Hard rock miners were an industrious and inventive lot. Nowhere is this more evident than in the crumbling ruins of the Cinco Señores and Socorro haciendas along a mountain stream that runs between Yavesia and Amatlan in the region of the Pueblos Mancomunados in the Sierra Norte mountain to the east of Oaxaca city. These ore processing mills operated from the early 1720’s until they were severely damaged in the Mexical Revolution about one hundred years later. Most of what remains is part of the Cinco Señores mine complex that stretches for a 1.8 miles (2.9 km) or so along the stream. The most impressive ruins still standing are the aqueducts and the mill structures that once held massive water wheels (some vertical, some horizontal) which powered the mines’ production facilities. There are also a number of charming arched stone bridges spanning the river. At the Socorro site there are remains of numerous buildings, including the parish church. In addition, there are some mine tunnels that can be partially explored. These are not ancient ruins, by any means, but are fascinating nevertheless for the insight they provide into a bygone era.
Time frame: 8:00 depart Oaxaca / 10:15 arrive Lachatao / 11:00 start hike / 12:30 lunch at mine ruins / 2:00 leave Lachatao / 4:00 return Oaxaca.
