October Gila Trails Update

In this Newsletter:

- Current Conditions

- Day Adventures

- Backcountry Adventures

- Fall Trail Project Schedule

Geospatial Map for Gomez Peak Area

For more info about the new signs at Gomez Peak - refer to our September Newsletter.

Changes to the Gila Centennial Map

Any plans to explore the Gila Centennial Loop?

If so, there is a map correction on the #172 part of the loop. This trail was incorrectly mapped in the section between 4.1 - 5 miles from trail #151. .

Harmful algae detected in Quemado and Snow Lakes

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Improvements in NM SAR

In April, the New Mexico legislature passed a bill aimed at improving communication between state emergency response agencies and search and rescue (SAR) teams. This legislation will help ensure that personnel can be deployed more quickly when time is of the essence. The changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Satellite via Smartphone or Inreach Garmin/ Zoleo

Which method is better for getting help from Search and Rescue? What are the differences?

After hearing about a SAR mission in the Gila where a smartphone inaccurately located the injured individual - making it more difficult to find them, I thought it was important to highlight the current differences in technology.

Dehydrated Wipes for Backcountry Ease

Interested in lightening your pack but don't want to compromise comfort. Check out these dehydrated wipes that are free of harmful chemicals, and decompose in 95 days.

Adventure at your own risk.

Trail conditions change.

Recreate Responsibly

Canyon Creek Trail #31

Ever heard of

Canyon Creek Trail #31?

Did you know about the corrected track, avoiding the private property?

It is accessed via the

Flying V Trailhead.  

This trail has many benefits.

It provides access to the Middle Fork in a narrow section of the Middle Fork that is otherwise hard to get to.

It is a standalone trail due to its varied ecosystems and diversity.

It offers solitude.

There is water in the canyon - even during these dry years.

And more...



Trail # 795

This is a short, 0.6 miles one way, and pleasant trail down to Gallinas Creek. While the trail line stops there, you can wander further if you like.

The trail starts on the opposite side of Highway 152 from the Rabb Park Trail #747. These is very little parking at the hiker sign and not enough space for a horse trailer. But there is additional parking a short hike on the highway towards the Mimbres.

Backcountry Adventures

These trails were recently improved by

Gila Back Country Horsemen and the FS Glenwood Trail Crew. Tennessee Meadows has not been horse accessible for many years.

Start at Sheridan Corral Trailhead at the end of the Sheridan Corral Road. After dropping into the canyon and then traveling up the canyon for a few miles, the trail climbs up and up to Holt Spring (an impressive spring high on Holt Mountain that still has water flowing despite the drought). Continue on the Holt Apache Trail, climbing higher for views, views, and more views near and beyond Holt Mtn. And fall colors emerge after Holt Mountain. Travel through mixed conifer, aspens, and more. After about 7.75 miles, you arrive at the 4-way junction and turn left onto the South Fork Whitewater Trail. From here, you travel 2.5 miles down the mixed-conifer canyon to Tennessee Meadows, where there is water and a small but nice camp area. The trail below Tennessee Meadows is Not passable for equine, but hikers can continue downstream and hike out Whitewater Creek to the Catwalk.

Remember that these are steep trails - like most trails on the west side of the Gila. Equiine accessible to Tennessee Meadows as long as you are okay with steep climbs and side slopes. A few new logs were reported to have fallen on the trail after our work, but it is still passable.

Camping options with good flowing water in Tennessee Meadows (just above East Fork Whitewater). Water is also available at Holt Spring and Rock Spring, but minimal camping options.

The Flying V Trail - this newly maintained trail makes for a nice out-and-back and increases simple loop options for a short overnights leaving from Aeroplane Mesa. The Flying V Trail travels through open grassland and ponderosa forests.

CDTC along with National Forest Foundation, Forest Service, Rocky Mtn Youth Corps, Natural Curiosity, and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps have done extensive work on the north end and central part of the Black Range. All this is post Black Fire work. They have made incredible progress in repairing the trails in this area. But newly repaired trails need to be used if they are to stay in the long term. That is where your job comes in.

Please enjoy these trails!

Photo Credit: Andrew Archuleta with Natural Curiosity

Photo Credit: Koi Reid

Fall Trail Project Schedule

Backcountry Projects



The Spring 2026

Trail Project Schedule

will be available in early January

at the latest.

We hope you can join us!

Enjoy Gila Trails!

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