Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Tuesday, October 2nd, it was COLD when we woke up, but didn't take long to start to warm up with the sun. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument was SO WORTH THE TRIP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS to get here. We both thought it was the BEST experience of ancient dwellings we've had on this trip. The hike through the narrow forested valley wound back and forth across a spring-fed stream which we crossed on footbridges. It was a very pleasant hike with the soothing sound of the brook bubbling over the rocks and the cool shade of the trees. The climb from the valley floor was up uneven, rocky steps but not too strenuous. The dwellings are built into six natural caves in the cliffside and we were able to climb INTO them. There was a very nice ranger posted there to insure the protection of the dwellings and he was a wealth of information and answered all of our questions. He explained that the reason visitors are able to go into the dwellings is because this wilderness area is remote. There are fewer people who make the effort to get there and so it is easier to protect, maintain and preserve the site. 

Inside part of the dwelling.

 

In the afternoon we stopped at City of Rocks State Park. From afar it looks like a giant tossed a handful of rocks onto the middle of a grassy plain, but as you get closer you can see that they are actually large sculptured rock formations (pinnacles and boulders) . . . Some as tall as 40 feet. Situated throughout the rock formations are strategically placed campsites. It would have been a nice place to camp, but it was too early in the day for us to stop for the evening.

After looking around the park, we continued on our way and checked in at Rock Hound State Park for the night. Rock Hound is very unique in that they encourage visitors to wander off the trails and to collect and take home up to 15lbs of rocks! Mark spent a little time rock collecting before dinner. Supposedly visitors can find jasper, silica, quartz, opal, agate . . . But Mark just found "rocks". :)

 

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