Gila Wilderness Loop-Day 1

I arrived in Albuquerque on Friday, and Cappuccino met me at the airport. We did some shopping for last-minute items and got our gear organized. On Saturday, we picked up Slinky at the airport and were able to go out for dinner before retiring early so we could get up before dawn.

We were through Starbucks and on the road by 5:30 a.m. A quick stop for lunch in Truth Or Consequences and to the Gila by 11. We stopped at the ranger station and checked on any updates on the fire, but they only had the internet info we had. So we decided to shorten our hike by a few miles and avoid the most western part of our trek up near the fire.

We parked the car at the TJ Corral trailhead, and after the obligatory “Beginning of the trail” picture, we were off. The sunny southern exposure of the Little Bear Canyon trail rises about 600 feet over 3 miles before dropping into its namesake canyon for the last mile. The creek along the bottom was dry until almost the very end. We emerged from Little Bear into the dramatic red rock walls and spires of the Middle Fork Canyon after 4 miles, where we stopped to have lunch.

Slinky seemed impressed with the canyon as he forded the river for the first time after lunch. Truthfully, I am always awestruck with this place every time I come back. I know Cappuccino is, too.

We continue winding our way through the riparian woodlands along the bottom for three and a half more miles. The massive walls of the narrow canyon guide us as we walk toward our goal, Jordan Hot Springs. This small spring has a pool about the size of a couple of large hot tubs and is located roughly 50 feet above the river and is a popular spot for day hikers and overnighters.

With more interest in setting up camp than a dip in the springs, we grab the first riverside campsite we come to and set up two hammocks and Slinky’s tent. But later, Cappuccino and I move our hammocks to another more protected site a few hundred feet further up the trail out of the wind. After dinner together, the three of us retire to our respective shelters for the night.