Gila National Forest: Ben Lilly Memorial & its Secret Waterfall

Hello friends! Sorry that it’s been a long time! It turns out that working graveyard shifts takes some getting used to! (i.e. my brain has been completely and utterly fried…for a month.)

I was looking through some pics today while feeding my Shutterfly addiction and I came across something I meant to post ages ago!

Ben Lilly Memorial is an interesting spot in the Gila National Forest. It’s not a hike, it’s a pile of natural rocks that’s earned the designation of a Memorial to the man who was known as “the last mountain man in the Southwest”. If you climb atop this giant pile of rocks you are rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.

(Interested in Silver City? Click here to see what else there is to do there!)

What You Need to Know:

Directions: (from Silver City) Take HWY 15 out of Silver City. Stay on HWY 15 when you come to the Pinos Altos. 2.6 miles past the Bear Creek Cabins, and after you pass the turnoff to Cherry Creek, you will come across a parking lot on your right that is situated at a sharp turn of the road. You really can’t miss it. Directly across from the parking lot is the beginning of the trail, pictured above.

Distance: I don’t know the exact distance, but I would say it’s hardly even a quarter mile to the monument. It can be seen from the parking lot.

Difficulty: The hike itself is easy. It may be more difficult to climb to the top of the Memorial, depending on your condition and if you are uneasy with heights.

Pets Ok?: Dogs are OK, as long as you are just hiking. I personally have never brought my dog, because after climbing to the top of the Memorial I’m positive she would lose her head worrying about me being out of her sight. (Because I’m in so much danger when I’m out of her sight.)

Crowds?: There are rarely other people here. You can always judge from the parking lot.

Fees/Permits?: Free, no permits necessary

Once you park and cross the street, stay on the path, which will start to look like nothing more than a water run-off. Soon you will come upon the stairs to the Memorial.

Climb up the stairs and walk to the right around the circumference of the rock. Continue to climb up and around the rock, and you will eventually come to a spot that you can climb up if you are athletic enough.

So, I’m pretty sure this would be an awesome place to come and campout. There are enough crevices at the top to protect a fire from the wind, if you make sure to bring enough firewood. It would also be a legit place to go stargazing because of its lack of light pollution!

Now I know what everyone is thinking…”What about the secret waterfall?????” When my husband and I first came up here, we both heard flowing water and saw the tell-tale line of Cottonwood trees in the canyon. Being the adventurous spirits that we are, we straight up trailblazed down the side of the mountain to see what we would find.

So what did free climbing down a rocky cliff teach me? That I’m somewhat-maybe afraid of rock climbing.

And by somewhat-maybe, I mean, I’m definitely afraid of rock climbing.

Now some of you may totally get your rocks off (no pun intended!) from climbing around a mountain like this, but for those of you who don’t, there’s an easier way to get to the waterfall without rock climbing. If you will go straight down from the actual Memorial rock, it will just be extremely steep dirt, without having to scramble on rocks. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.

Did I mention getting to the waterfall won’t be for everybody?

After what felt like the worst 30 minutes of my life, we were finally greeted with the sight below:

This was such a cool find! It’s completely secluded, and you couldn’t ask for a better summer hangout spot! Just bring something to play your iPod, drinks, snacks and towels and you’re good!

Even though I possibly almost had a breakdown on the way down, once I was here I was glad we came!

If nothing else, the Memorial is definitely something I would suggest seeing if you are in the area. I hope y’all are inspired to visit!

Let me know what y’all think! Have you been in the area?? Is there an easier way down to the waterfalls?? I wanna know!

Until next time!!