorce
Gerino in the maw of a mine in La Ciudad de Las Fantasmas
Building in La Ciudad de Las Fantasmas that housed a large steam plant.
La Ciudad que era.
Ciudad de Las Fantasmas
Ciudad de Las Fantasmas
Nice Arch or what is left of it, looking towards Real de Catorce.
Dynamite Shed
Remnants
More Remnants
Nopales are reclaiming the terrain
This is a ventilation shaft that is almost 1000 feet deep. Gerino stood over it on some rusty angle iron and dropped a stone. It was maybe 6 seconds before it hit bottom. I was half on the edge and more than half on the apron. This hole gave me the jibbies.
A couple of horse's asses enjoying the view.
This is a short mine shaft paralell to the ground. Light from the exit is visible.
The return.
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