24 Hours of the Gila

Departing Saturday evening and returning the following day we covered over 400 miles most of which was off-road. Access to the Gila National Forest was at Mimbres, NM via FR 150. FR 150 in combination with FR 142 encircles the NE Gila Wilderness covering over 200 miles depending on the route. We Camped Saturday at Black Canyon Creek under heavy rains in the truck. Morning came with chilly air and a thick fog. We continued the loop on to Beaverhead and FR 142 where the forest breaks giving way to grassy plains and high mesas. The roads in this area are not the best place to travel solo as we passed not a soul; the rains have turned miles of dirt into mud holes and rock ruts. The route returns to heavy forest at Snow Lake and the burnt School Canyon into the high country. The forest in this area, Willow Creek and Bear Wallow, are vegetated like few parts of the Southwest looking more like sections of more northern states. Before hitting pavement at Mogollon my front end seemed to rattle and clunk like sure death at the start what was to be many descending switchbacks. Meghan was thrilled to be in a 5000 lb casket looking down a few thousand feet. I jerked on everything front end and found nothing so I pressed on. After descending, what sounded like a toolbox, I searched to find a rock wedged between the skid and sway bar. With no intention of budging I had to drop the back of the skid for removal. The trip home was cooled by cloud cover and desert storms, a great end.

With time too short this trip; I’ve already planned a return in a few weeks. Enjoy

 

Damn this company computer. I cant see your pics.
A couple years ago, I spent 2 days wandering around Gila. Entered near Silver City and came out overlooking the Plains of St.Agusta with an awsome view of the VLA.
I will be in ABQ in a week with my rig. Might head that way.

 

Awesome, photos. I need more vacation time.

 

Great pics!!! First off i love your 4runner. Second i had no idea that NM was that.............green! Well i know where i am taking my next Vacation. Forest to Desert to Praire all that on one trip.

You are quite the photographer, nice composition, not over-stating the scene. Some of those photos would look great in black&white, kinda like Ansel Adams photos.

 

Dude,

I have spent many a day out there. Did you guys get up to the Bearwallow tower? Did you make it to Snow Lake? See any bears or wolves? Did you stop into Reserve, which is sometimes called...Reverse. :-)

Later

 

I hope those were your dogs....

Excellent pics, thanks for sharing.

 

Yeah! WTH, are those wolves? They are awesome.

Dude, I always love looking at your threads. Awesome Runner, awesome trips, awesome pics.

 

Vermejo, As always, thanks for sharing your amazing photos and trail trips..these ones left me disorientated...felt like being there.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.
We went that exact route less the tower and exiting at Reserve. Wildlife was limited this trip despite the heavy rainfall. Elk are going to be good this season as they all looked very healthy.
Those were some shepherds running loose, quite the life for them. My dog is the black version. Mexican Grey wolves have been released to the area but none were seen this trip.

 

Returning to the Gila this past weekend provided sunny skies and hot temperatures for family visiting from the UK. With less vehicle travel than the previous trip we had plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings and sit around a fire. The trip back we visited the City of Rocks. Enjoy

 

Beautiful pictures and sweet rig.

 

Ditto the dittos
Great pics!

Finally I am on vacation as I type, leaving Monday for a week up at Mt. Rainier to camp.
Will post pics when I get back.

 

 

Awesome pics man!!

 

MMMMM...Boddingtons...

 

hopefully that wasnt a before and after...

nice pics