Along the Byway
The journey began in Silver City. First, we took NM 15N to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. This part is just 44 miles. The route is the wildest and the most beautiful we can remember. The road is narrow, there are no center or edge lines, the hills are steep, the switchbacks are tight and the curves are sharp. Fortunately, road signs (and Terry McMahon from Ghost Ranch) warned us not to take the route with a trailer. It was excellent advice!
The journey began in Silver City. First, we took NM 15N to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. This part is just 44 miles. The route is the wildest and the most beautiful we can remember. The road is narrow, there are no center or edge lines, the hills are steep, the switchbacks are tight and the curves are sharp. Fortunately, road signs (and Terry McMahon from Ghost Ranch) warned us not to take the route with a trailer. It was excellent advice!
NM 15 is a very curvy roadPinos Altos
This old mining town is just 6 miles into the tour. It was started when a group of miners from California discovered gold here in 1859. This is still a rough, old mountain town. The gold is gone, yet the town continues to exist by grasping and sharing the past. A few views of the historic district follow.
This old mining town is just 6 miles into the tour. It was started when a group of miners from California discovered gold here in 1859. This is still a rough, old mountain town. The gold is gone, yet the town continues to exist by grasping and sharing the past. A few views of the historic district follow.
Hearst Methodist-Episcopal Church – built with Hearst money in 1898
Opera House captures the flavor of the old west
Buckhorn SaloonGila Cliff Dwellings
The remaining 38 miles were slow going, but we got to the visitor center and then took a 1 mile round trip hike to the see the 7 cave dwellings.
The remaining 38 miles were slow going, but we got to the visitor center and then took a 1 mile round trip hike to the see the 7 cave dwellings.
Cave #2. The wood flooring pole is original.
Unlike Mesa Verde, these dwellings were built in less than 100 years.
Carol explores lots of rooms
Hmm ... these are some serious porch steps.Continuing on the way
The return route retraced part of NM 15, turned east at NM 35 and finished up on NM 152.
We passed Lake Roberts and followed the Mimbres River through green orchards and small farms of the Mimbres Valley.
The return route retraced part of NM 15, turned east at NM 35 and finished up on NM 152.
We passed Lake Roberts and followed the Mimbres River through green orchards and small farms of the Mimbres Valley.
Santa Rita Copper Mine
The Santa Rita/Chino Mines open pit copper mine is the oldest active mine in the southwest. It runs along NM 152 near Silver City. They sure know how to carve up mountains. It was worked as early as 1800.
The Santa Rita/Chino Mines open pit copper mine is the oldest active mine in the southwest. It runs along NM 152 near Silver City. They sure know how to carve up mountains. It was worked as early as 1800.
Santa Rita open pit copper mineWe were home and tucked in before a rain storm moved in from the SW. Tomorrow should be an interesting travel day.
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