We braved the big storm this morning and were rewarded with a hike of astonishing beauty along a lesser known loop at Dragonfly. The creek was flowing(!) and we reveled in the deeply textured sky and the play of light and shadow. #GilaHikers
We were very impressed by the amount of brush that had been cleared away to prevent the fire from jumping Sawmill Wagon Road. In addition to protecting the trail system and Fort Bayard, it also improved the views! Profound gratitude for our brilliant firefighters! #GilaHikers
The Fort Bayard trail system has reopened so we went out to have a look. A burn scar is visible along a ridge in the Piños Altos range, and some trees along Sawmill Wagon Road were scorched, but otherwise the area looked amazingly healthy. Best news is that Big Tree survived the fire. #GilaHikers
We hiked Sacaton Creek, normally a permanent stream with a sizable waterfall. But today? Not a drop of water, despite the recent rains. We watched the Copperas Fire(?) blow up on the way home. Fire Season isn't over. Not yet. And the monsoon is taking a timeout. #GilaWilderness #GilaHikers
Dreamy hike in Railroad Canyon. All Living Things gratefully inhaling cool, damp air, sweetened with the scents of bergamot and vanilla. And two new members! Welcome Jenny and Willow! #GilaHikers
Angel ... in the morning. Early am hike on the Angel Loop. Some smoke, but no sign of the Trout Fire. 😀 Century plants in dayglo green and yellow. "GOMEZ PK PARING LOT". I guess due to budget cuts, there was only enough for one K in the sign-making budget. 🤪 #GilaHikers
Perfect weather for a hike on the CDT Classic south from Sapillo Campground. A good long climb rewarded with fantastic views of the Gila Wilderness. Next up: Lunch at Oluv's. #GilaHikers
Brooding skies and a yellow grass mesa.
Gila Hikers near Fort Bayard.
Old water tower and hospital at Fort Bayard.
Nice 4.3-mile loop along Twin Sisters Creek and through Fort Bayard, followed by pizza and beer at #OpenSpaceBrewery #GilaHikers
Tiny Melanie Hot Springs, just big enough for two close friends.
Our group by a giant Arizona sycamore.
The view upstream from a small knoll.
Dennis finds the curious rock where we dropped a pin three years ago. Is it a meteorite?
Stretched a 6-mile hike to around 9 miles with tantalizing side trips to a small hot spring and an old mine. The Gila River in all its glory, flowing strong and clear, and accented by giant white-barked sycamores bursting out in electric lime green foliage. #GilaHikers
Selfie fail!
Lunch rock overlooking Jaybird Canyon.
Glorious Pondo forest with a pine straw trail.
Our track. 3.6 miles, 900' +/-.
Found a new trail -- Jaybird Canyon. Perfect warm weather moderate hike close to town. Couple of good climbs, glorious Pondo forest and great views. Welcome to the gang, Havi! #GilaHikers
Lovely silvery light in the canyon.
Emerald green waterfall.
Dennis rock hopping.
Slot canyon with dark clouds and mist.
Mineral Creek, a perennial favorite. Quite a mix of conditions today -- chilly wind and scattered showers followed by 80° and sunny with 90% probably of clouds of green bugs. The trees are soaking up so much water that they transpire a fine mist. #GilaHikers #WaitingtoInhale
Dragged my bruised and battered a$$ out for a hike this morning. Angel Loop was a fine choice! #GilaHikers
#postcardsfordemocracy
Coffee get together at Susan & Stephan’s- sending 47 a message “You’re Fired” -400 postcards printed, trimmed & stamped! Thank you Vicki & Jene. Shout out to Marion #desertlavender #gilahikers
Camper near Saddle Rock.
Building a cairn.
Snow-capped Mogollon Mountains.
The soon-to-be-less Gnarly Trail.
View from 5800'. Clearly the Gnarly Trail (well-named) with Gila Trails. Fantastic views of the snow-capped Mogollons! Future route for #GilaHikers. A bit frisqué this morning (20° F). Dennis holding down the fort in camp. Expect dinner on the table and a glass of red wine on my return! 🍷
San Vicente Creek
The ferocious wind continues, gusting to 45 mph. We've been hunkered down, watching the stock market crash, and hoping our neighborhood doesn't catch fire. Managed a 4-mile hike this morning in the shelter of San Vicente Creek. Good for staving off the galloping anxiety. #GilaHikers
Cavorting in the sun on what turned out to be a gorgeous spring day. 6.6 miles RT/1200'+/- CDT north from Bear Mt Road. #GilaHikers
An unnamed deep and very colorful side canyon.
Passing up through a tunnel formed by a jumble of giant boulders.
Lunch in the shade of a rock shelter.
Navigating a narrow slot that gave up access to the top of the palisades.
More from Lower Gila Box. 1) Admiring the painted canyon. 2) Passage formed by giant boulders. 3) Lunch in the shade of a rock shelter. 4) Slipping through a slot that took us to the top of the palisades. #GilaHikers
Snow hike to the Dragonfly followed by an excellent lunch at Oluv's, the new restaurant in Mimbres. #gilahikers
North on the CDT with a wander among the rocky red open areas near Preacher's Point. Crisp air, lapis skies and patches of snow. Lovely! Thanks to Janett for the photo! #gilahikers
Gila River gushing through the narrows between silvery cottonwoods.
Alan at a bend in the river.
Alan, Ken, Ellen, Janett, Dennis and Sue at the bend in the river.
Lovely tree-lined shore below cliffs of gnarled volcanic tuff.
Lower Gila Box with the #GilaHikers. We hiked Spring-on-the-Bluff, then dropped down to the river and hiked up- and- downriver as far as we could go. Then we clawed our way up a side canyon and made our way back along the top of the ridge. Great views, weather and company!
A tuff "bridge" between the two prominences of Knight Peak.
Colorful rock with two hikers WAYY in the distance.
Gloppy volcanic tuff looks like it was twisted into a rope!
A few more from Knight Peak. #GilaHikers
Alan goes out on a ledge.
Zoomed in!
Sue checking an alternate route.
The back side of Knight Peak.
Knight Peak with Alan and Sue. Nice loop 100% off trail. And yes Alan really clawed his way to the apex of that pinnacle! #GilaHikers
