Greetings, Wandertogs wanderers!
We're excited to share the tale of our recent expedition to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Nestled in the heart of New Mexico, these ancient abodes tell a story that spans thousands of years – a narrative of nomads crafting pottery, raising families, and scribbling on the walls (one of my favorite parts actually)— ultimately leaving behind a testament to their existence.
View up towards the Gila Cliff Dwelling from the trail. “Scotty, Are we there yet??” “Only 5 more minute’s, Donna.” “Ya, Right, Scotty Pants….”
A Glimpse into the Past
These nomads sought to build a life up there in the caves they built rooms, molded pottery, and nurtured children within the cliff dwellings. Fast forward to approximately 1300, and the Mogollon people had moved on, leaving these silent stone walls to echo their legacy. And you too can see what they left behind - IF - you are willing to take on the breathtaking ascent. It was a total of about 616 stairs, round trip – and that's not even counting the creaky ladders within the dwellings! As we climbed, we couldn't help but marvel at the resilience of these folks who once called these heights home, but my simple question was “did they not have vertigo back then??”
Up or Down this is how we got around…
Travel Tip: Take the advice of the ranger when she tells you to use a sturdy walking stick while doing this loop and trekking those 616 stairs. These stairs are not even! …and there are no hand rails in the upper portion of the trail. Borrowing the wooden stick was the best advice ever! Saved my knees and helped with staying balanced as you look up or down from the cliffs.
Living on the Edge
Standing in the midst of these ancient rooms and structures, we dared to contemplate and fantasize about what life might have been like for the Mogollon people. I mean look at these beautiful views!! But reality set in quickly – the heights were dizzying, and the thought of rolling off the cliff on the first night was a sobering reminder that my sad weak knees weren't quite ready for such extreme living arrangements. (Insert sad crowd sound here)
Conversations with Ravens
The adventure extended beyond the cliff dwellings, as we explored the surrounding area. The landscape told its own story, and with each step, we saw many unique designs in the petroglyphs, but one of our favorite moments was when our journey included unexpected companions – a mated pair of Ravens!! They seemed wise and watchful, perhaps they are willing to share tales of their own?
These Ravens, seemingly guardians of this ancient realm, became our partners in exploration. There was much cawing and flapping of wings so we spent more than a few moments just hanging out with them, engaging in what felt like a conversation about the best strategies for finagling a little tourist-provided feast. Their intelligence and playful banter added an unexpected layer of magic to our already awe-inspiring journey.
Mated Pair of Ravens Living at the Cliff Dwelling: Huginn and Muninn perhaps?
Scotty got on top of a ladder here to get this stunning view from inside the dwelling out over the valley below.
Relive the Adventure
Want to see more? We've curated a small collection of images from here capturing the essence of Gila Cliff Dwellings – from the towering heights to the intricate details of ancient craftsmanship. Continue the visual journey with us by visiting our gallery https://erbphotography.zenfoliosite.com/gila-cliff-dwellings.
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Join Us on the Clifftop
As Wandertogs, we invite you to explore the world with us, one adventure at a time. Stay tuned for more tales from our travels, behind-the-scenes moments, and of course, the stunning visuals that make our journey truly unforgettable.
Thank you for being part of the Wandertogs community. Let's continue to wander, wonder, and weave our stories together.
Happy trails,
Scott and Donna
Wantertogs Founders and Explorers Extraordinaire
Don’t know if you noticed but Scotty is actually wearing his Raven Inspired T-shirt he designed on the day we went to Gila. No wonder the Ravens wanted to hang out with us! We are part of their tribe!!