May Gila Trails Update

In this Newsletter:

- Current Conditions

- Day Adventures

- Backcountry Adventures

- Spring Trail Project Schedule

Photo Credit: Dave Turner

Forest Service

Spring Trail Work

in the Gila

West Fork Trail # 151

The local 3-person FS trail crew logged up the West Fork from the Gila Cliff Dwellings to White Creek Cabin/Flats. They also logged the Hells Hole Trail # 268, which switchbacks up from the West Fork to the Woodland Park area.

139 logs removed in total!

Allie Canyon Trail #100

The Montana Forest Service Trail Crew has removed hazardous trees that posed a risk of falling onto the trail. This work means the trail is more likely to stay open despite the high-intensity burn in the area. It's important to note that this specialized crew had limited time in the Gila, so they chose to high-stump the trees they felled. Low-stumping, which can be performed by less experienced sawyers, will take place later. We appreciate your patience, as managing trails in areas that have experienced high-intensity burns can be a lengthy process. The work completed has significantly reduced the risks associated with these hazards.

CDT from Black Peak to Sapillo Group Campground

 A Conservation Corps, hired by the FS, cleared this section of trail since it was affected by the 2025 Trout Fire

Photo Credit: FS Trail Crew - clearing logs off the West Fork Trail

Want to know what trails have been cleared recently?

Check out the Gila Trails Info - Trails Cleared Map.

Statewide Fire Restrictions and Fire Restrictions Info

NM Forestry Division enacts statewide fire restrictions. The restrictions ban smoking, fireworks and campfires, along with any prescribed agricultural and debris burning; or oil and gas production flaring on state lands. 

Since fire restrictions vary from agency to agency throughout NM, check out the

Interactive Fire Restrictions Map

Catwalk Improvements Thanks to The Legacy Restoration Fund

The federally funded Legacy Fund which is a part of the Great American Outdoors Act helped restore the Catwalk from post 2013 flooding.

Check out the Catwalk for

FREE

on National Trails Day

6/6/26

Changes to the Forks Campground

The Forest Service is planning major multistage improvements at Forks Campground near Gila Hot Springs. The planned changes include:

• 10 drive-in campsites
• 3 walk-in campsites
• 2 day-use group sites with a large pavilion at one
• Designated parking for day use
• Handicap parking
• Additional pit toilet near walk-in campsites
• Additional signage
• This will become a fee camping area with required reservations

If you have camped there before, we would appreciate your feedback. Check out the maps outlining the changes and send feedback to groundworktrails@gmail.com. We will be consolidating the feedback and sending it to the FS.

High Desert Search and Rescue

By Marc Levesque

Check out the new book by Marc Levesque, now-retired SAR incident commander. This book expands on his experiences from his first book, Gila Lost and Found. Drawing on his decades as a SAR incident commander and instructor, he explains how these rescues are carried out, identifies common causes of incidents, and offers practical safety advice for backcountry travelers.

National Trails Day Event in the Gila

June 6th

The Gila will be sponsoring a National Trails Day event at Lake Roberts on June 6, coinciding with our annual Lake Roberts Fishing Derby. Check out the link below or Gila National Forest Facebook page where more info will be posted soon.

Trails Closures - Near Hummingbird Fire

Trails Closures are still in place near the Hummingbird Fire. They include:

• Loco Mountain Trail #143
• Clayton Mesa Trail #175
• Crest Trail #182
• Whitewater Baldy Trail #172
• Ben Lilly Campground
• Willow Creek Campground
• Willow Creek #151 Trailhead
• Iron Creek Mesa Trail #171
• Cooper Trail #141

And sections of:

• Middle Fork Trail #157
• Lilley Park Trail #164
• West Fork Trail #151

Adventure at your own risk.

Trail conditions change.

Recreate Responsibly

East Railroad Trail #130

The East Railroad Trail # 130 was damaged in the 2013 Silver Fire. Now that most of the snags have fallen, it is safe to bring in volunteer trails crews to repair the trail.

Last week, a group of 15 volunteers changed the trail from a locust hell to a clear corridor with tread. 2.3 of the 3 mile trail is now reopened.

It needs use to keep it open. In the creek, thimbleberry and raspberry grow back each year. Foot and equine traffic helps keep these plants at bay in the trail tread.

To access the trail, leave from the Railroad Canyon Trailhead and Campground just off of Highway 152 - east of Emory Pass. Follow the creek up via the Gallinas Trail #129 for 1.3 miles, then stay right onto the Railroad Trail #128 for another 0.75 miles. Take the right trail at the extra-large wooden sign. From here, the East Railroad trail climbs steeply to avoid a waterfall below. After this, it follows the creek at a more reasonable grade. The trail passes through burn areas with lots of regrowth and ponderosa forests that somehow evaded the Silver Fire.

Right now the trail is a nice out and back. And we have plans to continue work on the upper section and on connecting trails (Hillsboro Bypass Trail) so that one day it can be a part of a loop option for that area.

Backcountry Adventures

As temps rise, traveling along waterways becomes increasingly appealing.

The West Fork Trail, combined with other trails, is a nice option for this time of year as the drought in the Gila continues to affect other water sources.

Here are a few options leaving from the Cliff Dwellings parking area:

• Backpack up the West Fork to Hell's Hole. Basecamp here and day hike up to White Creek Flats. Backpack out overland (with plenty of water in your pack) via the Hells Hole Trail #268, Lilley Park Trail #164, Big Bear Trail #28, and back down a short section of the West Fork to the TH.

• Backpack up the West Fork to White Creek Flats. Day hike to McKenna Park, Lilley Park, or both. Return (backpacking) via 4 miles of the West Fork, Hells Hole Trail #268, Lilley Park Trail #164, Big Bear Trail #28, and back down a short section of the West Fork to the TH.

Thanks to trail work by multiple groups, these trails should be in decent condition.

Warnings:

• There are lots of river crossings - don't bother changing your shoes
• Poison Ivy
• Rattlesnakes
• The trail is harder to find at the river crossings due to fast-growing willows

Spring Trail Project Schedule

Check out the rest of the spring Trail Project Schedule.

McKnight Canyon Trail #92

And more projects will be planned for the fall in June…

Enjoy Gila Trails!

Photo credits: Abby Adams.

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