After our hike at Catwalk Recreational Area, we were both hungry, so we drove up to the Alma Grill for lunch. It was a bustling place with lots of characters, staff and customers. I had the best chile rellenos ever, and Julia loved her huevos rancheros. There was delicious melted Mexican cheese on everything.
As we finished up, an old rancher asked if their coffee was fresh. The waitress said with a big smile: “No, it’s not fresh, but we have coffee.” The old guy thought for a moment and ordered it anyway.
I was ready to head home for a nap after our filling meal, but Julia had other ideas. We were headed to the ghost town of Mogollan. This was a booming mining town in the 1890’s, but only a few people remain. It’s all private property so one can’t really explore the buildings. Two or three businesses remain but none were open during our visit.
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| Understatement: Road narrows |
Now, the real reason for including the ghost town in this post is to remind myself never to go visit this place again. The road up and down is a one lane road that is falling off the side of the mountain for significant stretches. There are few places to turn off, which means that someone is going to have to back up if meeting traffic.
We only met one car going up and none going down. If there was a pot of gold waiting in town, it might be worth it. But you can see from the photos that there is no pot of gold. Did it for Julia. Won’t be back again.
3 comments:
Another one of those "been there, done that, don't need to do it again" moments. Some I'm glad it did, some were more "meh", and some I could have done without. You never really know which untill afterwards, but the second place alternative is to never know
John,
I really like Greg's comment. Plus, you get MAJOR points for enduring adversity on Julia's behalf. Having now lived in NM for 50 years I'll weigh in on this one. Over that time i must've passed the turnoff to Mogollon 2 dozen times, the first back in '77 or thereabouts. That road's reputation and the reputation of the town at the end plus the fact that you have to come out the way you went in, kept me from making the trip.
I wonder what Bosque Bills Backroads has to say about that trip? I went looking and couldn't find any mention of him having visited Mogollon, but here's a trip you might consider. Bill's been to some beautiful places. You might look at his site for ideas...should u ever lack for your own.
https://bosquebill.blogspot.com/2021/11/season-finale-nm-az-october-2021-part-2.html?m=1
Did you pull the trailer up there and back?
The road was the best part of Mogollan but only because it was an adventure to drive and I didn't get into a pickle with oncoming traffic. I would never take the Lance or the Scamp up that road. It was challenging enough for this former flatlander in the Ram.
Michael, thanks for the Bosque Bill link. I know I've run across that blog somewhere, but now that NM is only a few hours away, I have a feeling that I'll be referencing that blog in the future.
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