Sapillo Box
October 19-21, 2024
Everyone who hikes with me knows I've been jonesing to get to Sapillo Box for a very long time. But access is difficult. You either hike in 6.5 miles with a 2100' drop from Sheep Corral, or 7 miles via Spring Canyon (+1600/-900').
Our buddy Ken was on board, and proposed that we do a loop hike with a shuttle and an extra day to explore either Sapillo Box, or farther up the Gila. But as our overly-long summer dragged on, the trip got rescheduled several times. Finally, we found a three-day window, during a brief "cold" front.
It was overcast and spitting rain when we left Silver City. We stashed Ken's Jeep near the 15/35 junction, and piled into the Tacoma for the drive out Sheep Corral.
I thought it would be brushy and burnt over, like the CDT SOBO to Tadpole Ridge, but it was actually quite lush and lovely.
There was a nice array of fall color, including not just the yellow oaks, but some stands of brilliant coral-red, that looked for all the world like maple trees!
They are Bigtooth Maples, the native western relative of the Sugar Maple!
About two miles in, we started up a long ridge.
The wind picked up, and we were repeatedly pelted with rain, and then sleet.
The hiking was sticky, but the light was incredible!
We stopped briefly on a blustery promontory for a view of the Gila River valley.
Well-worn trail sign at the extreme end of Sheep Corral Road.
We descended through a series of grassy meadows that eventually yielded eye-popping views of bright green trees along the Gila River, flanked by burnt-red volcanic cliffs. From the knoll there is 1500' drop via a series of endless switchbacks. My upper quads were screaming from relentless braking.
Finally arrived at the junction with Sapillo Creek. Happy campers!
Next