Day Trip to Mogollon, NM

I highly recommend a trip to Mogollon, NM. It is about an hour and a half northwest of Silver City in the rugged Mogollon Mountains. The last 9 nail biting miles start when turn off of US 180 and quickly climb a narrow paved road (NM 159) up and over a steep ridge with a blind corner barely wide enough for 2 medium sized vehicles. Honking your horn prior to approaching this corner will help on coming vehicles know that you are on the other side. Just take your time and take in the breathtaking scenery. This quiet and quaint mining “ghost” town still boasts a small year round population and even welcomes visitors on Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer. The Purple Onion Cafe is the only place in town to chow down lunch and some wonderful pie. Surprisingly, a nicely appointed art gallery across the street is worth a look. You can also browse the Curios shop next door. The museum is a little lacking on education but still has an interesting entrance to an old mine. Be sure to visit the old cemetery above town up a rough gravel road if your vehicle has high enough clearance and you can begin to appreciate what kind of hardships were suffered by the local population a century or more ago. If you would like to stay awhile, check out the Silver Creek Inn.