Gila (Hee-La) Cliff Dwellings National Monument
A Visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. By Jackie Blurton The Gila Cliff Dwellings are well known. Within five natural caves there are 42 well-preserved rooms of stone and mud mortar that were built in the 12th century. A beautiful wooden footbridge spans the West Fork of the Gila River from the Gila Cliff Dwellings visitor station to the mouth of Cliff Dweller Canyon. The West Fork of the Gila River flows under the bridge, rippling and sparkling in the sun. Two mule deer drinking at the shore look up than lower their heads again. Above you towering rocks pierce the blue sky. There is only the sound of the river and wind in cottonwoods and pines. It’s beautiful and peaceful, and time is forgotten. The river has flowed here for uncounted thousands of years. It was like this when the Mogollon people ventured up this valley and found the caves that would protect the dwellings they built and suddenly left behind 800 years ago. As the trail enters Cliff Dweller Canyon the walls close in and you walk in the dappled shade of pines accompanied by songs of birds and cascading water. There are little bridges that cross the stream and benches along the way to sit and enjoy the moment. A half-mile up the canyon the trail ascends in a series of stone steps. Here is your first view of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Looking up you see dark arches, like giant eyes, in the cliffs above. Sheltered within the caves and reflecting the warm glow of the sun, are the Dwellings. You climb the stone steps to a broad shelf and pass by caves and ruins, inaccessible and high on the cliff face. At the largest of the caves a stair takes you up and into a great domed chamber, cool and dim with reflected light from outside. The stone walls of many rooms fit together like a puzzle on the sloping floor and the smoke of ancient fires blackens the high ceiling. Two great arched openings look out across the canyon to pine covered slopes. The view is stunning. A Monument volunteer is there to tell you about the Dwellings and the Mogollon people. Little is known about them but you can come to your own understanding of them by visiting their ancient homes. In learning how they lived you will find an appreciation for the endurance and spirit of the people who came before and left their mark in this timeless place. A visit to the Gila Cliff Dwellings in the heart of the Gila Wilderness is a great experience for everyone.
The Catwalk of Whitewater Canyon
Visit the unique Catwalk of Whitewater Canyon, a metal walkway that clings to the cliff walls of Whitewater Canyon. The Catwalk is a great place for everyone. You won’t find any cats on the Catwalk. You will find parents and children, couples holding hands, backpackers, seniors, photographers, birders, people from Europe or Australia, and locals like us who have been here countless times and keep coming back because it’s just so darned beautiful. Sometimes you won’t find anyone at all. You’ll have this gorgeous place of waterfalls and pools, colorful cliffs and giant boulders, walkways and bridges, all to yourself. You’ll have the Catwalk experience. At the parking lot to the Catwalk there’s a beautiful National Forest picnic area with giant Sycamore trees along the banks of Whitewater Creek. From here you have a choice of two trails that will take you to the narrows. One is carved out of the rock and the other is a paved universal trail. Both trails converge at the beginning of the narrows. The first section of the Catwalk through the narrows is universal and can accommodate people of varying abilities. The Catwalk is like a hidden passage into a secret place. Sheer cliff walls rise out of the streambed and the walkways, supported on steel beams 20 feet above the stream, switch from one cliff to other as they wind through the narrows. Once through the narrows the canyon opens and the trail continues up a short series of stone steps and across scenic footbridges that span the cascading stream. Waterfalls echo in hidden grottos inviting you to linger and listen. At the 1.1 mile marker a metal footbridge that bounces slightly under your steps takes you to a sheltered ledge and a waterfall that pours out of the rocks into a deep trout pool. This is where the Catwalk ends but the forest trail continues up Whitewater Canyon and you can hike further if you wish. It’s worth taking the trail to an overlook above the bridge to get a view of the canyon. A day at the Catwalk is a relaxing and rewarding day spent enjoying a natural wonder, making memories and taking lots of pictures. Open all year. Pets allowed.
Silver City
Silver City is the boyhood home of Billy the Kid. Silver City is a blend of the old and new, the last of the frontier days and modern culture. The historic downtown district has brick Victorian homes and stores built in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It's charm and character has been preserved by our community's efforts. You'll enjoy a visiting to the Silver City Museum, Western New Mexico University Museum, and the galleries and shops. Silver City has been listed in the books, The 100 Best Small Towns in America and The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. The Silver City KOA has as all the area publications and maps to help you discover and enjoy Silver City and our wonderful area.