Fluorite Mining in SW New Mexico
SEARCHING FOR CRYSTALS AND HISTORY IN THEGILA FLUORITE DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO THE GILA FLUORSPAR DISTRICT AND THE GILA FLUORSPAR MILL It was June of 1943 and the United States was now deep into its second year of involvement in World War II. All projections indicated that demand for fluorspar, an ore of […]
Some Interesting Blogs from the Past 5 Years . . .
We’re taking a break from the Gila Nature Blog for a few months in order to focus on other projects. Since January 2011, when the first Blog article appeared, a wide range of topics has been covered. Here’s a summary of several topics. If your favorite topic isn’t listed below, use the panel to […]
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
A MYSTERY WRAPPED IN STONE Many Questions, A Few Clues, Emerging Answers Part 2 of 2 The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, located 45 miles north of Silver City in the middle of the Gila Wilderness, is a unique cultural site in Southern New Mexico. Yet, despite 131 years of study and research since the […]
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
A MYSTERY WRAPPED IN STONE Many Questions, A Few Clues, Emerging Answers PART 1 of 2 THE GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL MONUMENT: ARCHEOLOGICAL GEM OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is located in the center of the Gila Wilderness at the end of NM 15, 45 miles north of Silver City. […]
THE SAN FRANCISCO RIVER BACKCOUNTRY
EXPLORING HISTORY AND WILDERNESS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO RIVER BACKCOUNTRY IN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO A Fascinating Landscape of Natural and Cultural History in the Old Southwest THE SAN FRANCISCO RIVER BACKCOUNTRY – A PLACE WHERE THE MAGNIFICENCE OF NATURE AND THE LEGENDS OF THE OLD SOUTHWEST ABOUND About 40 minutes north of Casitas de […]
A HIKE UP LITTLE DRY CREEK IN THE GILA FOREST
A THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY HIKE UP LITTLE DRY CREEK IN THE MOGOLLON MOUNTAINS OF THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST IN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO Finding Nature’s Treasure Where Early Miners and Prospectors Toiled A HIKE FOR THE OVERINDULGENT The day after Thanksgiving dawned bright, crisp, and clear, absolutely perfect for walking off those over indulgences of the previous […]
FOREST FIRES & CYCLES OF NATURAL CHANGE IN THE GILA WILDERNESS
THE WHITEWATER-BALDY COMPLEX FIRE:LARGEST FOREST FIRE IN NEW MEXICO’S RECORDED HISTORY It was early on the afternoon of May 16, 2012 while taking the trash from Casitas de Gila Guesthouses to the Gila transfer station, that one first noticed the fire about 25 miles away to the northwest: two small columns of smoke drifting lazily […]
ANCIENT CROPS IN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO
2000 YEARS OF HARVEST TIME ALONG BEAR CREEK HARVEST TIME AT THE CASITA GARDENS It’s late August and the rains of the 2013 Southwest Monsoon season have shown no sign of weakening. As of this morning, Casitas de Gila Guesthouses has had 8.54 inches of rain since the monsoons began on July 1. Despite the […]
FLUORITE MINING IN SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO
SEARCHING FOR CRYSTALS AND HISTORY IN THE GILA FLUORITE DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST NEW MEXICO THE GILA FLUORSPAR DISTRICT AND THE GILA FLUORSPAR MILL It was June of 1943 and the United States was now deep into its second year of involvement in World War II. All projections indicated that demand for fluorspar, an ore […]
A HIKE DOWN LITTLE DRY CREEK CANYON
A FASCINATING JOURNEY THROUGH DEEP CANYONS OF MULTICOLORED VOLCANIC ROCKS LINED WITH ANCIENT, WHITE-BARKED SYCAMORE It was around October 26, 1885, when the Chokonon Apache Chief Ulzana and about 20 warriors crossed the border into New Mexico from Mexico to begin a series of raids in New Mexico and Arizona. Their purpose was […]
