Alum Camp

4 miles
Moderate - many stream crossings.

This is a good lazy summer day hike - it's all down hill until you hit the river, then there's nothing to do but have lunch at Alum Camp, and hike up the main Gila to the Grapevine Campground - with perhaps a swim in the river or a shower at a small hot spring along the way, if you're so inclined.

You'll have to either stage a vehicle, get dropped off at the trailhead, or hike or hitchhike back to your vehicle though; this one isn't a loop. Those who travel with bicycles may wish to stage a bicycle at either end.

The Alum Camp Trailhead is on the west side of Highway 15 about 8 miles south of the Gila Cliff Dwellings, or approximately 36 miles north of Silver City. The first part of the hike is a fairly rapid descent along a west facing slope - in the summer try to get an early start, it'll get a little toasty in the afternoon. Great views of the Gila River winding off towards Bud's Hole.

When the trail hits the river, turn left, downstream, and hike a short while, two river crossings if my memory serves me, and you'll arrive at Alum Camp, an old mining claim where all that remains is the old chimney and foundation of a cabin.

From Alum Camp hike upstream to exit at the Grapevine Campground. Cross the river many times. After you've gone about 3/4 of a mile, start watching for a not very obvious hot spring 15 feet up on the right (east) bank of the river, just downstream of a rocky outcrop. If you miss it, don't worry, it's really more appropriately referred to as a lukewarm spring - great in the summer, but not quite hot enough in the wintertime.

Continue up the river and just about the time that you're wishing that this hike was over you'll round a bend and see the highway bridge.

EE Canyon Loop

8 miles
Moderate

Take Trail #l60 from Woody's Corral up "Thousand Mile Ridge" for about 3 miles. After turning right towards McKenna Park, the trail goes along a narrow ridge, on your right is the head of Cliff Dweller canyon. After going 3/4 of a mile, take a right and hike 2 miles down EE Canyon, which is very green and shady in the summertime. Keep an eye open for the spring. When you run into the West Fork, hike downstream to the Cliff Dwellings parking lot and then 1 mile down the road back to Woody's Corral.

Little Bear Canyon

8 miles round trip
Moderate

The Little Bear trail connects the West Fork with the Middle Fork of the Gila River. It is popular because of the beautiful deep gorge the trail drops into towards the end of the hike. At certain times of the year, ferns and columbine line the trail.

The trail begins at TJ corral and initially climbs up on a ridge, then drops into a side canyon of Little Bear and finally into Little Bear canyon. The last 1/2 mile is extremely narrow . This canyon has a danger of flash floods during rainy season. The trail ends at the Middle Fork of the Gila. To return, hike back the way you came. More adventurous hikers could return by hiking down the Middle Fork, but start early and bring lunch, you will be crossing the river many many times. From this point you also could continue on 2 miles upstream (14 river crossings) to the Jordan Canyon hot springs. Most people do this as an overnight trip.

Middle Fork Hot Springs

3/4 mile one way
Easy

This is an easy 3/4 mile hike to one of the hottest hot springs in the Gila. It starts near the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center. Drive through the Visitor Center parking lot and up the hill 100 feet to the Middle Fork Trailhead on the left. Park here and follow the trail down the hill. Cross the river twice, the main hot springs are situated beside the river on the east bank, twenty feet below a smoke blackened cave.

Rocks around the edges of the pools can be moved to allow more or less river water in to cool the 150 degree hot springs water. The pools are in gravel bar immediately next to the river, and may be unusable during periods of high water. A shovel or an old coffee can comes in handy to dig the pools out - they tend to fill in with sand.

TJ Corral Stock Loop

4.5 miles
Easy

Start hiking at TJ Corral, take the left fork at the first junction (the trail sign will point towards the West Fork). The trail roughly parallels the road for about 2.5 miles, then intersects the West Fork Trail. Follow this trail downstream to the Cliff Dwellings parking lot, then walk the road 1 mile south to TJ Corral.

West Fork Loop

11 miles
Moderate

Start hiking at TJ Corral, take the right fork at the first junction. Climb up the ridge for about 2 miles. Take a left at the junction with the Meadows Trail (#l64). You'll be hiking on a ridge between the West Fork and Middle Fork of the Gila River. Turn left at the junction with Trail #28 (Zigzag Trail) to descend approximately 3 miles to the West Fork. Hike 1 mile downstream to the Cliff Dwellings parking lot, then 1 mile down the highway to TJ Corral. Return to the Wilderness Lodge for a well deserved soak in our hot pool.