Middle Fork to West Fork of the Gila

5-19, day 3

Approximately 10 miles

My leftover water spilled as Cappuccino and I climbed to the Mesa from camp. The 35 degree air was cool and my fingers were colder. A wonderful ponderosa pine forest that had mostly survived a fire adds solidity to its presence.

In just two hours, the temperature rose 20 degrees and he took off his warm-up suit. A rustic hunting and fishing cabin with logs, clinking, and a metal roof was a good place to rest. A dry spring and a water tank spoke of the arid climate.

Rolling through the trees were two female backpackers from California heading in the opposite direction. They were avid backpackers and enjoyed the fabulous trail and weather.

After lunch, we descended to the West Fork of the Gila where we camped early. We rested and then explored a bit and spotted three herons and four white-tailed deer. The river valley is the ideal place for wildlife or backpackers.

It was a very pleasant hike, although Cappuccino and SloBro had minor hiccups on the descent. It was a nice break from the frequent river crossings of the early days.

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