Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

We finally make it to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument on Sunday.  It is a lovely sunny day even though still very cold; only 27 F with LOTS of snow on the ground!! The water pipes are frozen!


Today we approach the Gila Cliff Dwellings area from a different route; remembering all the snow on the road yesterday we go out through the Mimbre River valley. It is a beautiful drive.

Snow still lies on the ground.

Lake Roberts

We have a 2 hour drive to the Gila Visitors Center. Stunning scenery! We are following the Trail of the Mountain Spirit Scenic Byway in the footsteps of those who have preceded - Mimbreno, Apache, Spaniard, Mexican, Miner, Rancher, Outdoorsman.






We walk approximately 1 mile up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument which lies at the edge of the Gila Wilderness, the nation's first designated wilderness area. It is a steep and sometimes slippery trail after yesterday's snow.
The area reveals the homes of prehistoric Indians who built 'rooms'  into the natural caves on the side of the mountains using rock, mortar and wood. It is a glimpse into the lives of people of the Mogollan culture who inhabited the homes in the late 12th century.
We are fortunate to attach to a tour of the Dwellings by a National Park guide which is extremely interesting.

The Mogollan had left the area by 1300 but it was not until about 1500 that  Apaches migrated to the upper Gila River. Legendary leader Geronimo was born near the Gila River headwaters in the early 1820s.

In 2004 a monument was dedicated near the Gila Visitor Centre to recognize Geronimo,  Apache Medicine Man and War Chief.

He led one of the last small bands of Apaches to hold out against the US and Mexican forces.

His final surrender in 1886 effectively marked the end of the Indian Wars.

We return to Silver City along the road we attempted to take yesterday.
There is still a lot of snow on the ground but the road is passable.