Being There: A Quick Summary of a Weekend in the Wilderness
My partner and I, along with 10 friends, just returned from a 4-day weekend in the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico. This is a location that Susan and I have wanted to explore ever since our first spring in New Mexico, but each time we planned a trip, the wilderness caught on fire and was closed to visitors. So we planned this trip earlier and decided to take a bunch of friends with us so we could have a send-off from New Mexico that included the land in the celebration.
First, let me say that we love the geography in this state. We have traveled most of it, and the diversity is amazing and breathtaking. (One might even say enchanting!) Maybe you are unaware that New Mexico is home to the humongous Carlsbad Caverns, or the White Sands desert; there is also the Carson National Forest, the Pecos Wilderness, the Jemez Hot Springs, numerous Native pueblos and ruins, flat agricultural land, and amazing mountain ranges. The Gila Wilderness is like a combination platter: forest, sand, rocks, cacti, pine trees, hot springs, Native ruins, caves, etc. So this trip really was like saying goodbye by being in the heart of New Mexico.
We drove the 5.5 hours on Friday and started our hike at about 3:00 in the afternoon. We took the Turkey Creek Trail because there are hot springs and camping spots in the canyon. We had to cross the Gila River three times, usually only 12-20 inches in depth, though occasionally I found spots that were about 3 feet deep. Then we followed a trail due north that required crossing back and forth across the creek at very shallow areas (1-5"). We found an opening that could provide sufficient tent-sites for the 12 of us (6 tent areas--it probably could have fit 3 more comfortably). It was right by the creek, but the view was obstructed by a nice canopy of trees, so we could hear the water, but had to walk around a grove to see/filter water. This was nice because the mosquitoes tended to stay right by the water, and we didn't have to fight bug-bites all night long. At this opening, a stone fire pit had been constructed, and four or five logs dragged around the pit. Though there were fire restrictions and so no campfires, this set-up allowed us to eat dinner together comfortably, and designated our gathering place for evening songs, jokes, and games.
Friday evening was spent exploring the immediate area for latrines, water access, signs of animals, etc. We encountered the Others: a group (family?) with wild hair, homemade clothes, dogs, and goats, who seemed to be living in the wilderness. We started dinner early and enjoyed a night of drinking and laughter, and a little bit of philosophy. We crashed pretty early.
On Saturday, we were waiting for 4 of our group who had to come later from Albuquerque to find us, so I went off on a couple hikes on the other side of the creek by myself. I enjoyed a nap on a stone hanging over the creek and some reading in a dried up creek bed. I didn't see too many mammals on this trip, but on the second hike I saw a small brownish animal that looked like some type of rodent, probably a field mouse. We did see lots of lizards and toads, a few birds (a hummingbird made friends with Susan's face--she has all the luck with birds), and others saw porcupines. We had a fiery guard dog with us: Doodle, the curious dachshund.
When the others did join us, we decided to look for the hot springs. However, 8 of us got separated from the trail guide, and we found our own pool of water and some interesting rocks to climb. Then we walked the ridge trail, which provided a 360-degree view of the entire valley...an amazing sight of constantly changing terrain, beautiful cliffs and trees, and a cornucopia of crowns for our would-be forest king. (My friend Will kept finding amazing things to put on his head: sticks shaped like deer antlers, a large plant with a bulbous bottom, etc.) We also found a magic stick whose wood had carbonized so that it could be used for face paint, and we became the tribe of dark faces. Another night around the fire pit (sans fire), but this night Brandon had joined us with his Spanish guitar. We made up serious songs about silly topics, incorporating themes from the day's events and conversations.
I slept in on Sunday, unfortunately. I had enjoyed the alone time on Saturday, but everyone was up and eager to do more exploring by the time I got to breakfast. We ate, and two of us did meditation by the creek while two others went on the ridge trail again. Then we all joined up and set off for the hot springs, this time either with the guide or with a plan. Those with the guide numbered 9 and included Susan. I had the plan of just walking the creek to its source (which were the springs), and two of our group joined me. Susan says the trail was amazing, and I did get to see some of it, especially on the way back, but I think my highlight of the trip was the water-walk. I got to stand under a 7(?) foot waterfall (the water was also 5-6 feet deep) and take a natural shower. We climbed up that and another waterfall. I waded through mud and reeds in a grove that looked like Kipling's Jungle Book India, and we saw amazing crystals, toads, and rock formations. When we finally made it to the hot springs, I felt a little saddened that the journey was over, and since I prefer cold water to hot, I could have spent much more time downstream. Nevertheless, there were four pools of varying degrees, which included a deep pool at the bottom of a cliff from which many jumped. People made mud masks and we lounged around the area for several hours. I found a comfortable spot under a low tree, with a reclining rock and headrest, where the nearby waterfall splashed a mist lightly on my legs and face. We ate lunch, swam, climbed, laughed, and read in probably the most isolated and serene place I have ever been.
Sunday night we had a late dinner and many hit the sack early, exhausted from the hiking and swimming and knowing that then next day meant hiking back out with our packs. Sure enough, Monday morning consisted of a lazy breakfast, filtering water, and packing up. We cleaned up the site back to the pristine setting we had encountered (which the night before had seemed impossible), and then hiked back to the cars. My water shoes were pretty devastated, so when we had to do the water crossings, I started getting very sore feet from all the rocks and sticks that were rubbing against my lacerations. This, however, was the only painful or uncomfortable part of the trip, and Patrick (our guide and a good friend) said these could be my battle scars. They were definitely worth it (even though the pain was intense). I feel refreshed and ready to take on summer teaching duties, but I also feel enlivened and desirous to return to the wild as soon as possible.
