AREA DAY TRIPS
Gila Cliff Dwellings and More
There is something for everyone, actually lots of things for everyone to enjoy in the Gila Wilderness, very close to Silver City and convenient to lodgings at Bear Mountain Lodge.
Pinos Altos
Six miles as the crow flies from Bear Mountain Lodge but eleven driving miles, Pinos Altos, "tall pines" in Spanish, began as an early Grant County mining town when gold was discovered nearby in 1860. The town still retains its historic feel and much of its original architecture. Take State Highway 15 north seven miles from its intersection with U.S. Hwy. 180 in Silver City. Visit the Museum, the "Fort," the old Post Office/Ice Cream Parlor, the Hearst Chapel, and the Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House (closed on Sundays).
Cherry Creek Campground
About fourteen miles north of Silver City, past Pinos Altos on the east side of State Highway 15, is Cherry Creek Campground, where you'll find good birding and a nice place to stretch your legs.
Signal Peak
Park your car left of the highway about 1.5 miles past McMillan Campground, just before Forest Road 154, and look on your right for trail #742. It's a beautiful 2 1/2 mile hike (5 mile round trip) up one of the highest peaks in the Pinos Altos Range on a forested trail surrounded by wildflowers in season, up to the fire tower where you'll find 360° views at about 9000' elevation. OR... Drive Forest Road 154 through the forested north slope ending at the saddle just below the fire tower lookout. From here, you can walk the last quarter mile to the tower and some amazing vistas.
Gila Hot Springs
Located about forty miles north of Silver City, four miles south of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Gila Hot Springs is the remains of an old ranching community settled in the 1880's by the Hills Brothers. It was once the site of a military camp established to guard local homesteaders. Operated by the Campbell family since 1940, soaks in the hot springs are available for $3/person.
Gila Cliff Dwellings
Continue north on State Highway 15, only 44 miles from Silver City, but approximately two hours travel time due to the twisting road and mountainous terrain. The roadway is steep in places, and is not plowed on nights or weekends. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse into the homes and lives of the Mogollon people who inhabited the area through the early 1300s. It is surrounded by the immense Gila National Forest and lies on the edge of the Gila Wilderness, our nation's first officially designated wilderness area. The Cliff Dwellings are open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, with the Visitor Center open until 5:00. The rest of the year, the Cliff Dwellings are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the Visitor Center until 4:30. The monument closes on Christmas Day. Visitors are free to tour the cliff dwellings on their own, but a daily tour is offered, please call for the tour time as part of the $3 per person (or $10 per family) entrance fee. Tours start at the Cliff Dwellings themselves, about a half hour hike up from the trailhead. Phone: 575-536-9461.
Lightfeather Hot Springs
LIghtfeather Hot Spring is a geothermal pool that flows into the Middle Fork of the Gila River. Located about 3/4 mile from the Gila Visitor Center, a twenty minute walk along the Middle Fork Trail, Trail 157, will take you to pools maintained by locals and visitors.
The Loop (The Trail of the Mountain Spirits)
For some different but equally spectacular scenery on the way back to town, take State Hwy. 35 and loop through the beautiful Mimbres River Valley. Where Hwy. 35 dead ends at the intersection of Hwy. 152, turn right to return to Silver City. Although this route is a bit longer than simply retracing your steps, you will avoid the wind-ing roads of Hwy. 15
Lake Roberts
Stop at Lake Roberts, near the intersection of New Mexico Highway l5 and Highway 35. Lake Roberts is a 72-acre man-made lake in the Gila National Forest. Fed by Sapillo Creek, the lake can be fished for 10 to 14 inch rainbow trout (best late March to late May) as well as crappie, catfish, and some bass. An oasis for wildlife, it's common to see herds of deer grazing along the road near the lake. There are numerous trails leading into the forest and a self-interpretive Mimbres Indian site.
Continental Divide Trail
A little farther down Hwy. 35, look for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a long, primitive hiking route. The loop made by the Trail of the Mountain Spirits crosses the Continental Divide Trail twice, accessing a l4-mile-long segment through forested country that is a visual feast of butterflies, birds, and wildflowers.
Santa Rita Copper Mine
Returning to Silver City via "the Loop" and State Hwy. 152, near the end of your journey you will pass the natural rock formation known as the Kneeling Nun. Beneath it lies the former townsite of Santa Rita, now swallowed by the gaping pit of the Chino Copper Mine. Metal has been extracted here for over two centuries, and for a few years in the early 1800's local copper supplied the Spanish Royal Mint in Mexico City, making the torturous 1300 mile frontier journey by mule train. An overlook offers views into the incredibly deep, wide hole, today about 1.8 miles across and 1400 feet deep.
La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery
La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery offers a little bit of wine with a lot of heart. David and Esperanza Gurule owners/vinters inherited the land and original structures from Esperanza's mother Antonia Orosco. The land was homesteaded by Antonia's father, Antonio DeLaO in 1906. With Antonia's blessing David and Esperanza started growing grapevines in 1998. Antonia's only request was that it be named after her only daughter, Esperanza. Esperanza means hope, to dream, to aspire. Visit us soon and enjoy a picnic lunch with some Merlot. www.laesperanzavineyardandwinery.com
Open Friday, Saturdays, 11:00 AM- 7:00 PM and Sundays 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM