Middle Fork Gila River Trail #157

SUMMARY: 5.7k feet to 6.3k feet, 12.7 miles

DESCRIPTION: The Middle Fork of the Gila, an alternate on the CDT, has numerous wet-foot crossings in a deep canyon with majestic rock walls and spires. Periodic flooding and summer growth makes route-finding challenging on occasion. An unmarked trail up to a hot spring rewards hikers who visit.

GETTING THERE: On Hwy 15 up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center, turn on a road just before the visitor center towards the campgrounds, and park at Woody’s Corral (Coordinates: 33.2378021, -109.1690382), or across the road at trailhead parking. Take Little Bear Canyon Trail #729, which runs into the Gila Middle Fork Trail.

Alternately, the eastern terminus of the Gila Middle Fork Trail can be accessed at the Visitor Center parking lot.

CONDITIONS: Although do return often, summer growth will be often be thick and cairns might wash away. But totally worth the hike.

Middle Fork Backpack (Gila NF) – CANCELED DUE TO FIRE DANGER

Brushing and tread improvement along a CDT alternate route, with CDTC and the Back Country Horsemen, Gila Chapter

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May 26, 2022

Middle Fork Backpack (Gila NF)

Continental Divide Trail project with Continental Divide Trail Coalition and Back Country Horsemen, Gila Chapter

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April 27, 2021

Middle Fork Gila River CDTC

Join with the CDT Coalition on this backpack project to improve an existing trail in the Gila Wilderness

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May 03, 2019