North of Silver City, New Mexico is this National Monument near the Gila River. There are seven natural cavities indented into the face of a cliff some 175 feet above the canyon floor. Five of these hollows contain rooms constructed during the 13 th century by people of the Mogollon culture. Although archaeological evidence suggests that many different groups of people have inhabited this are over thousands of years. They do think these dwellings were built between 1270 and 1300. When the Mogollon left, no one has appeared to have lived in this area for over 100 years. Apaches migrated to the upper Gila River about 1500. Actually the legendary leader Geronimo was born here and the Apaches left behind artifacts. There is also many pictographs painted on rocks located in the caves and the surrounding areas, illustrating history of their life.
To get to the dwellings we hiked a total of 3 miles along a steep and rocky trail, about a 225 feet climb. But this is after a two hour drive up a twisting and winding mountain road called the Trail of the Mountain Spirits, through much snow, remoteness, solitude and a stunning canyon vista. No side rails, no shoulders, no lane dividers.
Later in the afternoon we stopped by Fort Bayard, a US Army post dating back to 1863; it also is a National Historic Landmark. The first all-black regular army units made up of enlisted personnel, referred to as Buffalo Soldiers. They were formed to protect the settlers and miners from the Apaches and participated in the chase for Geronimo. The fort was then transformed to a US Army General Hospital to fight against tuberculosis. Today, Fort Bayard continues its long service with the treatment of geriatrics and substance abuse.
Very educational and enlightening day. What's interesting about traveling this time of year to these sites, there are no crowds! We continue to meet great people, also traveling by RV's.
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