fort cummings

A very historic area. Quite a bit of the ruins are still visible and the spring house is in excellent condition yet! Very interesting place to see!

I guess the roads have changed a little since the last review. From the village of Nutt, where NM27 and NM26 split off, travel approximately 14 miles SW on NM26. Turn NW on Luna County road 19, which is labeled Cooks Canyon Road. There are a house trailer, a corral, and some outbuildings at the intersection. If you miss it, you will see county road 18 in about a mile, turn around . . . Once you’re on Cooks Canyon Road for about 200 yards you will see a faded sign indicating this is county road 19. In approximately half a mile, you will see a dirt track leading to the left. It isn’t much of a road, but it’s the correct one without going through private property (If you stay on Cooks Canyon Road you’ll end up at the Hayes ranch – they’re nice people but probably don’t need too many lost travelers). Once on this dirt track, proceed about 6 miles to reach the ruins. A word of caution here: the track doesn’t necessitate 4WD, but it does necessitate good tires and a real spare – some of it traverses some very jagged rocks. BLM has nicely built some signs with pictures of the old fort, indicating what you’re looking at. Bring food, water, etc. and drive slowly, getting there and back is half the fun!

I suggest you have a pick-up or jeep if you plan to visit Ft. Cummings, 15 miles northeast of Deming, NM. This fort was manned by Buffalo Soldiers, and is located on the Butterfield Trail. It is near Massacre Canyon, the most dangerous section of the Butterfield Trail. Some adobe walls still exist, as does the graveyard and springhouse. Always, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes.

If you like outdoorsy adventures, the trek to Fort Cummings and the informational signs along the way will definitely be enjoyable. The road isn't terrible, but if there's been any rain lately, it gets sloppy fast. Travel north of Deming on Hwy 26 towards Hatch, and at Mile Marker 15, looks for a road off to your left which is called "Cooke's Peak Road" (a little ways down the road, you'll see a sign that says "County Road A019". The road is right next to a ranch house so that's your landmark. You'll pass the ranch house and go for less than a mile, when you'll cross a cattleguard. As soon as you cross the cattleguard, take the road off to your left that follows a fenceline. This will keep you on public instead of private property. Along the way, there are several places to stop and read informational signs about life at Fort Cummings. Keep your eye out for these signs, which are along the road but can be missed if you're goggling around like I do. For a great day trip, combine Fort Cummings with going to see the Indian petroglyphs in the Pony Hills or Frying Pan Canyon.

A movie should be made about the history of this place and the surrounding country. It is a bit out of the way but well worth the trip. Be prepared for a fairly long bumpy dirt road. Bring a camera!

Interesting place that is off the beaten path. Many people have never been here and don't even know of its existence.

Extremely interesting if you are into southwest history.. Difficult to get to, and that is one reason it is so cool.. likely when you visit there will be nobody else there. It is in a spectacular setting and the ruins are picturesque.

To get there, take HWY 26 N, to County Road A019. The county road is a dirt road and you will need a vehicle with high clearance. After the rainy season, you may need a four wheel drive with high clearance. It is really sketchy getting through here and the "road" isn't marked very well. At the first "Y" go right. At the second "Y" go left. The next time the road seperates, you ought to be able to see the ruins. We took a car with low clearance and it took us several hours to go th e 30 or so miles. It may have been less, but it seemed like more. The ruins themselves are not protected in any way. Also, some of the land is private. There are some signs with info on the area when you get there. There are some parts of walls remaining. The building protecting the spring is intact. Overall, pretty interesting site and good for a day trip in the area (just make sure you leave the street car at home and take something with some ground clearance - like we didn't). Don't know why they chose to leave these ruins to erode. Possibly because of it's remoteness. There are lesser, but better protected ruins closer to the cities. Fort Cummings was part of the Butterfield Stage Route. Cooke's Spring was a popular watering spot along the route. The Fort was erected nearby to protect the spring, and for soldiers to accompany travelers through Cooke's Pass.