Latest Stories

Michael’s Gila Nature Blog

Cooney's Tomb, Alma, New Mexico.

There’s so much history along the Mineral Creek Trail, near Alma, New Mexico! The Old West comes alive in this Pioneer Story from the WPA Federal Writers’ Project.   Here is the eye-witness account of the Alma Massacre by Agnes Meader, a young girl, who was witness to a battle in Southwest New Mexico in […]

The Narrows, rock slot canyon, on Mineral Creek Trail.

The Mineral Creek trail, located off of Route 180 in Alma, is a favorite hike of guests at Casitas de Gila. It is a beautiful hike, though one must be aware of the weather because it is a slot canyon. And there is so much history there! On September 2, 1877, the Apache Chief Victorio, […]

Paradise Overlook View

A High-Desert Nature Hike for guests at Casitas de Gila Guesthouses to a Mountaintop Vista Overlooking the Gila National Forest and the Gila Wilderness, in Southwest New Mexico.    Hiking in Nature, regardless of where it is undertaken, is a simple pleasure that is always good for the body as well as the soul. However, […]

Broad-tailed hummingbird at feeder.

  August is High Season for Hummingbirds and Butterfliesat Casitas de Gila Guesthouses   THE BEAR CREEK NATURE PRESERVE In 1999, the Bear Creek Nature Preserve was created and set aside in Bear Creek Canyon at Casitas de Gila Guesthouses. Initially comprising some 70 acres, the Reserve was gradually enlarged to 265 acres. Seven miles […]

Soaptree Yucca flowers

These Iconic Plants of Southern New Mexico WereNature’s Grocery Store, Pharmacy, Fabric Shop, and Hardware Storefor the Native Americans of Southwest New Mexico SHOWTIME IN THE HIGH CHIHUAHUAN DESERT Beginning sometime in June, and generally peaking in early July, the Juniper and Piñon dominated High Chihuahuan Desert landscape surrounding Casitas de Gila Guesthouses often delights […]

scarlet globemallow and desert dandelion

Following a Moist Late Winter and Early Spring, an Amazing Extravagance of Wildflowers Emerges at Casitas de Gila Guesthouses in Southwest New Mexico   THE EXCEPTIONAL BLOOMING OF SPRING FLOWERS AFTER A WET LATE WINTER When there is rain in Southwest New Mexico during the late winter months of January and February and the spring […]