GATEWAYS
TO TO THE DIVIDE CDT Gateway Communities are welcoming destinations along the Continental Divide Trail for people from around the world looking to experience the CDT. We wanted to give communities a chance to tell us about a day in their homes — in their own words. From our Gateway Community Ambassadors and Advisory Committees, and file
SILVER CITY, NM Silver City, NM is located on the southern edge of The Gila National Wilderness. This town is home to about 10,000 residents and, at a 6,000-foot elevation, enjoys four mild seasons. Silver City is a great homebase to explore local history, arts and of course, The Gila mountains, Gila River and the CDT. A day in Silver City is filled with enjoying unique galleries, gift shops, local music, lively restaurants, relaxing coffee shops and homemade ice creams while exploring the streets with over 70 murals and buildings dating back to the 1870s and 1900s. Silver City offers plenty of green space for scenic PAGE 30
hikes including Boston Hill with its views of the town and the San Vincente Creek Trail. Just outside of town, walk through the history of Fort Bayard and the Dragonfly Trail, named after nearby petroglyphs. A single day in Silver City isn’t enough — so it’s no wonder that Silver City has so many choices to spend a few nights. Rest your head under the stars, pamper yourself in historic hotels, mountain lodges and cabins plus lodging for every budget and adventure. Be sure to stop by The Murray Ryan Visitor Center and the town’s hiking and biking shops for ideas on what Gila adventure to start with.
