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Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monumenttesty
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Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Rivers and Streams
A photo of the Gila River viewed from Route 15 enroute to the Cliff Dwellings

NPS Photo by Barry Nielsen

Gila River viewed from Route 15

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument lies at the confluence of the West and Middle Forks of the Gila River. At this point the rivers are usually less than fifty feet wide and about a foot deep. Hikers should be aware that during the rainy season of July-September, runoff from rains in distant canyons may create flash floods.

Gila River flow data maintained by US Geological Suvey

 
Cliff Dwelling Vigas  

Did You Know?
The stone axes made it challenging for the Mogollon to cut down trees for vigas (roof beams) in the Gila Cliff Dwellings. So, before chopping the tree trunks, they would burn a small fire around the base of the trunk to weaken it so their axes could cut it down more easily.

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Last Updated: July 25, 2006 at 00:23 EST