Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument & Gila National Forest, NM

The trip today was an all day affair. First we drove 190 miles to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in southwest New Mexico. We hiked to the cliffs and then hiked on into the Gila National Forest for a distance of 5.5 miles. The trail map didn't show the 2 river/stream crossings that we would have to make through the water prior to completing the trail. Next we took the scenic drive from there back toward El Paso, TX. Highway 152 between the cliff dwellings and Interstate-25 is a drive through the mountains with absolutely beautiful scenery. This drive is a must for anyone visiting the area. That route took us to an elevation of 8185 feet and from this height we could see for miles & miles.