Petroglyph Mine - Hillsboro, New Mexico USA

The Petroglyph Mine just outside of Hillsboro, N.M. has been featured in several magazines recently , including the March/April 2006 issue of Rocks & Minerals.

My little black dog Inu and myself spent the night there last night in our teardrop trailer so that we could search for fluorescent rocks after dark.

The petroglyph mine is located at approximately 32.93319N, -107.54436 It is named the petroglyph mine because there are three archaic petroglyph sites nearby.

A high clearance vehicle is an absolute necessity on this dirt road, and 4 wheel drive certainly makes life a little more comfortable.

This area is at about 5,500 feet above sea level and is well away from any cities. So the air is clean and there is no light pollution. The stars were unbelievable last night. After the moon set the Milky Way was very clearly visible. I mean just totally obvious! I don’t think I have see it that well since I was a child more than 50 years ago.

To get there you take Highway 152 approximately 2.3 miles east of the general store in Hillsboro, and turn right (South) on the dirt road which is 0.6 miles east of mile marker 50.

Be certain that you close the gate behind you.

Go down through the gulley and up the hill. The mine and its mine tailings are on the right just next to the road, maybe 150 meters up the hill.

Highway 152 is visible from the mine.

While we were waiting for it to get dark enough to begin searching with the battery powered UV light a deer ran past.

This area is extremely productive for glow rocks. It would be easy for me to use too many superlatives in describing how great this place is.

There was massive calcite which fluoresced in bright red all over the place, some very bright green fluorescing willemite, and lots of minerals that I have not yet identified. Including some with beautiful blue veins.