New Mexico offers bountiful beauty. My husband, Kenn, and I travel New Mexico often. We moved to Albuquerque ten years ago from Tennessee and explore this amazing state whenever possible. This past weekend we visited the Gila National Forest. The Gila covers 3.3 million acres of land which makes it the largest national forest in New Mexico and one of the largest in the United States.
Our first stop in the forest took us to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. The Mogollon people built over forty rooms in a set of five caves in the 1280’s, but it is believed they only lived in them until 1300. They left for unknown reasons. The trail is a one-mile loop—rather steep and rocky. We were told no food was allowed in the caves because food attracts rats. If rats dig holes beneath the rooms, the rooms will deteriorate.
Our final stop took us to Whitewater Canyon and the Catwalk Trail. We walked along a metal path attached to the cliffs of the canyon. The walkway suspended twenty feet above a crystal-clear stream. The rushing hum of whitewater below, flowing over the rocks, made for a peaceful morning. The multi colors within the canyon cliffs added to the natural beauty abounding in God’s creation.
While in the forest, we saw a javelina (often mistaken for a wild boar), a few deer, tiny lizards along with one medium-sized lizard, and a hawk.
For a few photos of our trip to the Gila please visit my Photos page.