Gila national forest is one of the more popular national forests in new mexico. It is approximately 27 miles from north to south and 39 miles east to west. The gila wilderness is not only new mexicos first wilderness, but americas first wilderness. Covering an area of 223,667 acres 90,515 ha350 sq mi it is the second largest wilderness in the state after the gila wilderness. The gila national forest contains some 1,510 miles of trails. West fork trail is the primary trail in the gila wilderness, and at 33 miles in length running north to south, it is the only trail that completely traverses the wilderness area. Best hiking trails in gila national forest new mexico. Download the gpx file for the 55 mile gila wilderness hike here. Take us hwy 180 north from silver city nm to nm159. However, with over 3 million acres all of which is open to dispersed camping, three wilderness areas, and hundreds of miles of trails, there are plenty of options for getting away from the crowds. Follow nm 15 north from silver city to the monument. There is no visitor center providing maps, the few. This trail and others can easily be followed 30 miles or more without hitting another road. Help us keep the trail and water information accurate as possible.
One of the newer tools for you to explore any of the 154 national forests and national grasslands is the interactive visitor map. Trail 151 is one of the hallmark trails of the gila wilderness. In easy access to water in a wilderness with more hoodoos than hikers com. Part of this designation protects the area by not allowing. This trail is a great addition to other trails in the area, such as, and the trail offers a mild challenge for stock type vehicles while providing a relaxing scenic drive through the desert. Interactive map updated 4162020 or forest service gila and aldo leopold wilderness map updated 101519 the interactive map is. This map uses the trail marked on the usgs topos and was field checked in may 11, 2002. Place names like raw meat canyon, tepee canyon and grave canyon tell the tales of the past. It is also the worlds first wilderness area, formally recognized in 1924. Gila wilderness is a wilderness area in gila national forest, nm. The trailhead, which starts up the north side of the broad river bottom, is one of the most popular entry points into the gila wilderness, but most people head to the cliff dwellings and hikers quickly disperse on the multitude of trail options. The gila cliff dwellings national monument, near silver city, is the areas primary attraction and worth a.
There are many river crossing per mile and boots that can be worn for wading are recommended. The map includes information about motorized offroad travel atvs, motorcycles, etc. A major feature is the historically intriguing catwalk national scenic trail. The second trail head is at willow creek on the north wilderness boundary. Established in 1924, it is also one of the largest wilderness areas in the southwest at 557,873 acres 843 miles of hiking trails. Search wilderness connect for practitioners search wilderness connect for practitioners. Once into the wilderness, expect elevations ranging from 7,000 feet on the gila river to 8,600 feet on the mesas. You may contact the gila visitor center at 575 5369461, or at hc 68, box 100, silver city, nm 88061. Modifications will be posted in the forest supervisors office, ranger district offices, and at affected sites. We recalled that a couple of trail angels we met last summer were from new mexico, and they told us about the excellent backpacking they often did in the gila wilderness. This is rugged new mexico wilderness so make sure you have proper shoes, hat, and plenty of water. Walk all the way to the end of the road where you will find the trailhead.
The gila national forest in southwestern new mexico covers 3. Best hiking trails in gila national forest new mexico gaia gps. The forest supervisor may issue rules that supplement or differ from those on this map. One trail head for the wilderness is only 15 miles by road from santa fe, the state capital.
First recommended by aldo leopold in 1922, the gila wilderness was established in 1924, 40 years before the wilderness act. A map of wilderness areas in gila national forest, including the gila wilderness. The cdt meanders through some of new mexicos most spectacular natural and historic landscapes. Usgs current conditions for new mexico streamflow gila wilderness trails maintained map. Our 2019 trip success was greatly due to heart information and work. Please see the gila nf hiking and camping links in the external links section for detailed information and maps. At around 55 miles in length, the gila wilderness loop provides a remarkable trail through one of the largest wilderness areas in america. The gila national forest is probably best known for its wilderness areas, in particular the gila wilderness the first wilderness in the united states. The hike traverses both the west fork of the gila river as well as the middle fork of the gila river. Best trails in gila national forest new mexico alltrails.
