GET Day 28: Gila Wilderness & Mogollon Baldy

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 Baldy at 10,770 ft.

I had a little rest outside of the locked, historic, well-equipped cabin and lookout tower. Considering the extensive burn around it, it’s a wonder it’s still there. Wow, what a 360-degree view!

I headed down the other side eventually re-entering the burn zone and worse trail conditions.

Found a flat spot out of the burn in a grove of ponderosa pines. High cloudiness and some wind pretty much all day. The wind whistling through the dead trees makes an eerie tune.

Passed the halfway point today!