Daily Miles: 20.5, Total Miles: 461.9 Woke up to gusty winds and a few sprinkles. Didn’t get any better – snow flurries off and on all day and a cold wind. Despite the weather, it was a pretty hike entering the Aldo Leopold Wilderness and climbing up aptly named Burnt Canyon. Saw a small cliff dwelling high up on one side that would have been interesting to explore. I left Burnt Canyon and climbed to the official CDT through the…
Daily Miles: 25.9, Total Miles: 441.40 I road walked to the Gila Cliff Dwelling Visitor’s Center and took the Middle Fork Highwater Bypass, not because of high water but I’d already hiked the Middle Fork on my CDT hike. I connected to the main CDT and continued on to the East Fork Gila River, only one ford, and then Diamond Creek which I followed for four miles, crossing several times. After lunch and restocking water, I made it to Tom…
Daily Miles: 0, Total Miles: 415.5 Not a whole lot of effort extended today except for a short walk to the Gila Hot Springs on the river. Three individual pools have been developed – mild, medium and hot. The hot pool was off limits because it was 125 degrees. I had a good soak and was just fine with 103 degrees. Got to Doc’s a few times today to take advantage of WiFi, download a few podcasts, eat some homemade…
Daily Miles: 8.3, Total Miles: 415.5 My tent zippers are completely crapped out now. Haven’t been too concerned but a couple of mozzies were having their way with me. I continued down the West Fork Gila River on a crisp morning. Only about ten river crossings got me to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. I had taken a great tour there when I hiked the CDT. Met a couple of young women at the visitor’s center who had just…
Daily Miles: 19.5, Total Miles: 407.2 I headed off on a bright and sunny morning through the ponderosa pine forest to the White River. This river soon flowed into the West Fork Gila River. I heard turkeys gobbling but never saw them. The hike down the West Fork Gila River is one of those experiences and memories that motivates me to keep hiking. I recall the same thoughts when I hiked the Middle Fork on the CDT. Beautiful and remote…
Daily Miles: 20.0, Total Miles: 387.7 I walked up Bursam Road for three miles and joined the Crest Trail which immediately entered the Gila Wilderness and a large burn area. Great water at Bead Spring – much better than the preceding Hobo Spring. Quite a bit of trailwork and clearing has been done to Hummingbird Spring but past that, more downfall across the trail – still quite manageable. A good, steady climb all the way to the summit of Mogollon…
Daily Miles: 16.2, Total Miles: 367.7 A fairly late start for me but I sure slept well. Marianna gave me a ride back to Alma. She’s so nice and I insisted she accept a donation for gas and time. From Alma, I walked almost six miles up Mineral Creek Road to the Mineral Creek TH. The creek had water in it part way up the road. Only one vehicle came up the road during this time and I graciously declined…
Daily Miles: 16.8, Total Miles: 351.5 I got an early start with hopes that the Alma Grill would be open when I arrived. The day started with a continued climb around the south flank of Maple Peak. Largely due to numerous cow paths, I lost the trail several times today. This increased my battle with low hanging tree limbs and shrubs. Now starting to get hazy views of the Mogollon Mountains in New Mexico – must be a fire nearby….
Daily Miles: 17.9, Total Miles: 334.7 I walked down Juan Miller Road past low flowing and cow infested Turkey and Clear Creek. The T Link Ranch on Turkey Creek had no fewer than ten hound dogs all chained to a different tree. They were all vying to be the loudest hound dog in Arizona. I turned southeast at Clear Creek onto a closed 4WD road, much of it on bedrock, that headed to a pass. Wow, this is Wild West…
Daily Miles: 15.0, Total Miles: 316.8 The PO opened at 7am and I picked up my resupply box and a new pair of Brooks Cascadia. My old shoes had a number of miles on them before I started the GET and pretty well used up. Got to my hitching spot on Highway 191N in front of a tire repair place about 8am. Most all mine vehicle traffic although I did have some excitement. After about an hour, a pickup came…
