April Gila Trails Update

In this Newsletter:

- Current Conditions

- Day Adventures

- Backcountry Adventures

- Trail Projects

- Wilderness Reading

- Give Grandly

Gila Wilderness Centennial Trail

Learn more about the Gila Wilderness Centennial Trail, designed by the Forest Service.

A wilderness organization called Wilderness Need, scouted this loop last November.

Learn about their experience and the Gila Centennial Trail.

It includes a narrative on their loop trip of the Gila Wilderness Centennial Trail in late November 2023, a sidebar on various trail/ area features and a map which includes trail routes, suggested additional routes or alternate routes, campsites, and photos.

Free PDF Map - Gila Wilderness Centennial Trail

The Forest Service created a free map of the Gila Wilderness Centennial on Avenza

24K

63k

Scorpion Campground Improvements

Improvements at the Upper and Lower Scorpion Campgrounds near the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument mean more privacy for campers and protection of the native plants growing there.

Thanks to the National Monument for these improvements.

Another Spring Flooding Update

The river levels have fluctuated up and down in the past month. Now, they are slowly trending back up as the day time temps increase snowmelt in high country.

The current river levels are too high for some people and okay for others. But this could change at any moment.

Remember that it is one thing to cross the river once, but on most river trails, you will cross the river multiple times. Higher water levels will slow down your progress even more.

By next month's newsletter, we will be talking about where there is still water rather than flooding.

So far, no major flooding and no below-average levels. Yeah!

Check out the links and guide to understanding the Rivers in the Gila

Adventure at your own risk.

Trail conditions change.

Recreate Responsibly

CDT Highway 90 to Coop Mine

photo credits: Jackie Blurton 

Geologic features, outstanding mountain views, and an old mine are highlights of this easy-going hike/equestrian ride on the CDT #74 south of HWY 90.

Gila Flat #97 and Railroad Trail #96

An alternate to hiking the CDT alternate along the Gila River

To take this alternate route, follow the official CDT north of Silver City, over Signal Peak to the Sapillo Campground. 



From there, head west for 1.5 miles on Highway 35 and take Trail #96 up to Gila Flat Trail #97. Follow the Gila Flat Trail west to Copperas Peak area on Highway 15. 

From here, take the highway down to Gila Hot Springs. No Access throught the private property on the East Fork. DO NOT take the Military Trail #709. Despite what some maps show, that trail is only an out and back and will not get you to Gila Hot Springs.

Photo credit: Melissa Green

Backcountry Adventures

View from the Greenfly Trail - Photo Credit: Pat Gioannini

Great views of the southern Gila Wilderness while below the shadow of Black Mountain. Much of this trail was an old dozer track for putting in the tanks, although some of it has faded into single-track.

It is a great way to traverse the northern part of the Gila Wilderness.

This trail is part of the Forest Service Gila Wilderness Centennial Loop. In early April, trail volunteers and packers organized by Gila Back Country Horsemen repaired the two decades of neglected maintenance on this trail.

This trail can be accessed via

Whiterocks Trail #27, the Meadows Trail #53, Homestead Trail #101 and others.

There is likely water at Cassidy Springs and seasonally at Sam Martin Springs Tank. Check the water updates - https://www.gilatrailsinfo.org/water-updates 

Always have a backup option.

View from above Cassidy Spring - Photo Credit: Pat Gioannini

All our May Trail Projects are currently full with a waitlist.

Check out our trail project schedule

to see where we will be working.

In early July

we will share our trail project schedule for

August - October.

Questions or to RSVP: groundworktrails@gmail.com

Wilderness Reading

You can't be out in the wilderness everyday,

but you can bring the wilderness to you by reading

Hush of the Land.

This book is about an outfitter and packing trainer in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. He was a founding member in 1974 of the Back Country Horsemen of Missoula

"HUSH OF THE LAND is an inspirational memoir that chronicles the six-decade quest of packer and outfitter Arnold “Smoke” Elser to protect wild lands by bringing thousands of people deep into the mountains of Montana on horseback. With limited financial means and while still in college, the young man from Ohio decided against a promising career in forestry and chose instead to share his love of wilderness with city dwellers by working as a professional outfitter."



Hush of the Land - Eva-Maria Maggi : writer, teacher, packer (evamaggi.com)

Join Us at Give Grandly

On May 4th we will have an interactive booth at Give Grandly.

You can try crosscutting. It is easier than you might think.

Everyone who does will get a branded wooden cookie.

Enjoy Gila Trails!

Photo Credit: Nigel Holman