Gila Valley Hiking Club

04/26/2026

Had a great hike on Saturday. Twelve of us hit the Grant loop trail.

04/21/2026

The mountain road is open, so let's head out for a quick hike on Saturday. It's a good time to hike a section of the Grant Loop on Mt. Graham.

This hike is along an old logging road out to a great overlook. The trail rounds Grant Hill, which is near the Hospital Flat camping area, and is easy to follow.

About a mile out, a jaw dropping overlook with views of the Ft. Grant, Sulfur Spring Valley, Santa Rita and Catalina mountain ranges present themselves. Where the old road stops, a connector trail heads off deep into the forest through aspen saplings towards another logging road less than another mile out. Here you can return to your car or continue on through the forest. As per the new normal, this trail moves through the 2017 Frye Fire burn.

We will meet up at 8am in the Graham County Fairground parking lot on Highway 191 across from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Please come prepared. The trail is rough with a few down trees and both shaded and sunny areas. Good walking or hiking shoes and sun protection are musts. It has been cool on the mountain in recent weeks, so layers will probably be best. Make sure you bring plenty of water. You might want to bring extra water and leave it in the vehicle for the end of the hike. You will also need nourishment in the way of trail snacks and lunch.

03/01/2026

02/25/2026

Heading out on Saturday to Chiricahua National Monument Natural Bridge

Saturday we’re heading into the Chiricahua National Monument southeast of Willcox. We'll meet up at 8am in the parking lot of the Graham County Fairgrounds off Highway 191 across from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To avoid snow in the deeper canyons of the Chiricahuas, we'll head across low lands to a small natural bridge. The 2.4 mile Natural Bridge Trail end on a rocky shelf on the west side of a canyon. Native bedrock provides seating at this tiny overlook. A sign points to the sheer eastern wall of the canyon, where a stout, arching, natural bridge of volcanic rock is nestled high above among the lichen covered cliffs. Unfortunately, the trail doesn't go up to it, but the view is great.

The drive is paved highway all the way. If you plan on carpooling with someone, please chip in for gas.

Don’t forget to wear comfortable hiking or walking shoes, bring lots of water, carry a light lunch and snacks, and bring your sun protection. Hiking staff or poles will be a great help .

You can plan to be gone most of the day.

12/13/2025

There are only a few of us heading out to NM today, and many wanted to participate, so we’ll schedule this again for sometime next month.

12/11/2025

Saturday Hike--Cottonwood Canyon NM
I took some time this afternoon to scout the way into Cottonwood Canyon near Lordsburg and was able to find my way into the wash despite the several years since I was last there.
So, Saturday is a go.

This is a great hike but tough. It's 4.2 miles of bushwhacking across the desert . Then 4.2 miles back to vehicles. Once at the river, you find several amazing things to explore: bedrock matates, turquoise colored rock in the cliffs, volcanic extrusions, a narrow canyon, a slide down to the river, and petroglyphs.

East Meet-up at DRG next to Safford Bowl at 8AM. Plan on being gone all day. We'll probably get back around 4:30 pm.

Bring the usual lunch, snacks, and lots of water. This is very exposed, so hats and sunscreen are a must. You may want to bring a pair of extra socks since there is a possibility of walking in water.

The drive is 1.5 hours. It includes driving down dirt ranch roads. Dirt roads are in pretty good condition. There are several little, sandy washes and eroded troughs to cross, and high clearance vehicles are recommended. We will drive in as close as we can. We will carpool as many people as possible.

See you Saturday.

11/19/2025

No Hike November 22.
I feel that the weather, and life are just out to get me. We have not been able to clear the path into the area we want to hike Saturday, and I have not been able to come up with a plan B, C or D. So, we'll reschedule this for early next year.

Enjoy your Saturday and have a great Thanksgiving.

11/15/2025

Changing meet-up location

Looks like the storm predicted for tonight and tomorrow did not materialize so we will head into Ash Creek tomorrow at 7:30 am.

HOWEVER, WE WILL MEET UP ACROSS THE STREET IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS AS THE COUNTY IS HAVING AN AUCTION TOMORROW IN OUR MEET-UP SPOT.

11/12/2025

Read on about early meet-up.

Saturday’s hike is to Ash Creek in the Galiuro Mountains. It is one of the bedazzling – and unknown – fall color spots in Arizona. It’s the stuff Arizona Highways Magazine covers are made of.

Expect to be gone all day. We should get to the trail sometime around 9:00 because we are starting out a bit earlier. Meet-up is at 7:30 at the Fairground Parking Lot.

Once at the trailhead, proceed at your own pace,going as far upstream as you like. There is a lovely stand of aspen about3.7 miles in that makes a natural turn-around point. Trailhead Elevation is 4,917 feet with an elevation gain of 987 feet (5,904 feet).

This is an out-and-back hike; return the way you came. You will need to hike some distance to get into the fall colors. Allow a good 2.5-3 hours to wander up through the trees, and another 2 to get back to the car sometime around 3pm. We’ll probably get you back to Safford around 4:30-5:00.

Meet-up is at 7:30 in the Fairground Parking Lot off Highway 191 across from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We will arrange carpooling and get directions. Please bring the usual lunch, lots of drinking water, hiking poles, sun protection, and good shoes for hiking. Don't forget your phones or cameras; it's a great opportunity for pictures.

Road Conditions: The drive includes paved highway and a good dirt road to the forest boundary. The last 1.5 miles is a primitive road, and it's not too bad. In fact it is in the best condition I've ever seen. A high clearance vehicle is required to traverse the last 1.5 miles as there are a couple of rocky, dry stream crossings.

Weather Forecast: There is a prediction of rain as a cold front moves in on Friday. I will check the Wilcox weather early Saturday morning since they are a different weather pattern than Safford. If it is raining, I will cancel the hike. I will send out an email and post on Facebook by 7:00am. Please watch for my communication.Hope to see you Saturday.