September Gila Trails Update

In this Newsletter:

- Current Conditions

- Day Adventures

- Backcountry Adventures

- Fall Trail Project Schedule

Current Conditions

New Signage at Gomez Peak Area

There are new trail signs at each junction at the Gomez Peak area and the maps have been corrected to reflect what is on the ground. Thanks to Silver City Trails Staff and FS Glenwood Trail Crew for all their work on this.

The trail system contains approximately 10 miles of designated trails, as well as approximately four miles of non-system routes.

Each trail junction in the designate trail system has a trail sign with a map and "you are here". See sample on the left of the # 3 trail junction.

For the non-system trail,

For the non-system trail, these are delineated by the "Trail Closed" carsonite signs. You can still use them if you want but they are not on the maps and they are not maintained. They are user created trails that are not in the official trail system.

In addition to these maps, these junctions also have a wooden sign showing which way to get back to the parking lot the fastest.

Geospatial Map will hopefully be posted in this newsletter next month

BAER and Other Funding to

Repair Trout Fire Damaged Trails

When will our trails in the area affected by the Trout Fire be worked on?

How do the funding mechanisms work?

If the Silver City District lost its’ trail crew earlier this year, who will do the trail work?

Answers

Burn severity along Continental Divide Trail near Lockney private land, June 27, 2025. Photo Credit: FS Baer Team

Nmgnf Trout Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Baer Incident Photographs | InciWeb

To Improve Your Gut Microbiome,

Spend More Time in Nature

Read Article

October

Night Sky Program at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Learn more about the Gila night skies:

Night Skies - Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

Download PDF

Rainfall Lowers Fire Hazard to Moderate,

But Still Drought?

Here is the answer from Grant County Weather Watchers group.

Dylan Duvergé explains it best as follows.

"Some people might think: "Gosh aren't we always in some kind of drought," "I just got 2 inches of rain last week," or "The landscape looks pretty great to me!" which misunderstands the issue in a number of ways. If there's one thing I hope to help people understand it's that the rainfall you measure is one of only many factors that go into determining whether we are in a drought. What matters just as much is how, where and when that rainfall occurs. A localized "gully washer" may fill up your rain gauges, but will not alleviate drought, whereas a prolonged period of widespread light/moderate rain (with the exact same measured rainfall) will. For these reasons, two separate years in which you measure the exact same amount of rainfall may have drastically different effects on our drought conditions.

I've included a basic water cycle diagram that points out the other factors that influence whether rainfall actually improves drought. For our area, the really big ones are snowpack and evaporation. We have not had a real snowpack for several years now. When it's rained, it's always been after a long dry period. This means that much of the rainfall is either evaporated directly or quickly sucked up by the drought-starved vegetation. That means that less than 5% of rainfall (and this is very generous) actually sustains long-term flow in important rivers or recharges the groundwater table."

Below is a chart that shows the "history of drought since 2000. Earlier in this period, we had longer periods in between severe droughts. Since 2020, its been whiplash, and this will likely continue, with less time in between droughts. The 2022 year is a great example. It alleviated drought for less than a year even though it produced near-historic floods on the Gila."

To stay updated on the current drought levels: West | U.S. Drought Monitor

More Trees Dying in the Gila?

Learn more about where trees are dying in the Gila due to the drought and other factors:

2025 Forest Service Southwestern Region Forest Health Damage Map

Adventure at your own risk.

Trail conditions change.

Recreate Responsibly

Day Adventures

Big Timber Trail #95

Every heard of the Big Timber Trail? It connects with other work Gila Back Country Horsemen have done near Brannon Park and along the CDT where is crosses FS road 150. Why explore this trail? Learn more - about the trail, directions to the trail, water info and more.

Learn about Big Timber

Interactive Map

CDT on the north side of Bear Mountain

Photo Credit Marion MacDonald

While the CDT does not connect between the Burros and LS Mesa due to land issues,

the CDT by Bear Mountain remains a nice day adventure.

Enjoy scenic views, travel through ponderosa forests, and more.

Check out Marion's write-up about this adventure.

And you may enjoy reading about some of the other day adventures on her website.

Learn More about the Trail

Interactive Map

Upper Mineral Creek Trail - Loop Option

Thanks to newly reopened trails, now is a good time to explore a 6-mile loop option including South Fork Mineral Creek & Mineral Creek Trails.

For those looking to make a loop, consider starting on the South Fork Mineral Creek Trail. This trail eventually joins the Mineral Creek Trail at a junction, from which you can continue uphill to meet the road. From there, it’s an easy walk along the road back to your vehicle.

This route has a lot to offer:

South Fork Mineral Creek Trail – Heading downhill on this section provides some of the most scenic views in the area, with open stretches that let you take in the surrounding landscape. Keep in mind, though, that shade is limited, so sun protection and extra water are good ideas.
Mineral Creek Trail – In contrast, this trail winds uphill through a shaded mixed-conifer forest, following plenty of running water (at the time of this writing). The cool shade and the sound of flowing creeks make the climb back enjoyable and refreshing.
Road Walk - Even the road walk is pleasant due to the beautiful ponderosa forests it travels through.

Note for equine users: At this time, horses and pack stock are not recommended on the South Fork Mineral Creek Trail. The switchbacks are still awaiting tread improvements, and the footing is not yet suitable for equine use. For use of the Mineral Creek Trail, equine users may want to scout where they can turn around their trailer on the FS Rd #153 towards Bearwallow Mountain.

Interactive Map

Geospatial Map

Backcountry Adventures

Crest to Whitewater to Redstone and road back to Sandy Point

Thanks to an amazing amount of work by the FS Glenwood Trail Crew, AZ Wild and Rocky Mountain Youth Corps,

Whitewater Trail #207 from Hummingbird Saddle to Redstone and the Redstone Trail #206 are now reopened for hikers.

Making the trail stock passable will take a few months longer for Whitewater to Redstone and a few years for Redstone.

Park at Sandy Point or if you have two cars, leave one at the Redstone Trailhead. Note that the road to both trailheads is narrow with steep dropoffs. 4 WD is recommended.

The most reliable and plentiful water can be found in Whitewater at the bottom of the switchbacks from Hummingbird Saddle.