Whitewater Creek - Gila Wilderness - April 20, 2003 - Member Trip Report
| Hike Name: | Whitewater Creek - Gila Wilderness |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | New Mexico |
| Trip Rating: |  |
| Trip Date: | April 20, 2003 |
| Duration: | 3 days, 4 hours |
| Trail Conditions: | Fair to Good |
| Trail Traffic: | None |
| Trip Weather: | Sunny |
| Trip Winds: | None |
| Trip Precipitation: | None |
| Trip Temperature: | High: 61-70, Low: 21-30 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Trip Report: | We pulled into the parking running late as usual. Planned to be there around 8:30, but didn't make it until after 11:00. Had a beer and hit the sack immediately. The following morning, we pulled out at 8:00, trying to get a jump on a long trip. The Catwalk is smooth and flat, and you can really cover some ground. We made the first two miles in less than 1/2 and hour, and spent just a few minutes looking over the mill ruins at Graham. From there, the trail is less well defined, and the first of many river crossings begin. The push up the river wasn't bad, and we saw a ton of various critters, including some huge wading birds that looked like cranes of some sort. Fording the river was time consuming, and tiring, since it was Spring runoff, and the thing was waist deep in some places. We had hoped to make Redstone Park, but we settled for a wide spot in the valley, and set camp around 5:30. At healthy dinner was followed by a marathon clothes and shoes drying sessionaround the fire, and we crashed around 10:00. Day 2 started with a beautiful sunrise, and breakfast in bed, so to speak. We finally hit the trail about 7:45, and pushed on towards Redstone Park. The river is twisty and narrow at this point, and we had to make over a dozen crossings in the first two miles. We were wet and tired by the time we got to Redstone and stopped for lunch. Fortunately, lunch and some coffee with Bailey's perked us right back up, and we pushed on the the back of the canyon. The climb up the back of the canyon to Hummingbird Springs is a man-killer. It is nearly vertical, and crossed with dozens of switchbacks. It is only a mile or so in distance, but allow 2 hours for the ascent. By the time we reached the top, we were totally zonked, and we immediately broke out the tents and dinner. After a few cups of Bailey's coffee, we were out at 9:00 Dat 3 started on a high note, and we hit the trail at 8:00. The trail is all level or flat the last day, and the view is spectacular. We moseyed along taking photos all morning, and stopped for lunch at the beginning of the drop off into the canyon and Iron Lake. The downhill portion only took an hour, and we stopped for a little fishing in Iron Creek. We didn't catch anything but a buzz, and we headed for the car at the campgroun. The weather held up for us, and we hit the car at 5:00. We took the time for a couple of beers while the sun set, and made our way down the road and back to the pavement. It was a great hike and we will do this one again! |
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