-
Restoring the East Railroad Canyon Trail
May 8-10, 2026
A work trip to help restore the East Raiload Canyon Trail taught me some important lessons: 1) stay hydrated 2) electolytes are a thing 3) your gps only works if you look at it!
-
Beyond the Bat Cave
April 26-29, 2026
After years of trying, I finally figured out how to get to "Bat Cave", a major archaeological site on the jagged northern edge of the Mogollon Datil volcanic field.
-
Neglected Mine Trail
April 23, 2026
Earlier this year New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors partnered with the CDT Coalition to reroute two miles of the CDT near Jack's Peak in the Burro Mountains south of Silver City. You can combine the old and new trails for a surprisingly thrilling four-mile loop.
-
After the Trout Fire
April, 2026
The Trout Fire of 2025 burned more than 47,000 acres near Silver City in an area that is home to some of our most popular and accessible hiking trails. Now that a full year has passed, we've been gingerly exploring some of our old haunts.
-
Just Another Rocky Creek in the Gila
April 14-15, 2026
Lately I've been busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. When there was an unexpected break in the action, Dennis and I slipped away to a rocky creek in the Gila for a quick overnight.
-
Red Canyon
March 19 - 22, 2026
It's been three years since Dennis and I tried in vain to find the trail that drops into Mineral Creek below the ghost town of Claremont, high in the Mogollon Mountains. We returned this spring with the Gila Trails crew to help restore the missing trail.
-
Camping in the Burros
March 14 - 17, 2026
There's a spot in the Burro Mountains with a wide grassy meadow, and some curious bubbly blue rock formations. We've been talking about camping there for years!
-
Walking My Feet Off in Old Santa Fe
February 27 - March 1, 2026
I walked almost non-stop for seven hours, fueled by nothing but coffee, a bowl of soup, and boundless enthusiasm, searching for the Santa Fe of Willa Cather and Archbishop Lamy. Instead I found ... art!
-
Going to the Dogs (Canyons)
February 5 - 11, 2026
A romp across Otero Basin and the Salt Basin Dunes, from Dog Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains to Dog Canyon in the Sacramento Mountains.
-
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.
-
Ice / Skates
January 15, 2026
We hesitated to return to Skates Canyon. It's one of our favorite hikes, but we knew this area was hit hard by the Trout Fire of 2025. Would the slot be full of burnt timbers? Would it be washed out by post-fire floods?
-
Christmas in Tucson
December 21-27, 2025
Most years we disappear into the desert between Christmas and New Years, camping far off the beaten path to escape the holiday hustle and bustle. This year we decided to run toward the commotion instead of away from it.
-
Knight Peak
December 18, 2025
Knight Peak is the tallest peak in a jagged ridge west of the Burro Mountains, where the high country falls away toward Lordsburg Mesa. The extreme tilt of the folded rhyolite makes for very interesting topography.
-
Searching for the Sunman
December 11-12, 2025
When fellow Gila Hikers requested a return to a well-known petroglyph site, we tacked on an extra day to once again search for the famous Sunman.
-
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?
-
Turkey Creek Redux
November 15-18, 2025
My right knee is shot, along with a host of other age-related issues confirming that the extended warranty on this chassis has definitely expired. But what if we packed really light, and took our time? Could we still make it to the hot springs?
-
Turkey Creek with Gila Trails
November 2-4, 2025
Turkey Creek and I go back a long way. I had to scour this website to learn how far! When Gila Trails posted a work trip there, I had to check it out, even though it was sandwiched between house guests and an undiagnosed issue with my right knee.
-
Fall Foliage on the West Fork Gila River
October 23, 2025
A perfect fall hike with the Gila Hikers. Rainbows, beaver dams, cliff dwellings, cattails ... ho hum, just another perfect day in the Gila Wilderness!
