Gila Wilderness Loop-Day 6

Another 5 a.m. wake-up for the group. Packing up for the last time, we had breakfast and were on our way by 6:30. Following the well-worn trail along the West Fork as it rose and fell, we moved quickly to stay warm. The canyon morphed into a wide valley as we descended toward the trailhead at the Gila Cliff Dwellings Nat’l Monument.

The forest gave way to grassland, and we crossed the river several times as it meandered through this bottomland. The sun was on the rise, which helped warm us on the way and gave the scene a soft yellow glow.

We forded our last ford, walked the last bit of trail, and finally arrived at the trailhead. We stood for a photo and then hiked the half mile down the road to the car at TJ Corral. Cappuccino’s electronic key worked to open and start the car, even though it had taken a dunk when she fell in the river, so our luck held to the end.

What a great trip with Slinky and Cappuccino. We had nearly perfect weather, pretty smooth going, great scenery, no major injuries, the Hummingbird Fire was never an immediate problem, and Cappuccino found her shoes! All and all, an excellent trip.

That does it for the Gila Wilderness Loop trip. I will update the blog next week as I get ready for the Santa Fe to Taos trail starting on June 5th.

Until next week, safe travels and happy trails…