The recorded distance is correct, since we actually rode 25 miles to a junction, but we then loaded the bikes on the top of the van, and drove the remaining 14 miles to the lodge. One of the riders has an app that records total elevation gain on each ride. Today, we climbed just over 2700 total feet in the 25 miles. Puts the concept of rolling hills into perspective.
The scenery along the ride, both bike and van was spectacular. In many ways it reminded me of the Thompson-Okanagan region, but it was distinctively New Mexican at the same time.
The ride was a study in contrasts; work up a sweat climbing the hills, then cool off drastically on the steep downhills. The temp did warm up from the near-freezing lows in Silver City (I had frost on my tent!), but as we climbed higher, the air got thinner and cooler.
Once we unloaded our gear at the lodge, we climbed back into the van and headed off for a tour of the Gila (pronounced Heela) Cliff Dwellings, which are around 700 years old. The caves had been inhabited off and on for about 1500 years, but the dwellings were built between 1275 and 1287, and the builders left the area by 1300 after only one generation.
The area had been vandalized in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but some restoration has taken place, and there's enough of the original work to get a feel of the place. Seeing the actual hieroglyphs was interesting.
Tomorrow, we head south, crossing the Continental Divide one more time, and embracing warmer climes in the days to come.
A memorial for a local rider killed by a car passing on a double solid line.
Getting ready to shuttle up to the lodge.
The caldera left after the super volcano eons ago.
Gila Cliff Dwellings
You look like you are having a great time. Enjoying your blog and pics. See you in April, if you ever decide to come back to the Thompson Okanagan.
ReplyDeleteJean.