CDT Day 12: Gila River Canyon

Daily Miles: 22.1, Total Miles: 191.2

Camping just below the ridge protected me from the howling winds last night.

I climbed to the top of the ridge and down Sheep Corral Canyon, getting water at a tank on the way down. Before I got to the Gila River, I met my first CDT hiker since Lordsburg, Handy Andy.

The next 13 miles were spent hiking up the beautiful Gila River Canyon, crossing the river 49 times, mostly knee to thigh deep.

I saw another eagle and one of the biggest black-tailed rattlesnakes I have ever seen. A good afternoon rain shower cooled me off.

Last year’s big floods were very evident by the number of logjams, debris and loss of trail.

I walked into Melanie Hot Spring with everything on since I was already wet.