Day 16, City of Rocks NM – Gila Hot Springs NM

After a lie in we cooked ourselves a nice breakfast with leftover veggies, packed up then had a walk around the giant rocks. Small start up trouble with Tanguys bike delayed us leaving until nearly 11,(we sucked too much juice charging things the night before) which gave me time to chat to the lady in the visitor centre about tonight’s camping options.
The road up to Gila Cliff Dwellings was gently winding at first through farms/ranches and houses, then through the forest it gor steep and the corners got sharp! A new experience for me as we wound further and further into the mountains.

We found Gila Hot Springs which had tent camping also. The road down was steep uneven pot-holed gravel onto their farm which had goats/horses all along. No spills for me though! We pitched a tent right next to the three hot pools which were also right on the river bank. Perfect spot! Then carried on to the general store, where we got some gas through a tiny 1970’s pump and another instant burrito for lunch (only option sadly).

Campsite by the river

The Gila Cliff Dwellings were another 4miles up the road, did a 1mile hike around then got to the old abandoned native Indian dwellings from the 13 century. Fortunately for us we could walk through the caves and dwelling remains, which was interesting to see although there wasn’t much left but the walls and cooking pits.

The walk up to the caves

From inside one of the caves

After the dwellings we headed back to the Hot Springs to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and soothing our muscles in the natural hot water… Bliss! We even got the hammock out and Tanguy had an afternoon nap in it.

The owners were very friendly people who had lived on the ranch/land for generations, interesting hearing their perspective of life as they came around for a chat and adjusting water flow/temp.

We cooked ourselves dinner, cleaned up then had another soak in the pools before bed.