Photo: John Everett Archaeology Service in Gila National Forest, New
Mexico Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09067A Price: $645 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 10 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: John Everett The Gila National Forest is located in southwestern New Mexico. The remote and rugged Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness Areas are within the forest, as well as the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. We will work with Forest Service archaeologists on recently identified cliff dwelling sites once occupied by the Mimbres Mogollon tribe, a contemporary of the Ancestral Puebloans that was highly developed from about 550-1350 CE. The rise and disappearance of this culture is a beguiling puzzle. The distinctive ceramic objects created by the Mimbres show amazing skill in shape and form, and their painted designs are truly unique. The Project  Photo: John Everett The Sierra Club has been assisting National Park and USFS archaeologists with archaeological surveys in the Southwest for several years. This will be the fourth Sierra Club service trip in the Gila National Forest. We will work with USFS archaeologists to stabilize survey, and document a very interesting cliff dwelling site near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Participants will assist the archaeologists in documenting the site using digital cameras, GPS units, and site description forms to establish a permanent record. In addition participants will be instructed in artifact stabilization techniques which will be used to preserve the integrity of the site. We will also be looking for potshards, stone tools, grinding stones, rock art, and additional habitation structures and granaries. Other artifacts could be metal cans, mining equipment, cabins, and other evidence of occupation during the turn of the 20th century. These finds will also be documented.
 Photo: Julie Koivula We will meet at our chosen campsite on the afternoon of the first day. Please plan on being available for our first meeting at 3 p.m. If you plan to arrive a day early, you may camp at the base campsite. Instructions for finding the campsite will be sent to each registered participant by the trip leader. The first afternoon will be dedicated to setting up camp, receiving a general outing orientation, exploring the area, and getting to know each other. On Monday morning, we will meet with the archaeologist for a briefing before we begin our work. Typically, a day will start with breakfast at 7 a.m. , and we'll leave camp around 8 a.m. after packing a lunch to eat in the field. We'll usually have some time each afternoon to rest, clean up, go exploring, or relax before dinner.  Photo: John Everett We generally take a day off in the middle of the week so that small groups with common interests can hike in the nearby wilderness areas, explore the cliff dwellings in the monument, visit hot springs, or participate in other activities. There is an excellent museum of Mimbres Mogollon artifacts located at Western New Mexico University in Silver City. Please plan on using your own vehicles or carpooling to access these different options. Those who wish to continue the archaeological work may be able to do so. On our last day there will be no organized activity after breakfast other than breaking camp. You can expect to be on the road by 9 a.m. Getting There The closest large airport is El Paso, Texas, which is about 190 miles southeast of our work site.
We will be car camping -- you may bring what ever gear you require to be comfortable. We will be tent camping adjacent to an established Forest Service residential area. Cooking will be done in a mobile home kitchen, complete with running water and electricity. While Port-a-Johns will be available in our camping area, a bathroom with shower is a short hike away. Cooking equipment and food are provided. The leaders take pride in providing appetizing and filling meals each day. Vegetarians will be accommodated. Participants with dietary restrictions, allergies, or requests are encouraged to discuss them with the leader. Each participant will be asked to volunteer to assist with preparation and clean up of several group meals. If you are on meal duty, you may be asked to carry water, chop vegetables, assist in the cooking, clean up the group cookware and utensils and put them away for the next meal.
Hiking to the worksite over uneven terrain can be physically challenging. Some sites are located on cliffs where steep climbs on loose rock and soil are required. In addition, site stabilization may require hauling earth and water up steep grades. Please be in good physical condition with the ability to handle daylong walks at a leisurely pace in such terrain.
Essentially this is luxury car camping so feel free to bring whatever equipment, special snacks, food and clothing you need to be comfortable. A complete packing list will be sent to registered participants. The weather in April is typically sunny and warm during the day but cool in the evenings and mornings. Minimum temperatures in April average around 30 degrees, while the highs average around 70. It's possible to have a storm come in and produce wind, rain, or even snow; so bring a two- or three-season tent, a warm sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, warm clothes, and rain gear. Cooking utensils, food, menus, recipes and instruction will be provided. Please bring your own cup, bowl, dishes, water bottles, personal utensils, and a hard plastic container for your lunch. All tools will be supplied by the USFS but many people like to bring their own compass, GPS, binoculars, and digital cameras for personal use. If you have these tools and want to bring and use them during the project, you are welcome to do so.
If you do some reading and research before coming, you will better know how to spend your free time. Websites
Books
Conservation The preservation of our national heritage at archaeological sites is a critical issue everywhere in the country. Often, when a member of the well-meaning public discovers a new site, interest in artifacts and ancient cultures distracts them from preserving the site. Curiosity turns into excavation and collection of artifacts eliminating any chance of archaeologists ever discovering the site's secrets and thus knowledge of the culture is lost forever. We will also discuss the role of fire in a healthy forest and other conservation issues. Please feel free to bring materials you want to share with the group on issues you feel are important.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Julie has always loved being in the outdoors and loves to hike, bike, canoe, kayak, ski and play tennis and golf. She retired after 34 years of teaching health and physical education and coaching tennis and golf. She leads on a variety of Sierra Club outings, including backpacking, cross-county, canoeing, service, cycling and archaeological survey trips. Julie is a First Aid/CPR instructor for the American Red Cross and has her wilderness first aid certificate. She recently became the Co-Chair for the Midwest Outings Subcommittee and also leads for Rocky Mountains and Southwest Service Subcommittees.E-mail: julieakoivula@sbcglobal.net General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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John Everett has been a Sierra Club member since 2003. He is retired after an executive career in the information systems industry, and lives in Batavia, Illinois. John is a graduate of the Sierra Club's national leadership training program and is certified in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR. While John's passion is cycling, he has participated in and served as a staff member on a number of Sierra Club national outings, including bicycling, hiking, camping, and service trips. Among his other interests are pre-Columbian cultures of the Southwest, and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.