While we were in the area, we took a side trip to Cliff Dwellings National monument and we’re really glad we did. These were apparently abandoned 700 years ago, and there were still ancient corn cobs on the floor where they prepared food. After being tourists we headed back to the alternate route to go down Little Bear Canyon and eventually reach Gila Middle Fork. Little Bear Canyon gave us a preview of what was to come with steep walls & high cliff faces. It opened into the river canyon and we knew we made the right choice to come this way in spite of the weather. After a few chilly river crossings in the early evening we stopped for the day on a high bank and made camp well before sunset.