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GARNA is organizing a tour to the Orient Mine cave to watch the colony of migratory bats fly from the mine at dusk. The Orient Mine is located on the Orient Land Trust (OLT) and Valley View Hot Springs property, approximately 11 miles SE of Villa Grove in the San Luis Valley. The closed Orient Mine has been the home to nearly 250,000 migratory bats for the last 40 years. The Orient Mine is also home to five or six populations of hibernating bats. The OLT will provide us with a guide, as we hike 2 miles to the bat cave opening called The Glory Hole to witness the mass flight exodus of the bats at dusk over the San Luis Valley. The hike is on fairly level ground for the first 1 ½ miles and the final 1/2 mile is up a steep incline on uneven terrain. The total hike is 4 miles.
Please note: Valley View Hot Springs (located on the property) is a clothing-optional facility. Participants may experience nudity with the guide and/or hot springs guests therefore this trip may not be appropriate for all age groups.
The group will meet in Poncha Springs at 4:30 pm to carpool and caravan to OLT’s Welcome Center outside of Villa Grove. The group should return to Poncha Springs at approximately 10:30-11:00 pm. We will ask for volunteer drivers; others please plan to chip in for gas.
The cost of the trip is $12 for GARNA members and $15 for non members and the fee includes a donation to the Orient Land Trust. Pre-registration is required. Sorry, this trip is full! Please email the office to be placed on the wait list.
Many GARNA programs require a Liability Release Form be filled out each calendar year.
Your registration is secured upon receipt of payment, as long as there space is still available in a program. If you prefer not to register online (recommended), you may mail a check, made out to “GARNA” to the address below or stop by the office. Please include a note with the program you are registering for. Be aware, some programs sell out quickly, and we cannot confirm your spot with a mailed registration.
PO Box 1522
Salida CO 81201
Cancellation policy:
If we are notified of your need to cancel by 24 hours of program date, your program fee will be refunded except for a $3.00 administrative fee. No refunds within 24 hours or after the event (but most events are transferable). If minimum enrollment has not been met 2 days before program date, programs will be cancelled and we will refund the full amount.
