Rest Days - March 3,4, 2010 - Coast to Coast

We had two warm sunny days to enjoy some great sights and hikes in Silver City, NM. Yesterday we walked along The Catwalk. A metal causeway clings to the sides of boulder-choked Whitewater Canyon, which is some places is only 20 feet wide and 250 feet deep. The metal causeway becomes dirt, steps and rocks and takes you 1.1 miles into the canyon. Whitewater Canyon was a central point in the mining saga. A 3-mile, 4-inch metal pipeline provided a continuous water supply to the town and its electric generator. A large 18" pipeline was built in 1897 to run a big, new generator. Today's catwalk follows the route of the original line.

We took so many pictures, I can't wait to download them to my computer when fixed and post some of them with the blog. The snowmelt is heavy and the flowing water was amazing.

Today we hiked up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. It was 3 miles round trip, with a fair amount of climbing and Carol was so proud she made it up and so happy to enjoy the dwellings. Built late in the 13th century, there are 42 well-preserved rooms within 5 natural caves. We walked thru the caves where the Mogollons once lived. Rooms contructed of stone and mud mortar, the timbers seen are originals, placed there 700 years ago. A sense of the past is strong, imagine the life of the Mogollon Indian farming, hunting and gathering food. Again, we took many pictures and hope you can appreciate the rooms when you see the pictures.

Tomorrow is the big day, our highest elevation climb.