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Looking for panoramic views and classic riverbed campsites? Spend a few days or more exploring two of the major tributaries of the Gila River starting at the gateway to the Gila Wilderness near the Gila Cliff dwellings. Marvel at the raw and primitive landscape that inspired Aldo Leopold to champion the cause of making the Gila the nations first wilderness. Follow in his footsteps as you explore scenic canyons and spiritual mesa tops. Your senses will be at full tilt as you make your way from desert trailheads in to lush river valleys. If you’re lucky, you might even see signs of the lobo (Mexican Gray Wolf) – or maybe, just maybe see lobo in person!
TOPOS: Gila Hot Springs, Little Turkey Park, and Woodland Park.
Wilderness Ranger District - Silver City, New Mexico
Guide Book: The Gila Wilderness: A Hiking Guide, by John A. Murray
Getting there-
Take NM 5 N from Silver City. At 26.2 miles bear left on NM 35. Follow road to Gila Cliff Dwellings located past lower and upper Scorpion CG.
Position Format:
Datum:
Tracks
Day 1
Distance: 8.95 mi
Points: 670
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
This is the hardest day with the bulk of the elevation gain.
Day Two
Distance: 7.40 mi
Points: 455
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Countless river crossings and a slight loss of elevation.
Day Three
Distance: 3.68 mi
Points: 293
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
A dry hike out.
Points of Interest
156-28 Junction
Location: 33.297577, -108.324379
Enjoy panoramic views of the canyon below as you start steep descent to large flat area called The Meadows.
157-729 Junction
Location: 33.272171, -108.259918
Follow Little Bear Canyon back to TJ Coral starting in beautiful slot canyon.
161-164-28 Junction
Location: 33.274517, -108.294144
Shorter trees on mesa tops afford little shade. Hike after spring runoff or in fall.
Camp One
Location: 33.304466, -108.319405
A smaller side canyon along dry Indian Creek offers more secluded camping.
Camp Two
Location: 33.266273, -108.259041
From this point on you can find good camping spots, but carry water with you because this is about the last place you will find any.
Descend to the Meadows
Location: 33.297237, -108.323898
The meadows is an obvious camping spot. It can be very busy. Look towards smaller side canyons for isolated camping.
Faint Sign
Location: 33.228672, -108.253113
It's a little hard to read, but sign actually indicates 1.5 miles back to West Fork. The road is about a mile.
Faint Trail
Location: 33.234867, -108.248184
An old, possibly abandoned trail that indicated it went to the VC was visible here. This trail would provide additional different loop possibilities.
Gila Cliff Dwellings
Location: 33.229382, -108.263985
Park here. You may want to take time before your hike to explore these ancient ruins.
Intersect TJ trail
Location: 33.274601, -108.293747
An optional loop is to follow trail 161 to this point rather than hike up the West Fork. This eliminates the road hike back to your car at the end of this loop.
Junction
Location: 33.244637, -108.291489
Dry hike to the meadows.
Little Bear Canyon Turn
Location: 33.271969, -108.259369
This is a shortcut back to TJ Coral where you will hike road back to your car.
If you continue to follow Middle Fork, stop at the hot springs, but you will have a much longer hike. The slot canyon at the begining of Little Bear is worth exploring.
Little Creek Junction
Location: 33.237343, -108.280396
This trail leads down EE Canhon towards little creek.
Looking NW.
Location: 33.297989, -108.322395
Enjoy panoramic views of the canyon.
Lunch spot
Location: 33.277748, -108.297752
Carry plenty of water across the mesa. None is available along the way.
Middle Fork
Location: 33.293865, -108.297874
Loose yourself and your count of river crossings, but keep an eye out for poison ivy and singing nettle.
One of many crossings
Location: 33.294140, -108.297409
During this hike, the river was at a historical low. Although no crossings were deeper than 2', high water marks above 4' were visible in places.
TJ Coral
Location: 33.227184, -108.251404
This is the end of the trail for this loop hike. Walk the road back to your car at the Cliff Dwellings parking lot.
Trail fork 151-28
Location: 33.244476, -108.291786
Start the bulk of the elevation gain – 2,782’. Climb out of the west fork canyon to dry mesa top leaving water behind until you reach middle fork.
Trail Junction
Location: 33.228588, -108.253204
You have the option of following trail back to the West Fork, but hiking the road is shorter.
VC Sign
Location: 33.234856, -108.247955
Sign indicates 1/2 mile to VC. Trail did not look well used, but navigation s/b easy if you decide to take this trail because you can almost see the VC from this point.
Wilde Grapes
Location: 33.236092, -108.278435
Keep an eye out for wild grapes that lurk around every corner when you are hiking along the riverbeds.
Wilderness Boundary
Location: 33.234886, -108.271996
Follow sandy trails as you pass through wide open spaces surrounded by alligator juniper and pinon trees
Wilderness Boundary
Location: 33.229939, -108.252121
Wilderness Boundary
Location: 33.235432, -108.271576
Wolf Country
Location: 33.229515, -108.265099
Although the chances of seeing lobo ar low, keep an eye and an ear out.
wpt 0261
Location: 33.253738, -108.250740
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