Gila R- Middle Fork Day 5

We got up early and made breakfast then broke camp and took to the trail shortly after 6. With a relatively easy 5 miles ahead of us, the sullen skies had little effect on us. For once there was no rain involved and we made good time.

As we hiked back down to the West Fork we moved through more stands of Ponderosa, savanna, and eventually crossed a broad terrace of grassland before dropping the last 50 feet of elevation to the road at TJ Coral. From there it was another mile road walk to the car at the Visitor’s Center. And our hike was through.

We ended up hiking nearly 50 miles in spite of shortening our trip. The sketchy trail of the upper Middle Fork really slowed us down and proved to be the thing that kept us from doing the whole loop. Still, it was an amazing trip and a blast to do with Cappuccino.

I will return to this spot day after tomorrow to report on my trip with Jolly Rancher, Level, Scatman, and Old Truck as we revisit the Gila Little Bear Canyon to Middle Fork, to Meadows, to West Fork loop.

Until then, safe travels and happy trails…