If Bandelier National Monument introduced us to New Mexico apartment living circa 1300, Gila Cliff Dwellings showed us the McMansions of the era. Compared to the cramped cubbyholes of Bandelier, the Gila residences are huge – more than large enough to accommodate groups of people standing upright. In all, the ancient Mogollon people constructed 46 stone masonry rooms in five large caves.
The site’s remote location, deep in the Gila wilderness and a two hour drive from the nearest town, Silver City, has helped prevent the theft and vandalism that has plagued similar historic sites. The deep cave structures, and dry climate, have also protected the Cliff Dwellings; preserving, for example, wood beams that were originally cut in 1275.
Touring the Gila Cliff Dwellings requires a fairly easy one mile round trip hike, with a modest 200 foot elevation gain. Expect to spend about an hour exploring the area. We have it on good authority that the longish drive to reach Gila is enhanced with a high performance rental car.
Love your photos of the Gila Cliff Dwellings! It’s one of the few places in New Mexico that I haven’t been to yet.l
The cliff dwellings are a bit out of the way, but well worth the trip.
NO photo of the rental car???? You’re slacking!
Btw, these are awesome and I will need to plan to get there!!
Ha. Sorry for the confusion. That last line is in reference to yesterday’s post. Our Jeep just isn’t the right vehicle to make the most of the twisty, mountain roads that lead to the cliff dwellings.
Very kewl indeed! Thanks for sharing:)
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Magnificent! Cave-living? So people are actually residing there?
I’m starting to become a fan of great-looking rock formations.
No, these are ruins. Nobody has lived in the Gila cliffs for many hundreds of years.
oh i see. hehe
Although if you go to places like Taos in New Mexico, you can find communities of people living pretty much as they have since the middle ages.
http://everywhereonce.com/2012/01/04/a-toast-to-taos/
Fascinating Brian – I’m seeing all these photos of the western States and it is beckoning …
It is one amazing country.