Journal Hafner, H.S. 1977 En Route: Boca del Monte, Puebla to Pachuca, Hidalgo, Més. 14 August (cont) We stopped at noon in Puebla to view the Choluta ruins west of town - not very spectacular after seeing Monte Alban. We bought some inexpensive wooden barrels, then returned to Hwy 150 D. At Los Reyes (just east of Mexico City), we drove north to Pachuca, Hidalgo, arriving approximately 1500. We continued north of Pachuca into the Sierra de Pachuca where we searched for several hours for Thomomys signs. The valley near the small town of Real del Monte appears to be completely void of gophers, the soil being hard-packed and much of the area being planted in Agave. The town of El Chico, located on the NW slopes of the Sierra de Pachuca, is likewise void of Gopher signs. (These 2 towns are both known Thomomys localities). No habitat that we searched appeared even suitable, under present conditions, for Thomomys habitation. 2000 we returned to Pachuca, ate dinner, then drove out of town on Hwy 85 where we camped (alongside the road) for the night. Very cool, humid night. We were rather disappointed not to have located these gophers said to inhabit the Sierra de Pachuca.