Somehow
the Gila region of Southwest New Mexico has remained something
of a secret. Perhaps it's because it doesn't border any interstate
freeways. Maybe it's because getting here isn't so easy -
one way or another, you'll probably have to cross a mountain
range or two. But that just means more incredibly varied wilderness
beauty for you and yours!
Probably the first thing to know about experiencing the Gila
is that Southwest New Mexico, where the Gila's headwaters
head generally West, is more geographically connected to Tucson
, AZ and El Paso, TX than it is to Santa Fe, Albuquerque and
Taos, the places most visitors think of when they envision
New Mexico. Of course, you can get to the Gila from anywhere,
this being the 21st Century, but if your time is limited and
you're coming from far off, you might consider flying into
Tucson or El Paso. Public transportation is available from
Tucson via Greyhound and a regional bus service called Corre
Caminos (tel: 1-866-934-3866 or 505-388-3180). Corre Caminos
will get you to Silver City (the gateway to the Gila) from
Lordsburg, New Mexico, where Greyhound drops you off. Or you
can rent a car in Tucson, of course. From El Paso, the Las
Cruces Shuttle (800-288-1784) can transport you from the El
Paso International Airport to Silver City. Or thumb a ride!
Civilization
Around the Gila
Silver
City: Known for the place where Billy the Kid got his criminal
start, this historic and increasingly artsy town has bed and
breakfasts, fine dining, galleries, an amazing museum full
of Mimbreno pottery at Western New Mexico University, and
enough surrounding history to satisfy everyone from students
of Apache culture to American military history enthusiasts.
You can return to Silver City (or nearby historic Pinos Altos)
after exploring the Gila and know you will be both comfortable
and surrounded by friendly people. Silver City also features
two bike shops (Gila Hike and Bike or Twin Sisters Cycling
and Fitness), for those who want to explore the Gila by road
bike or mountain bike. A good leap-off place for Silver City
information is http://www.collectorsguide.com/nm/sc/scall.html.
Types
of Gila Exploration
So
much depends of how much time you have and how much you want
to use the ol' legs. In exploring the Gila region, we are,
after all, talking about a wilderness ecosystem. The fact
is, on a one-day hike, you can dwarf yourself amidst towering
ponderosa pines, dip in the Gila River, or experience desert
birds and cacti. And if you have multiple days, you can experience
all of these and more. If you're not so mobile or have young
children, don't despair: near the ghost town of Mogollon (itself
worth a visit), there is a famous catwalk full of breath-taking
views. And the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, in
the heart of the Gila watershed, is under two miles start
to finish.
But
we're not going to give away all of the Gila's secrets here.
Visit the Forest Service
offices in Silver City (tel: (505) 388-8201), get yourself
some maps, and have at it. The whole fun of it is you've got
to discover the Gila for yourself! Maybe you'll find a favorite
swimming hole, or a killer fishing spot. Make it your own
Gila, and help us preserve it by
becoming a GCC member.
Guided
or Unguided?
Because
so much of the Gila watershed is on federal public land (The
Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness), you can stop by
the Forest Service office in Silver City for maps and trail guides (Tel. (505)
388-8201). With some backcountry knowledge and lots of water,
even a first-time visitor can choose from hundreds of miles
of trail systems without needing a guide. Just bring tons
of water, practice "leave
no trace" camping, try to avoid open fires, and let
someone know where you're going and when you plan to return.
However,
if three days on a horse is your thing, pack trips are available
as well. Really, if you know your time frame, you don't have
to stress about which trails to choose before you arrive.
Plenty of hiking literature and books about Gila-region plants,
birds and other animals are available at local bookstores.
Human
History
As
awe-inspiring as the natural beauty of the Gila is, the fact
is that people have lived here for thousands of years - often
in large numbers. The Anasazi, Mimbreno, and Apache cultures
preceded the melting pot of Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American
humans who now dwell here. Evidence from the early human history
of the Gila region abounds, and can be most easily visited
at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, some two hours
into the Gila National Forest from Silver City. The Cliff
Dwellings also make a fine jump-off point for day or extended
hikes into the Gila Wilderness.
Our
Seasons
The
weather in the Gila in many ways has more in common with India
than much of North America. That's because we get summer monsoons,
making "fall" like spring. We can get snow at high
elevations in the winter, and yet often a January afternoon
can hit 60 degrees. Winter rains can also make the traditional
spring months beautiful, if windy. There's no bad time to
come, is what we're saying. Just do your research to know
what kind of clothes and equipment to bring. Elevation varies
from 4,000-12,000 feet, so in one day you might need swim
trunks and snow mittens.
Most
of all, you don't need to over think or pre-plan a visit here.
Just find a hotel or a bed and breakfast and come! The Gila will be waiting,
365 days per year.
Links
Gila
Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila
National Forest, U.S. Forest Service Web Site
Desert
Exposure, a regional arts and culture magazine
Information
on Leave No Trace Camping,
from the Center
For Outdoor Ethics
Gila-region
maps and trail guides for sale
Some
Information on Mimbreno
Culture and Art
Everything
You'd Want to Know About Ponderosa Pine Forests
Information
on River Otter Restoration in New Mexico
Silver
City Chamber of Commerce |
