“First time here?” he inquired affably. We told him it was our fourth visit to Silver City, but our first time on the trails above the town. “This is one of my favorite places,” he said. “I come here several times a week to play my guitar in the hills and hunt for amethysts. I’ll show you if you like.” As we studied the map, he started up the trail, strumming a Spanish tune on his guitar. We followed behind, intrigued by the music and his tale of amethysts.
The Many Treasures Of Silver City
Sure enough, about a mile up the trail he veered off into the scrub, reached beneath a large sagebrush, and dragged out a heavy maul he had hidden there. With a few swift blows, he laid open several large rocks, exposing lavender amethyst crystals within. “Take whatever you like,” he offered. Obviously, traveling with a rock collection isn’t practical for our lifestyle, but we couldn’t resist picking up a couple of amethyst chunks.
Silver City is awash with colorful landscapes, art, buildings, and people. The sky is cobalt, the perfect backdrop for the sagebrush and mesquite-covered hills. Vividly painted doors and windows adorn adobe buildings (many in various stages of decrepitude). Home to a disproportionate number of artists and galleries, the town has also somehow become a mecca for foodies—which makes no sense at all, given that it’s a long way from any major or even minor metropolis.
Gourmet Adventures In Silver City
Colorful locals (in addition to our amethyst benefactor) include Jake, the owner/chef at Café 1zero6. He sports full sleeve tattoos, decorates with Buddhist/Hindu/Bollywood flair, and cooks delicious creative fusion cuisine three times a week. We plan our visits to Silver City so that we can be sure to have a meal there (the small restaurant is open only on weekends).
Another evening, we had a unique dinner at The Curious Kumquat, crafted of local wild foods from the nearby Gila Wilderness. Our six-course tasting menu included artfully presented and delicious offerings made with spring cattails, acorns, watercress, wild mushrooms, amaranth, nettles and more, along with locally raised meats and vegetables. (As of 2023, neither of the restaurants exists. The owners have moved on to other pursuits. But knowing Silver City, other interesting options have arisen.)
Hiking Around Silver City
In an attempt to balance our eating adventures, we hiked the lovely nearby 3-mile Dragonfly Loop Trail as well as several trails on Boston Hill above the town.
The Dragonfly Petroglyph
Day Trip To The Gila Wilderness
We also made a day trip through the Mimbres Valley to the Gila Wilderness. Our plan included hiking to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and to Lightfeather Hot Springs. It’s a three-mile round trip easy hike on the Gila River that involves two river crossings.
Trail of the Mountain Spirits Byway
We enjoyed a relaxing and fun week in Silver City filled with all kinds of colorful adventures. We’ll be back—there’s always more to explore, and there’s no telling what kinds of unexpected treasures await us on the trail (and in the restaurants).
Where We Stayed
This visit, we stayed at Manzano’s RV Park, just a few miles outside of town. It’s a small, family-run park, with large sites and attractive desert landscaping. Full-hookups, excellent free internet, good Verizon; $30 per night. It’s very homey, with a house on the property that serves as the clubhouse/laundry/bathhouse.
Interesting food, people and hot springs. Looks like a great stop.
We always enjoy Silver City, Debbie. The last time we were here a couple of years ago we happened upon the Blues Festival (the last weekend in May). We’d like to return for that!
Now I know why some friends have suggested Silver City as one of our stops. Very colorful town!
Amethyst is my birth stone :)
Great shot of the Painted Redstart and the first time I saw it was when we were birding in Ft Morgan, AL.
ML, I think the first time I saw a Painted Redstart was when we were birding together in Ft. Morgan, too. You need to go to Silver City and find an amethyst on the trail! I think you’ll enjoy the town.
one of the great things about our lifestyle is running into some of the colorful locals
I agree! One of my favorite things about our travels is meeting local folks. It definitely enriches our experience. Sometimes even with amethysts. :-)
We spent a month in Silver City in 2013 and fell in love with this cool little town too. You captured its vibrant flavor well!
Thanks, Lisa! Silver City has a lot to offer—we could easily spend a month here. Just wandering around the town is fun and it’s so great to have good hiking in the hills above town.
OK Silver City is on the list! :)
Heading for Grayling, Mich next week to see the Kirtland Warblers. Safe Travels
Definitely put Silver City on your list, Diana! We saw Red-faced Warblers in the Gila National Forest, but didn’t get great photos. So cool that you’re headed to see the Kirtland Warblers. That’s on our list!
Thank you for a wonderful tour of Silver City. We’ve made several attempts to visit this eclectic little town, but our timing with the weather has always been off. We’ll try again near the end of February and perhaps will run into strumming amethyst man… I love the purple stone.
Ingrid, I think you would really enjoy Silver City. It’s such a fun place for photography! I hope you run into the strumming amethyst man when you’re there. February will be cold, but I’m sure it will still be beautiful.