I have a 4day weekend coming up, so i was planning on returning to the gila wilderness and doing a loop of the middle fork and west fork of the gila river, using trail 28 to connect to the meadows. Scenic view over the blue range wilderness another unique beauty of the gila national forest is its wilderness. All of this wilderness is located in new mexico and is managed by the forest service. Hiking trails near gila national forest hiking project. Map scope and limit the only rules shown on this map are those that are general in nature and that apply broadly throughout gila national forest. More than sevenhundred miles of the most popular foot and horse trails are found in the gila wilderness between the middle fork of the gila river and the southwestern rim of the mogollon muggyehon mountain range. Fill out a trip report after your wilderness adventures. Small wild grapes grow in moist nooks along the west fork of the gila river. Hiking gila national forest silver city aldo leopold wilderness gila fleshgait creepypasta wiki fandom national forests and public wildernesspics of.
Most trail restoration in wilderness is volunteer work led by heart of the gila, whose trail coordinator is featured in our latest heroes article. For sources generally further than 50 km from a class i area, the visibility threshold for concern is not exceeded if the 98th %ile change in light extinction is. Little walnut located at the foot of the gila national forest only four miles out of silver city lies the little walnut trail network. You may contact the visitor center at 505 5369461, or at hc 68, box 100, silver city, nm 88061. Contact the gila national forest, silver city, nm 505 3888201. Gila wilderness maps, gila national forest,new mexico. Into the wilds of the gila wilderness, day one the trek. The gila, aldo leopold, and blue range wildernesses offer unparallel hiking and horseback riding. Gila wilderness area has 77 trails in the vicinity, including 76 hiking trails, 69 for walking and 77 for other activities. It follows the west fork of the gila river through a beautiful, deep, winding canyon with spectacular volcanic cliff formations. An intro to the gila wilderness the west fork trail. The trail winds up and above the region offering panoramic views of the surrounding desert.
However, with over 3 million acres all of which is open to dispersed camping. An online topographic map of the gila cliff dwelling area is available here. A few miles north of the gila cliff dwellings visitor center at the end of the road. Interactive map updated 4162020 or forest service gila and aldo leopold wilderness map updated 101519 the interactive map is updated frequently and the forest service map is updated at the end of each year. New mexicos gila wilderness has the distinction of being the worlds first designated wilderness area, an act that took place in 1924. The mimbres people, a subgroup of the mogollon were active between and 1 in the gila wilderness area, leaving cliff dwellings, ruins and other. The gila wilderness area in southwest new mexico was the first dedicated wilderness areas in the country. The many trails of the wilderness offer hikes up the three forks of the gila river, across the volcanic mesas and through the open ponderosa pines of the montane conifer forests. Gila national forest visitor map south half us forest.
Made up of 11 miles of nonmotorized fun fast single track, the network is dissected by the mighty continental divide trail cdt, offering connectors to both bear mountain and the pinos altos range. Raw, natural mountain beauty, ancient indian dwellings, late 1800s settler history in a gila wilderness pack trip reconnects you with the natural world. Because its a wilderness area, infrastructure doesnt exist along the trail. The most remarkable natural monuments in this wilderness are. Gila wilderness area is a protected area in new mexico. The gila wilderness is the largest designated wilderness area in new mexico. Take nm159 17 miles past mogollon, turn right at road to ben lilly. This is a perfect map for hunting, fishing, scenic driving, hiking, camping, backpacking, and horseback riding both in the forest and in the gila and aldo leopold wilderness areas. The forest multiple wilderness areas including the gila wilderness which was the first officially designated wilderness in the united states of america, in addition to aldo leopold wilderness and the blue range wilderness. The area offers a beautiful picnic spot next to whitewater creek, a challenging onemile trail along the historic water line route from the 1890s, a trailhead access into the gila wilderness, a bird watchers paradise and a sense of place that creates images of an earlier time. Forest information gila national forest campgrounds. The visitors travel guide and map of the gila wilderness is approximately three feet square, printed on both sides. We had never heard of it, but a little googling suggested several options for loop hikes of varying distances leaving from the gila cliff dwellings national monument.
The forest multiple wilderness areas including the gila wilderness. It is excellent for gaining an overview of the entire wilderness, including the trail system. Located in the gila national forest, the gila wilderness covers 558,014 acres, including much of the mogollon range of southwest new. Gila national forest and gila wilderness hiking trails. The southern trail head is at the gila cliff dwellings national monument 1.
Best hiking trails in gila wilderness area new mexico. Trail 151 has a trailhead at the south and north boundaries of the wilderness. Take a ride back in time on a horseback pack trip into the magnificent gila. Gila national forest and gila wilderness hiking trails americas. An area of less than 200,000 acres 81,000 ha was given wilderness protection by congress in 1964. Gila national forest is a national forest in gila wilderness, nm, az.
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