Living Our Dream: Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

We have visited many Ancient People's structures/dwellings/pueblos over the years but we wanted to visit Gila Cliff Dwellings because the information said that this monument is unique - 80% of the structures we were to see are original, dating between 1276 and 1287. The caves that the dwellers lived in were only occupied for a little over 20 years, and by 1300 the Ancient Puebloans moved on, historians and archeologists do not know why or where they went to. Information points to the people probably moving down into Mexico.

Road got pretty twisty - top speed sometimes was 20!

And narrow

At headwaters of Gila River - eventually flows to Yuma, AZ

Game hunting is very popular here

Half the fun of getting to the Monument was driving there. The distance was only 44 miles from Silver City but we were warned that it would take over 2 hours. We traveled through the Gila National Forest, driving along the Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway. Beautiful! The road narrowed down and had no markings but it was still a nice drive. Only had 2 people come past us as we traveled north. We both felt we could not live in those mountains, if there was a fire - be very tragic. Cute little towns along the way, did not see any deer or wildlife, but we were watching just the same.

Geronimo was born in this area

Ranger to warn us of difficulty if go to left on trail

Crossed over the West Branch of the Gila River (pic from footbridge)

Big decision - go left and climb or go right to gradual hike (no steps)

Decided to go left (and steps)

Eight bridges to go cross over

First glimpse above of dwellings

I hear ya

At viewpoint - right before 800 feet gain (steps)

Climbed up and down, gaining elevation, getting to the Monument a little over 2 hours later. After stopping in at the Visitors Center and getting information on the Cliff Dwellings, we drove another mile north to the end point and got into our hiking gear. At the start of the 1 mile trail up into the canyon where the cliff dwellings were, a Ranger was stationed to provide further instructions about visiting the site. He said that the canyon trail is a steady ascent to a point where there are steps that will ascend the equivalent of walking up the height of an 18 story building, almost a straight shot up. Benches are provided along the way, take your time. Trail is rated difficult because of the ascent.

And up we went

Made it - now on to see the caves

Climbed up these steps to go inside caves 2 through 7

Lots of soot from fires

Very impressive. We were able to walk inside and touch and see how the Ancient Puebloans lived, the structure of the rooms, what the purpose (the historians think) of the rooms, etc. Once we came to the end of the last cave, we had to descend down a ladder, then continue on the loop back down to the beginning of the trail. Extremely dry conditions, that area was under a severe alert for fire.

Can barely see outline of mural

Petroglyph - see red man symbol

And snake

Barely make out red hands on wall

And then had to climb down steps to get out

Doesn't look that bad until you have to come down it

Continuing our walk to the beginning

We had packed a lunch and sat near the entrance to the trail and a Bullock Oriole pestered us to feed it. Was not shy at all. After lunch we started our trek back to Silver City, continuing on the Trail of the Mountain Spirits, through the Upper Mimbres (a branch of the Mogollan - moh-go-yone - people) area, saw Lake Roberts from the road - could not find entrance to it, and then stopped at Bear Canyon Lake. Took a little over 3 hours to come back because of the stopping. Lovely day.