SW New Mexico Old Towns, Forts and Ruins

[ttora4runner]

Spent a few days exploring SW New Mexico on my way back to Arizona for Christmas, checking out a few areas/sites that I've wanted to visit for awhile but hadn't had a chance to.

First stop on the way down was the old townsite of San Rita later change to Riley, New Mexico.





I'm not sure if these two structures are part of the old town or not. Right after these structures is the first river crossing, thankfully, it was pretty shallow.


2nd crossing to reach the townsite There is a 3rd right after this and an alternate way around behind the previous two structures.

 

[ttora4runner]

The old church












If you look at the upper left of the church the wall is starting to crumble - I wonder how long it will last before it fails and takes the corner of the building with it.


Couldn't find a direct way back to structure without doing some hiking though the brush.


The newer church and cemetary

 

[ttora4runner]

Next stop for the day was the site of old Fort Craig before heading over to Silver City, New Mexico.

There's not a whole lot left of the Fort minus a few walls and foundations. Plaques are around the majority of the site.

 

[ttora4runner]

Spent about a hour walking the trail and checking out the plaques before heading out - had the area to myself.

 

[ttora4runner]

The following day I headed out early to check out the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument - the trail to the dwellings don't open till 9 am but it takes a minute to drive back to it.

The trail to the dwellings is a fairly easy mile loop but there are a number of stairs you have to up. Again, I had the trail to myself with a small tour group coming up behind me as I was leaving.

 

[ttora4runner]

Filled with old corn cobs.














Before heading out I stopped by the small visitor center to check out the displays and some more information on the area before heading further south to my last destination for the trip.

There's a few campgrounds in the area and a number of hiking trails to check out, maybe at some point I'll head back to the area to hike the trails.

 

[ttora4runner]

The last stop for the day was the site of old Fort Cummings and the cemetery, which isn't a whole lot left.

On the trail.












There's 3 walls down in the brush that you can still see from the cemetery.
















The trail to this plaque was somewhat hidden in the weeds and I only noticed the tracks to it out of the corner of my eye as I was leaving.



Reminder to others


Spent about a hour checking out the area before heading back to Silver City for the night. All four of these sites were well worth the visit especially where there's not a whole lot of information available out there or reports of the areas. Which is somewhat of shame to see the history slowly fade away and people forgetting about them.



On to the next adventures in 2026.

 

[rcintx]

Great write up. Thanks for sharing. Need to plan a trip out there!

 

[AbleGuy]

Stunning photography! Very descriptive of your adventure.

Your inspiring thread of days long gone is the best thread posted in recent weeks.