Slot City with the Gila Hikers
April 23, 2024
We returned with our hiking group, the Gila Hikers to a remarkable area of slot canyons and crenelated cliffs not far from Silver City.
![group of hikers crossing a stony plain with mountains in the distance](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000037.webp)
There's no trail, but a route drops into a dry canyon and emerges on a vast plain of volcanic tuff.
![hikers going over an old fence across a dry stream](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000039.webp)
There are a few signs of a previous mining or ranching operation, including an old concrete dam, a small shack, lots of pipe, and this old fence.
![blanket flower](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000041.webp)
The wash was dry, but we saw some wonderful spring wildflowers, including this luscious blanket flower.
![fragrant evening primose](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000045.webp)
Fragrant evening primose.
![yellow wildflower, groundsel or ragwort](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000060.webp)
I'm still looking for an ID for this flower that I see often in the Gila Wildernes — perhaps a groundsel or ragwort. Other sightings included verbena, Indian paintbrush and golden smoke.
![bighorn sheep](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000053.webp)
I'm getting used to a new (old camera), so I zoomed in on a white dot at the top of the ridge. Nobody believed me when I said it was a bighorn sheep, but I rest my case!
![cliffs looming in distance](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000058.webp)
Approaching the slotty area.
![huge wall of sculptured cliffs](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000059.webp)
The only word for this landscape is "epic"!
![pair of turkey vultures](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000065.webp)
A pair or turkey vultures waiting for us to die.
![hikers having lunch in the shade](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000069.webp)
It was already getting warm. We found a shady spot for "first lunch".
![hikers crawling over a large choke stone](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000075.webp)
To enter the slot, you must first conquer the choke stone!
![inside the slot](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000078.webp)
The first slot is surprising long and unobstructed.
![Ken in the slot, with a large chokestone overhead](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000079.webp)
Ken approaching an impressive choke stone.
![pool at the end of the slot](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000082.webp)
The last part of the slot was flooded. Lots of animal tracks in the slot showed that this tiny pool is an important source of water for them.
![Dennis scampering over the choke stone](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000088.webp)
Dennis demonstrating his agility (not bad for 75).
![steep stone canyon walls](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000090.webp)
Continuing up the canyon.
![three hikers in deep shade below towering cliffs](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000093.webp)
In the shadow of towering cliffs.
![group resting in the shae](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000095.webp)
Second lunch.
![Dennis climbing up a cliff to see a very green tree](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000096.webp)
We were all dazzled by the bright green tree in the slot. Alan did his best to get a closer look.
![man and woman hiking out of the canyon with hoodoos behind them](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000098.webp)
Kim and Dennis emerging from the slots.
![ancient juniper tree in a sunny canyon](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000099.webp)
A venerable juniper.
![stiped whipsnake, coiled](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000104.webp)
A striped whipsnake. So long and skinny!
![Kim and Dennis hiking across volcanic tuff](https://www.desertlavender.com/new-mexico/gila-wilderness/slot-city/P1000108.webp)
It was a long, hot slog up and out of the canyon. We need to return in cooler weather, and spend a couple of days!