Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway

Many miles from roads and civilization, an outfitter passes majestic Ponderosa pines in the Gila Wilderness as the early morning fog lingers. Only the sounds of birdsong and the steady clip-clop of hooves fill the air.

Several hot air balloons begin inflating in the early morning light.

The dramatic vistas and solitude accessible from the Byway route are soothing and unforgettable. Tree-covered mountains ripple across the landscape as far as the eye can see.

The bright orange and territorial rufous hummingbird is one of several hummingbird species who pass through the Gila National Forest and the Lake Roberts area on their long migratory journeys.

The Gila River winds west toward Arizona, refreshing the bosque.

Visitors can see historical reenactments and other historical objects, like this horse-drawn wagon driven by Union soldiers.

The officers' quarters of the former US Army post at Fort Bayard remind the traveler of times past.

Lake Roberts shimmers in the afternoon sunshine.

Juniper dotted rolling hills are a backdrop to a small farm in the Mimbres Valley.

Chiricahua Apache, Joe Saenz, dances a traditional Apache dance in the 2005 Red Paint PowWow.

Looking from the Gila Wilderness Overlook, the Gila National Forest stands in stark contrast to the surrounding desert region.

Packing along the Gila River, the traveler pauses to sense the quiet on this riverside campground below jagged tan cliffs.

A Warbling Vireo perches on a tree branch during the last months of summer.

A traveler stands on the suspended Mogollon Catwalk between two rock faces.

Tourists sit along a wall on the top level of the Gila Cliff Dwellings.

The Poncho Villa State Park historical marker sits in a desert backdrop.

Three men stand on several of the massive stones in the City of Rocks State Park.

A city of large bolders stand silently in City of Rocks State Park.

Ducks races down chutes as the crowd cheers during the duck races in Deming, New Mexico.

The historical marker for Deming, New Mexico.

Chili pickers carry baskets to be unloaded into crates in Deming, New Mexico.

Tourists wander through the Gila Cliff Dwellings in the Gila National Forest.

Juan Quesada, master potter of Mata Ortiz, reveals another of his exquisite creations.

This Methodist-Episcopal church was built with Hearst money in 1898.

Imagine the Ancients using these stairs to go to and from their cliff homes.

Aspens turn golden in the autumn along the Continental Divde.

This view shows Gila Hot Springs and the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in the distance.

Looking out from one of the caves of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National monument, you can look across the canyon sensing your looking through the eyes of the prehistoric people who lived here 700 years ago.

The City of Rocks stone marker explains the creation of this geological oddity.

Four men walk in file through the City of Rocks State Park.

The international Tour de Gila bicycle race winding through the beautiful and challenging Gila National Forest draws sports enthusiasts from throughout the world.