Mogollon

The town of Mogollon (pronounced Mug-e-yone) and surrounding mountains were named after Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollón who was the Governor of New Mexico from 1712 to 1715.

Pueblo Indians who abandoned the area in the early 14th century are known by the same name, the mountains were also inhabited by Apache Indians until the late 19th century.

Millions of dollars of gold and silver were produced by the mines in and around Mogollon the most famous being the Little Fannie Mine.

If the warning signs, sharp turns, steep grades, night travel discouraged, tyre chains may be needed in the winter and road not ploughed at night, don’t put you off Mogollon is 9 miles up NM 159.

Yes, that is the road, just one of the steep, narrow hairpin bends where you sincerely hope that nothing is coming the other way.

On the road you pass remnants of the old mines on the side of the mountain before descending into the town itself.

Main Street, Mogollon

I believe the general store below was built when the movie “My Name is Nobody” (although I’ve never actually heard of it) starring Henry Fonda was filmed in Mogollon.

NM 159 continues on to Willow Creek and Snow Lake as it climbs higher into the mountains the road becomes rougher and high clearance 4WD is recommended.

Mogollon has stores and a café that open from May to October but at this time of the year there are absolutely no facilities, mind you whatever the time of the year I wouldn’t rely on the only gas station we could see.

Have fun, we are!