Middle Fork, Gila Wilderness

May 19, 2011

When I look at this video now, I am filled with apprehension. The Miller Creek Fire, which was billowing on the horizon some six miles to the west during our hike into the Gila Wilderness, has now consumed more than 76,000 acres. The perimeter now includes the trailhead at TJ Corral, that gorgeous grassy meadow visible on all my videos and Little Bear Canyon all the way down to the Gila River. I know the desert is resilient and can recover from such devastating fires, but it still breaks my heart to think that some of my special places will never be the same. Even the log where Dennis and I sat out a violent lightning and hail storm on our first anniversary may be gone. At least I have my memories of the way things were. And all these videos: