Safety on Cliff Dweller Trail
To visit the cliff dwellings, you will hike a one-mile loop trail. The trail climbs 180 feet above the canyon floor to an elevation close to 6000 feet. Allow at least one to two hours for the round-trip hike. The trail is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The trail to the dwellings is steep and rocky in places and can be muddy or icy at times. Wear sturdy shoes, pace yourself, take time to enjoy the surrounding nature, use the benches if needed, and carry water. There are views of some of the cliff dwellings after a 1/4-mile hike in the canyon bottom before the steep rocky climb begins.
To ensure visitor safety and protect your valuable resource, everyone is asked to observe the following rules when visiting the Monument:
- No pets are allowed on the trail. Complimentary kennels are available behind the Trailhead Bookstore
- No food, gum, candy, tobacco products, or any other sweet scents are allowed on the trail or in the dwellings. Packrats are a destructive force that should be discouraged
- Water is welcomed and encouraged
- Please do not touch the walls unless warranted for personal safety
- Stay on the trail at all times
- If an artifact is found, do not touch it. Report it and its position to the nearest ranger. NEVER move or remove it from where it is found
Wildlife Safety
The surrounding Gila Wilderness and Gila National Forest are home to both Black Bears and Mountain Lions (Cougars). Encounters with these predators are rare but visitors should take precautions while visiting.
Mountain Lions
Attacks by Mountain lions are extremely rare but the following is helpful information to know. Running by either humans or animals can trigger an attack. Individuals are more vulnerable than groups. Mountain lions are most active at dusk and dawn. Mountain lions can be dangerous; being smart, cautious, and aware may prevent incident or attacks. Use the following tips while hiking in the area.
Don't Run
- If you see a Mountain lion, face it and slowly back away
- DO NOT run or play dead
- Pick up small children immediately and calm them
- Leave room for the Mountain lion to escape, do not approach
- Make noise, make yourself look larger, lift arms up and shout loudly
- If the Mountain lion attacks, fight back hard with sticks, stone, your backpack, etc.
Be Alert
- Do not approach dead animals - Mountain lions defend their prey
- Hike in groups and make enough noise to prevent surprising a Mountain lion
- Carry a walking stick and bear pepper spray
- Keep pets leashed
Parents
- Keep children close at hand
- Don't let children get ahead or fall behind
Black Bears
When Hiking
- Make noise when you hike to avoid catching a bear unaware
- Hike in groups of 3 or more whenever possible, large groups naturally make more noise
- Consider carrying bear pepper spray. If you have it keep it where it is easy to reach quickly such as on your belt, not in your backpack where it will be difficult to find and use in a timely manner
If you see a Black Bear
- STAY CALM
- Keep children and pets close to you and under your physical control, if possible move them to a vehicle or indoors
- Face the bear and back away slowly, NEVER RUN
- Avoid startling the bear by talking softly to it and refrain from any sudden movements
- Be aware of the presence of cubs, Never come between a mama bear and her cubs
- If a Black bear attacks, fight back aggressively
Camping Etiquette
- NEVER feed or offer food to a bear
- DO NOT store food or scented items including toothpaste, gun, shampoo, baby wipes, lip balm, etc. in or near your tent
- For items with a scent such as food or toiletries, take out only those items that you need and than restore them immediately after use
- Store all items that are not in use in a vehicle, bear proof container or plan to hang a bag with these items in it. If your scented items are in a bag hang it at least 10 feet off the grounds and at least 4 feet horizontally from other trees
- Store pet food and feeding bowls in airtight containers
- Set up a separate cooking site 30-50 yards from your campsite
- Keep a clean camp. Wash dishes as soon as possible, well away from your tent.
- Change clothes after you have cooked. Store clothes exposed to cooking odors with your other scented items
