High Desert

Dry arroyos, grasses and shrubs are hallmarks of Gila's high desert region.

NPS Photo by Blake Metcalf

 

Desert vistas such as this can be seen throughout the Gila.

NPS Photo

High and Dry

Although Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is administratively part of the Sonoran Desert Network, it lies geographically on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert. The Chihuahuan is the largest desert in North America, comprising almost 175,000 square miles across the southern United States and Mexico. It's recognized as a "cold" desert with an average daily temperature of around 70°F, mostly due to its elevation which averages between 3,500 and 5,000 feet above sea level with a lowest point of about 1,000 feet.

The coolness of the Chihuahuan and the land-locked position of the Gila mean that the area receives a bit more precipitation than other deserts in the world, but this increased precipitation comes in the form of snow. Not much snow can be expected each year, however, and winter temperatures still remain mild compared to nearby alpine areas.

A common misconception about desert ecosystems is that they are barren and desolate places.This is far from true, as you can see in the vast spectrum of plants and wildlife hosted by the Gila.

The dominant plant in the Chihuahuan Desert is sage; this iconic brush can be found on canyon slopes and river beds throughout the area. The Gila is also home to a number of desert animals including scorpions, jackrabbits, countless reptiles and world-famous adversaries, the coyote and the roadrunner.

There is one desert creature you would expect to find in the Gila but won't: the Gila monster is an animal that lives in lowland desert areas. The "cold" high desert just isn't suitable.

 

The arid desert landscape hosts an abundance of colorful lifeforms.

NPS Photos