This looks like a place we could spend lots of time. I love the colorful town and then to have so much hiking near by calls to me:) What an interesting character to meet along the trail. Glad you took a small amethyst along:) I probably would have had a backpack full…haha! When did pass through here? I am thinking NM might be nice for next spring!?
Pam, we were in Silver City the first week of May and the weather was great. I think you guys would really like it—we love the combination of a fun little town plus easy access to hiking. There’s a lot more to explore in the Gila National Forest, but it’s quite a drive on some crazy twisting roads (although beautiful). And there are also lots of trails with 10-15 miles of town. We just ran out of time!
I was tempted to load up my backpack with those beautiful amethyst rocks—but I limited myself to two big chunks (one for us, and one for our daughter). :-)
At first read I thought the guy on the trail wore nothing but the duct tape shoes, hat and guitar…like (your uncle according to John) the book seller in Quartsite! But photos say differently! “Intriged by music and amethysts” should be a byline! Love the pictures you create and share with your words.
Haha, John is so bad! He knows the famed naked bookseller isn’t my uncle! (Although I do have an uncle who lives part time in Quartzsite.) So glad you enjoyed the tale of music and amethysts, Diana. :-)
Another great place I’ve never heard of. Although I seem to be the only one who hasn’t. Really colorful and the food sounds amazing. I sure wish I had the time to spend a month in so many different spots. Your view from above what I am now calling the amethyst trail (probably my very favorite stone) is really terrific. Great looking theater. Do they still use it? Tell Eric I love the picture of him smiling in the cafe. The Gila Cliff Dwellings are on my list so perhaps I would have run into this cute town. Love the picture of you climbing up and of the river crossing. I’m partial to river crossings where I get my feet wet. You do find the neatest places.
Good idea, Sherry—we’ll call it “the amethyst trail.” :-) I hope you guys get to Silver City. You’ll like it. I think the El Sol Theatre is being renovated, with plans to reopen it as a performing arts venue. It’s a vibrant town!
We really enjoyed our visit to Silver City but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate for any hikes, too much snow and ice. The Gila Cliff Dwellings NM was closed as well. We will definitely need to go back. Thanks for all the great tips!
You must have been there in the winter, LuAnn. It sounds like it was really cold! Should you return, I know you would enjoy either spring or fall. We’ve been in both seasons, and the weather was gorgeous. We need to go back, too—there’s a lot more hiking we want to do! :-)
How wonderful to be serenaded on the trail! Colorful towns with colorful locals are the very best :-) Love you sitting in the water – looks so refreshing. Bill’s mom was born in Silver City!
Jodee, I have a particular love of colorful towns and colorful people. :-) Since Bill’s mom was born in Silver City, you really must put it on your list! (Plus it’s such a cool town.)
Thanks for this lovely post on such an interesting and colorful place. Its been on my list, too, but we haven’t managed to get there between timing and weather. This fall (after the balloon festival) we may be in the area. How are the roads getting there?
Sue, if you’re coming from Albuquerque, you may want to consider an alternate route, instead of the shortest route which takes you through the mountains on a twisty road with lots of elevation gain. All other roads to Silver City are good. :-) It’s worth the effort! Be sure to visit the museum at the University—fabulous collection of Mimbres pottery.
so, no rt. 152 then……
And another place to highlight on my map. Plans to go east again to visit our daughter next spring, so we might have to stop by there. We leave on Friday for our journey to Maine.
Safe travels,
Pam
Silver City is well worth a stop, Pam. I’m happy you’re enjoying our trip west, to give you some ideas for a trip east. :-) Enjoy your journey to Maine! Hope you’ll be blogging about it—Maine is on our list of places to go.
Howdy Laurel & Eric – holy cow, the town sure has changed a lot since the 1960s when my parents and I would travel back there in the summers to visit grandparents. You both take terrific photos, be safe and look forward to your next ePostcard.
P.S. Oh, what is the name of your black cat??
How cool, that your grandparents were in Silver City back in the 60’s! I’ll bet you would find it interesting to see how things have changed since then. So glad you’re enjoying our photos, Rick. (Our kitty was Spot, named by our daughter for the white spot on her belly. She lived to the venerable age of 19-and-a half, and started traveling with us at age 18. She was a great traveler and companion.)
We may have to check this out one of these days. Love the smiling Eric photo!
Brenda, I have to catch him off guard—if he knows I’m taking his photo, he gets a serious look on!
I was looking at your New Mexico photos. I’ve been to Hatch (through it) Alb, Santa Fe, Taos. But never Silver City. Now I want to go there. I’m going to bring a sledge hammer and look for gems!!!
Christine, Silver City is one of our favorite little towns. Hiking the trail above town is beautiful — and definitely bring your sledge hammer for the amethysts! :-))