Casa Malpais/Springerville/Sipe Wildlife

This portion of our trip centered about Springerville, which is about 60 miles east of Pinetop. En route on highway 360, one peaks out at about 9300 feet elevation.

Casa Malpais

Casa Malpais is owned and operated by the town of Springerville. Do call before making the trip over as they do not operate seven days a week, at least not during the time frame we were there. It's quite interesting and worth the visit.
 
Our guide was Mike Rising, a retired ranger. He gave us a great tour.
 
 
 
There are many indian pottery fragments on the site. Visitors are allowed to pick them up and examine them, but must return them to their original position.
 
Inside the Great Kiva
 
Viewing the pueblo ruins
 
Petroglyphs
 
 
 
Mark trudging up the narrow indian stairs to the top of the butte.
 
An overview from the butte of the ruins and what is called the calendar circle. The circle is believed to be a means of determining specific times of the year.
 
Where eagles used to build their nests
 
 

Springerville

In downtown Springerville next to the park, there is a museum which contains some cabins and interesting equipment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dru's stove
 
 
 
Jeff's canoe
 
Mark's stove, which he claims is far more valuable than Dru's.
 
A hay bailer
 
A Roosevelt Outhouse

Sipe Wildlife Area

South of Springerville about ten miles and then down a five mile graded gravel road, one discovers the Sipe Wildlife Area. We opted for a modest hike that took us past more indian ruins and a very scenic wildlife overview area. These indians ruins appear as significant as the Casa Malpais ruins. It's just that they haven't been researched as much and aren't as well known.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
An interesting pattern in one of the walls.
 
This is the desert and life can be cruel.
 
A rather spectacular view from the wildlife overlook.
 
 
 
Sun bleached desert wood.
 
 

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