Camping in the Burros

March 14 - 17, 2026

There's a spot in the Burro Mountains with a wide grassy meadow, and some curious bubbly blue rock formations. We've been talking about camping there for years. We put out the word, and five friends from our Gila Hikers decided to join us for three days and two nights of camping and hiking before the weather turns stinky hot. Dennis and I decided to go out one night early to see if we could make it there with the RV. If not, we could come back the next day with the truck camper. But we had no problems. The road is sandy, but the sand is not deep, and there are no steep climbs or deep ruts — only some overhanging branches to dodge.

We got set up and then wandered up the canyon, following a dry wash.

To our surprise and delight, the bubbly blue rock continues up the canyon, eventually rising up to form steep cliffs on either side. We followed a fin of the blue rock up and out of the canyon and into the nearby hills.

We climbed easily to an open summit at 5781 feet, where we had stunning views of our rusty red and blue-white canyon, nicely decorated with olive green piñon and juniper.

We got back to camp at dusk, and were treated to one of the most colorful sunsets I've ever seen.

First it tinged the clouds peach and gold, and then it turning the entire sky crimson and slate blue.

The rosy afterglow.

We had a relaxing morning and we're just about to go for a hike when Debra showed up with her new trailer, so she and Lucie join us for a quick hike to a promontory just east of camp in search of a cell signal.

Then on a lark we decided to see if we could continue along the ridge and find a more interesting way down.

We ended up sliding down through the bubbly, blue rock and dropping down into a narrow wash, where it was an easy walk back to camp.

By mid-afternoon, we were joined by Ken and Helena in their Sprinter, and Alan and Sue in their Transit.

Together we explored further up to canyon past a dry tank and to the high saddle where we could see across the Mangas Valley to the mine.

We followed that ridge back north, bushwhacking and sidehilling until we descended into another narrow wash that dumped us out in the same spot where we had exited earlier that morning.

We all slept in the next day, then took a hike up the main canyon, this time following the right fork in search for a blue canyon, full of hoodoos that we had spotted from the ridge the previous day.

We found it easily and scrambled around it and up into the hills southwest of camp. Alan and Dennis trying to go sledding.

Looking back toward camp.

Smiling hikers.

The whole gang.

We took it easy that afternoon, lounging in camp and preparing a potluck dinner. That evening we enjoyed our second traditional "movie night", gathering around a TV hanging on the outside of the RV.

Ken and Helena on a nearby knob.

View from the knob of our camp.

Our friends began one way home the next day. Ken and Helena and Debra and Dennis and I did one more hike up the stony knob just north of our camping area. Then we too packed up and wandered back to town. It was a wonderful trip perfect weather great hiking and only 13 miles from home. How cool that our friends decided to come along!

Flora and Fauna

Not much for spring flowers this year, at least in the Burros. These two brave specimens are likely evening primrose and Nevada biscuitroot.

Madeleine looking both coy and aloof. It has taken years, but the kitties have adapted well to RV life.