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?

We immediately recognized the canyon from previous hikes, but this was a completely different approach!

And there they were, high on the canyon wall. We must have passed beneath them many times without ever looking up!

These glyphs are believed to be Apache in origin. Some appear to represent Ga'an dancers.

As often happens in this canyon, there was a "water feature" that required either an icy swim, or some serious scrambling.

Group process: negotiating the best route.

Richard and Susan examining animal tracks in the mud. This pond must see a lot of action at night!

Mirror-like reflections in the pond.

It was gorgeous fall day, so we decided to continue all the way to the Gila River.

There was actually a trickle of water in the canyon — surprising for this late in the year. Dennis and Dave keeping their feet dry.

Arrived at the river. Wow, the fall rains completely scoured out the canyon, leaving a wide sandy beach where there is normally a tangle of catclaw.

Sue complements the fall colors in the canyon.

Having previously missed the glyphs, we spent a lot of time looking up on the way back, imagining how many possible ways those who went before us might have used to enter or exit the canyon. Dave and Dennis and I led the charge up a relatively gentle slope, avoiding the "swimming hole".

The day was still young. Dennis I stopped for beverages at Dimension Coffee Shop in Lordsburg. Buzzed on coffee and an oreo cream roll, we decided to — finally — check out a possible alternate route to one of our favorite hikes. That's either me ordering a double espresso, or discovereing that yes, via a long, slow, steep, rough and narrow (but terribly scenic backroad), one can drive to within 1/4 mile of the summit, avoiding a 9-mile hike. Thrilling implications for upcoming hikes!