The 2016 Pecos Conference was held in a remote part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, southwest of Alpine, Arizona. The white tent in the open field was where most of the lectures were held.

The 2016 Pecos Conference

(With Some Rock Art Thrown In For Good Measure!)

Prologue…

My visit to the 2015 Pecos Conference was pretty much a bust due to me cutting off part of my left index finger, so I decided to give it a try again in 2016.  One of the unique things about the Pecos Conference is its informality.  A big part of that informality is that the Conference is held completely outdoors, at remote locations where everyone camps and the lectures are held in a large tent. The 2016 Conference was held in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, southwest of Alpine, Arizona.  Alpine is 8, 050 feet above sea level, so I knew the weather would be mild.  I typically plan to visit archaeological sites on the drive out and the drive back, usually rock art sites.  In looking at the map, I decided to visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument on the trip out.  So, here we go!

First Stop, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument…

The 2016 Conference was scheduled for August 4 (Thursday) through August 6 (Saturday).  I left the lake early on the morning of Tuesday, August 2, 2016 and headed west.  I made a stop at Balmorhea State Park late that morning to stretch my legs.  I hadn’t been to this quaint little park since I was a child.  I found the park to be rather run down, but there was almost no one there and I had a nice walk to break up the long hours of driving.  And, as I often do when I head out west, I stopped at Whole Foods in El Paso, to stock up on some edible supplies (mainly their chicken salad and some avocados, which I love!).  I drove to my favorite little town in New Mexico, Deming, where I spent the night.  The next morning I headed north on Highway 180 to Silver City, where I hit NM 15 for the beautiful drive up (then down) to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument–  the views were stunning!

Silver City is at 5,895 feet and the drive up Road 13 goes up much higher before dropping back down to Gila Nat. Mon. at 5,700 feet.
The high point of Road 13 was literally in the clouds and the views were stunning!

It was late morning by the time I reached the Monument.  I checked in at the Visitor Center, then hiked to the Cliff Dwelling ruins.  The structures there are in large cave-like alcoves and are quite impressive.  Many of the structures have been stabilized, but much of the original work remains.  The trail winds through (or past) four large open caves which are connected, and ladders and stairs permit entry into most of the caves.  It is a very interesting place, and an opportunity to see impressive ruins up close. 

Signage at the entrance to the Monument.
View of the open caves and ruins from the approach trail.
Note the impressive T-shaped door.
Ruins inside one of the caves.
I believe this was the third, or next to last, cave.

I did not see a lot of rock art at the ruins themselves.  There were a few red pictographs, but no elaborate panels of art.  

This was the first pictograph I saw, high up on a cave wall/ceiling above some of the ruins.
This one was badly degraded, but enough was left to identify it as an anthropomorph.

After visiting the Cliff Dwelling ruins, I hiked a trail near the Lower Scorpion Campground that one of the park rangers said had some rock art.  Sure enough, I found quite a few red pictographs on that trail, as well as a small ruin.  The rangers also said there is more to see on the trail along the West Fork of the Gila River but, unfortunately, I didn’t have time to make that much longer hike.  A good excuse to come back some day!  For the complete gallery of rock art photos I took at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, look here. 

The first pictographs I saw along the trail near the Lower Scorpion Campground.
Another panel along the trail.
An interesting and vibrant pictograph panel.
A small ruin I ran across near the trail.

On To The 2016 Pecos Conference…

After finishing up at the National Monument, I headed back down to Silver City and ultimately to the Pecos Conference.  Instead of taking NM 15 to Silver City I  decided to take NM 35 so I could see some different scenery in general, and  Lake Roberts in particular.  There are some pictographs on a trail near the lake but I didn’t have time to make that hike.  I did stop briefly at a Mimbres habitation site near the lake and the Mattocks Ruin site south of the town of Mimbres.

The habitation site near Lake Roberts.
The roadside sign at the Mattocks Ruins.
The informational sign at the trailhead of the Mattocks Ruins.

After my visit to Mattocks Ruins I made my way back to Silver City where I hit State Hwy 180 which took me all the way to Alpine, Arizona.  The Conference had set up a place in Alpine for the conference participants to pick up their packets and directions to the campsite and main conference tents.  I then headed to the site, which was pretty remote and reached by dirt forest roads.  Once there I picked out a camping spot and set up camp where I would spend three nights.  My nearest neighbors were two archaeologists from the Big Bend region– one from Big Bend Ranch State Park and one from the Center for Big Bend Studies.  I enjoyed sitting around the campfire with them at night and spinning yarns, some of which were maybe even true!  I enjoyed the conference and the lectures– it was time well spent.  Unfortunately there was quite a bit of rain the last two days and it was quite cool at times (elevation, 8,050 feet).  I almost got stuck when I left my campsite, but Kaku finally got me out of there!

Google Earth view of the 2016 Pecos Conference site. It took several dirt roads to get to it from Alpine!
The two main tents at the 2016 Pecos Conference in the Apache-Sitgreaves Nation Forest of Arizona.
Volunteers hawking t-shirts and signing in late-comers.
Home sweet home at the Pecos Conference. It was great sleeping at night-- cool temps and fragrant pines!
The syllabus board had abstracts of the various presenters at the conference.

First Stop On the Way Home:  Lyman Lake Petroglyph Site…

I left the Pecos Conference late morning on Saturday, August 6, 2016.  I headed north to Lyman Lake State Park near St. Johns, Arizona.  When I got to the park I headed over to the Peninsula Petroglyph Trail where I spent a few hours exploring the rock art.  To see the gallery of all the photos I took at Lyman Lake, look here. There is reportedly rock art on the other side of the lake as well (called “The Ultimate Petroglyph Trail), so someday I plan to revisit Lyman Lake with my kayak!

Kaku and Kaku2 at Lyman Lake near the trailhead. Awfull muddy from our escape from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
Many consider this the signature panel at Lyman Lake. Can you spot the figure giving birth?
A brochure I picked up at the Visitor Center purports to explain the meaning of the panel in the photo above.
Another interesting panel at Lyman Lake.
Someone spent a lot of time at this spot-- see the incised marks?

One Last Stop at the Magnificent Three Rivers Petroglyph Site…


I made one last stop at Three Rivers on the way home.  This was my second time to visit this site.  The year before, I stopped here and hiked from the beginning of the trail, ie the south end of the ridge.  This time around I hiked along the east base of the ridge until I reached the north end of the ridge, where I began exploring for petroglyphs.  As a result, I saw many different panels that I saw on my first trip.  I am sure I will continue to visit here as long as I am physically able to climb around the boulder strewn ridge– it is the kind of place where you ALLWAYS find something new!  To see my complete gallery of images from Three Rivers, look here. 

In some parts of the Three Rivers site, every boulder contains something unique and interesting.
Some interesting creations here!
I call this one "The Standard Bearer" panel.
Not sure what to make of this one! much food for thought here...
Outstanding element!

Epilogue

I enjoyed this little trip!  Camping in the cool confines of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest was just what I needed after the long, hot summer in Texas.  I also really enjoyed the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, as well as Lyman Lake and Three Rivers.  I am so grateful that I continue to enjoy the good health and financial resources to make trips such as this.  And I am most grateful for the love and generosity of my wife Dorothy!  Until next time!