Service Among Cliff Dwellings, Gila Wilderness, New Mexico

The Trip

The Gila National Forest, established in 1905, covers 3.3 million acres of New Mexico and includes the oldest designated wilderness area in the world. In its midst is Cliff Dwellings National Monument where the Mogollon people resided beginning in the late 1200s before they departed. Some Pueblo groups claim descent from the Mogollon. Later, the Chiricahua Apache inhabited the area until their expulsion in the 1870s. Apache leader Geronimo was born nearby at the headwaters of the Gila River. The Aldo Leopold Wilderness, named for the famed conservationist, is part of the Gila National Forest. Wolves have been reintroduced into the Gila National Forest.

The Project

Our service will consist of trail repair and renovation, as well as removal of barbed wire, which inhibits wildlife movement. Forest Service employees will instruct us in safe tool usage and methods, and supervise the work.

Getting There

The nearest airport is El Paso, Texas, about a 4-hour drive. Tucson, Arizona, and Albuquerque are 5-6 hours away; airfares may be less expensive there. The drive from Albuquerque includes crossing mountain passes on narrow roads with many turns. Our campground is north of Silver City, New Mexico. The Sierra Club encourages carpooling, and the trip leader will provide contact information to facilitate that.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

Upper Scorpion Campground is a typically rustic National Forest campground with tent sites suitable for car camping, water from a pump, and vault toilets. The Cliff Dwellings National Monument is just a short walk away. Commercial hot springs and pay showers are within an easy drive. All meals from Sunday dinner to Saturday breakfast are included in the trip price. Of course, just calling them “meals” does not give the trip cook proper credit for their culinary skills. Food is part of the adventure. There are sous-chef opportunities for all to help out in the outdoor kitchen. The menu will be vegetarian-friendly -- so if meat is served, a vegetarian option will also be provided. 

Trip Difficulty

This is a moderate trip. We will hike to our work sites daily, possibly a mile or more. Our campsite is about 6,000 feet above sea level and the surrounding area is somewhat higher. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced service trip volunteer, you’ll enjoy yourself more if you are in good physical condition. While our project naturally focuses on completing some important work, the health and safety of our participants are always our top priority. All participants will be encouraged to work at their own comfortable pace and not exceed their limits.

Equipment and Clothing

At this time of year, the chances of rain are extremely low. Days will be pleasantly warm -- 60s to 70s with low humidity. Nights are normally cool down to the upper 30s but can get somewhat lower.

A tent, sleeping bag, and personal gear typical for car camping are necessary.

The work will require long pants; closed-toed, protective footwear; gloves; and protective eyewear. Water may be scarce during the workday. Water containers with three liters of capacity are recommended.

The trip leader will send a list of recommended gear to all participants.

References

• U.S. Forest Service/Gila National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila
• U.S. Forest Service/Wilderness Areas in Gila National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5039821
• National Park Service/Gila Cliff Dwellings: https://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htm
• Roberts, David, Lost Worlds of the Old Ones: Discoveries in the Ancient Southwest. 2015.
• Plog, Stephen, Ancient Peoples of the American Southwest. 2005.
• Meine, Curt and Richard Knight, The Essential Aldo Leopold. 1999.
• Peterson, Brenda, Wolf Nation: The Life, Death, and Return of Wild American Wolves. 2017.
• Connors, Philip, Fire Season: Field Notes From a Wilderness Lookout. 2011.

Conservation

The Gila National Forest includes four of Merriam’s six life zones in North America. The desert Southwest is undergoing a lengthy drought, stressing water supplies. Fires in recent years have damaged the forests; the effects are evident when hiking in the area. Mexican gray wolves have been reintroduced to the Gila National Forest, with controversial results.

Since its founding in 1892, the Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.