Maverick Canyon/Willow Creek

January 29, 2026

I don't know why I continue to be surprised that there is fabulous hiking in the Burro Mountains! Although it's drier and generally lower in elevation than the Gila Wilderness, this area is home to sculptured canyons traversed by ephermeral creeks and open ridges with see-forever views.

Ice / Skates

January 15, 2026

We hesitated to return to Skates Canyon. It's one of our favorite hikes, but we knew this area was hit hard by the Trout Fire of 2025. Would the slot be full of burnt timbers? Would it be washed out by post-fire floods?

Christmas in Tucson

December 21-27, 2025

Most years we disappear into the desert between Christmas and New Years, camping far off the beaten path to escape the holiday hustle and bustle. This year we decided to run toward the commotion instead of away from it.

Knight Peak

December 18, 2025

Knight Peak is the tallest peak in a jagged ridge west of the Burro Mountains, where the high country falls away toward Lordsburg Mesa. The extreme tilt of the folded rhyolite makes for very interesting topography.

Searching for the Sunman

December 11-12, 2025

When fellow Gila Hikers requested a return to a well-known petroglyph site, we tacked on an extra day to once again search for the famous Sunman.

Further Explorations in Lower Gila Box

December 6, 2025

Friends offered to lead us to new-to-us petroglyphs in the Lower Gila Box. How could we resist?

Turkey Creek Redux

November 15-18, 2025

My right knee is shot, along with a host of other age-related issues confirming that the extended warranty on this chassis has definitely expired. But what if we packed really light, and took our time? Could we still make it to the hot springs?

Turkey Creek with Gila Trails

November 2-4, 2025

Turkey Creek and I go back a long way. I had to scour this website to learn how far! When Gila Trails posted a work trip there, I had to check it out, even though it was sandwiched between house guests and an undiagnosed issue with my right knee.

Fall Foliage on the West Fork Gila River

October 23, 2025

A perfect fall hike with the Gila Hikers. Rainbows, beaver dams, cliff dwellings, cattails ... ho hum, just another perfect day in the Gila Wilderness!

The Black Peak Repeater

October 22, 2025

Silver Lode Scramble

October 19, 2025

What a fantastic event for Silver City! Cuteness overload! Thanks to all who organized, participated and assisted!

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

October 4-9, 2025

For my 70th birthday, my gift was to ride to C&TSRR once again. It was so much fun, the next year we decided to do it again, and persuaded our friends Tom and Ann to join us! We had only been off the train a few hours when the four of us decided to book another trip in 2025!

Aeroplane Mesa

September 27-30, 2025

From a high bowl at roughly 8000', Aeroplane Mesa slopes gently south toward a cliff above the Middle Fork Gila River. From there, it drops sharply 600 feet in half a mile via a series of switchbacks. I've wanted to hike this trail for years! When Gila Trails posted a work trip in the area, I eagerly signed on.

Whitewater Creek

September 15-16, 2025

So I put out the SOS for a much-needed water hike. Over a beer at Open Space Brewery, Ken and Dennis hatched a plan to hike Whitewater Creek. Then we learned that Miguel and his friend Jeff were doing the same hike the same day as us, so we had a quorum!

Bear Mountain CDT

September, 2025

The search continues for more local hiking trails as alternatives to popular trails within the Trout Fire perimeter. We checked out access to this CDT outlier that slabs around the north side of Bear Mountain.

Big Timber

August 23, 2025

A mission to scout water sources for an upcoming trail project took us deep into the heart of the northern Gila Wilderness. This trail has no summits and only a few breathtaking views, but a lovely packed earth and pine straw tread makes for excellent hiking as the trail wanders along the top of the ridge.

Little Not-So-Dry Creek

August 21, 2025

We returned to hike Little Dry Creek the morning after a big storm that hit Sacaton Mesa especially hard. We weren't at all sure that we could make it to the trailhead. And even if we could, after our very spotty monsoon season, the creek was probably dry.

San Pedro Parks Wilderness

August 6-12, 2025

A trip to San Pedro Parks Wilderness was months in the planning, but one thing or another kept getting in the way. Finally in early August there was a week-long opening. By then the monsoon was on break and it was 97°. Time to launch the escape pod!

McKnight Canyon

July 24, 2025

When we learned that Gila Backcountry Horsemen had recently maintained the McKnight Canyon trail, we decided it was time to revisit the Black Range.