Telephone Canyon

[LandCruisers4Life]

Drove back up Old Ore Road and on to Telephone Canyon. What a view up there..... I heard the Army had put up telephone lines back up through there around the 1st world war era.... Any idea why? I'd like to learn more about that and why the army was up there.

[mountaindocdanny]

About 10-11 miles into Telephone Canyon from the trailhead there is (as of 1/07) what appears to be the chassis of an old car. Must have come in with the army back in the day. Looking at the canyon today it is hard to imagine getting that thing in. I presume floods have altered the topography some.

[presidio]

I'd like to learn more about that and why the army was up there.

After the Villista attacks along the border in the mid-1910s in places like Columbus NM and Glenn Springs TX (now in the park), the Army, in the form of the Cavalry was posted at a variety of places in the region, including Castolon.

The military presence had a number of 'firsts' insomuch as it was the first time the military used motorized vehicles and aircraft in an offensive/defensive action. It became an R&D exercise of sorts for the later entry into WWI. It was a rather remarkable time of developmental transition....much like that portrayed in the unrelated movie topic of the Wild Bunch and several other westerns concerned with the passing of the western frontier.

[presidio]

I presume floods have altered the topography some.

Perhaps, but the early motor vehicles, while lacking reliability, were actually quite capable off-road machines with their considerable ground clearance and relatively light weight.

[Al]

Are you talking the view from Alto Relex or behind it up Telephone Canyon?  Pictures are worth a whole bunch of words!

Al