First, let me say that we love the geography in this state. We have traveled most of it, and the diversity is amazing and breathtaking. (One might even say enchanting!) Maybe you are unaware that New Mexico is home to the humongous Carlsbad Caverns, or the White Sands desert; there is also the Carson National Forest, the Pecos Wilderness, the Jemez Hot Springs, numerous Native pueblos and ruins, flat agricultural land, and amazing mountain ranges. The Gila Wilderness is like a combination platter: forest, sand, rocks, cacti, pine trees, hot springs, Native ruins, caves, etc. So this trip really was like saying goodbye by being in the heart of New Mexico.
We drove the 5.5 hours on Friday and started our hike at about 3:00 in the afternoon. We took the Turkey Creek Trail because there are hot springs and camping spots in the canyon. We had to cross the Gila River three times, usually only 12-20 inches in depth, though occasionally I found spots that were about 3 feet deep. Then we followed a trail due north that required crossing back and forth across the creek at very shallow areas (1-5"). We found an opening that could provide sufficient tent-sites for the 12 of us (6 tent areas--it probably could have fit 3 more comfortably). It was right by the creek, but the view was obstructed by a nice canopy of trees, so we could hear the water, but had to walk around a grove to see/filter water. This was nice because the mosquitoes tended to stay right by the water, and we didn't have to fight bug-bites all night long. At this opening, a stone fire pit had been constructed, and four or five logs dragged around the pit. Though there were fire restrictions and so no campfires, this set-up allowed us to eat dinner together comfortably, and designated our gathering place for evening songs, jokes, and games.
Friday evening was spent exploring the immediate area for latrines, water access, signs of animals, etc. We encountered the Others: a group (family?) with wild hair, homemade clothes, dogs, and goats, who seemed to be living in the wilderness. We started dinner early and enjoyed a night of drinking and laughter, and a little bit of philosophy. We crashed pretty early.
On Saturday, we were waiting for 4 of our group who had to come later from Albuquerque to find us, so I went off on a couple hikes on the other side of the creek by myself. I enjoyed a nap on a stone hanging over the creek and some reading in a dried up creek bed. I didn't see too many mammals on this trip, but on the second hike I saw a small brownish animal that looked like some type of rodent, probably a field mouse. We did see lots of lizards and toads, a few birds (a hummingbird made friends with Susan's face--she has all the luck with birds), and others saw porcupines. We had a fiery guard dog with us: Doodle, the curious dachshund.
When the others did join us, we decided to look for the hot springs. However, 8 of us got separated from the trail guide, and we found our own pool of water and some interesting rocks to climb. Then we walked the ridge trail, which provided a 360-degree view of the entire valley...an amazing sight of constantly changing terrain, beautiful cliffs and trees, and a cornucopia of crowns for our would-be forest king. (My friend Will kept finding amazing things to put on his head: sticks shaped like deer antlers, a large plant with a bulbous bottom, etc.) We also found a magic stick whose wood had carbonized so that it could be used for face paint, and we became the tribe of dark faces. Another night around the fire pit (sans fire), but this night Brandon had joined us with his Spanish guitar. We made up serious songs about silly topics, incorporating themes from the day's events and conversations.
I slept in on Sunday, unfortunately. I had enjoyed the alone time on Saturday, but everyone was up and eager to do more exploring by the time I got to breakfast. We ate, and two of us did meditation by the creek while two others went on the ridge trail again. Then we all joined up and set off for the hot springs, this time either with the guide or with a plan. Those with the guide numbered 9 and included Susan. I had the plan of just walking the creek to its source (which were the springs), and two of our group joined me. Susan says the trail was amazing, and I did get to see some of it, especially on the way back, but I think my highlight of the trip was the water-walk. I got to stand under a 7(?) foot waterfall (the water was also 5-6 feet deep) and take a natural shower. We climbed up that and another waterfall. I waded through mud and reeds in a grove that looked like Kipling's Jungle Book India, and we saw amazing crystals, toads, and rock formations. When we finally made it to the hot springs, I felt a little saddened that the journey was over, and since I prefer cold water to hot, I could have spent much more time downstream. Nevertheless, there were four pools of varying degrees, which included a deep pool at the bottom of a cliff from which many jumped. People made mud masks and we lounged around the area for several hours. I found a comfortable spot under a low tree, with a reclining rock and headrest, where the nearby waterfall splashed a mist lightly on my legs and face. We ate lunch, swam, climbed, laughed, and read in probably the most isolated and serene place I have ever been.
Sunday night we had a late dinner and many hit the sack early, exhausted from the hiking and swimming and knowing that then next day meant hiking back out with our packs. Sure enough, Monday morning consisted of a lazy breakfast, filtering water, and packing up. We cleaned up the site back to the pristine setting we had encountered (which the night before had seemed impossible), and then hiked back to the cars. My water shoes were pretty devastated, so when we had to do the water crossings, I started getting very sore feet from all the rocks and sticks that were rubbing against my lacerations. This, however, was the only painful or uncomfortable part of the trip, and Patrick (our guide and a good friend) said these could be my battle scars. They were definitely worth it (even though the pain was intense). I feel refreshed and ready to take on summer teaching duties, but I also feel enlivened and desirous to return to the wild as soon as possible.