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.

This week's hike with the Gila Hikers was a particularly lovely six-mile loop that descended Willow Creek and then wound back up through Maverick Canyon, following a mix of old forest roads and part of the CDT.

Dropping into Willow Creek, we came across this downed pondo that had seen lots of visits by woodpeckers and probably squirrels.

Snowmelt from a recent storm meant that even tiny Willow Creek was flowing nicely.

Views across the Mangas Valley.

An old windmill stands guard where a solar-powered pump harvest water from the creek.

At the halfway point, we leave the Willow Creek drainage and start up Maverick Canyon. Note the very colorful crown of rock on the nearby knoll.

Partway up the canyon, we stumbled upon this very substantial skeleton of a building with what appears to be hand-poured cement walls. Was it part of a mine? I haven't been able to find anything on mindat.org or the diggings.com, plus we didn't see any tailings nearby. A tantalizing mystery! Many thanks to Ken H. for scouting and sharing this route!