Arizona Backpackers Club (ABC)

Please read the whole description before joining.
The Gila Wilderness (New Mexico) is the nation’s oldest designated wilderness, and if you haven’t been, this is a great opportunity to experience one of the Southwest’s most unique landscapes. This will be my 7th trip into the Gila, and both routes have been ABC trips I’ve organized. Oh, the Gila has never disappointed
This will be a four-day, three-night backpacking trip, with the exact route finalized closer to departure based on water conditions (both availability and creek levels). My preference is the longer option, but flexibility is key in the Gila.

Route Options
I'll choose one of the following about a week before the trip:
Option 1 – Snow Lake / Lilley Mountain Lollipop
• ~32 miles total
• Start and finish at Snow Lake
• Middle Fork of the Gila, Lilley Park, Lilley Mountain area
• Mix of canyon hiking, high-elevation forest, and open plateau
• Some river crossings, generally ankle to knee deep
• One ~10-mile day; other days are shorter
OnX route https://webmap.onxmaps.com/backcountry/share/content?share_id=01KFTWKH16KK30N0BQECF7WZFE

Option 2 – Little Creek - West Fork Loop (Preferred if conditions allow)
• ~38 miles total
• Loop from the Gila Cliff Dwellings
• Up Little Creek, over Diablo Range to Rawmeat Canyon, then over to and then down the West Fork
• Creek crossings daily, with one very wet day on the West Fork
• Elevation range roughly 5,700–8,400 ft
• We will average about 10 miles per day
• More water, more miles, and classic Gila scenery
Either route offers reliable water at camps, exceptional scenery, and the quiet, remote feel the Gila is known for.
OnX route https://webmap.onxmaps.com/backcountry/share/content?share_id=01KFTWQ25H3HT7TB1148D307W3

Schedule & Logistics
Wednesday, April 1
• Depart Phoenix around 4:00 pm
• Drive to New Mexico and camp outside of Reserve or Silver City, depending on the chosen route
Thursday, April 2
• Be on trail by 11:00 am at the latest
• Depending upon route either 8 or 10 miles – either way we’ll make camp well before dark.
Friday–Saturday, April 3–4
• Full trail days
• Expect 6–8 hours on trail per day
Sunday, April 5
• Finish hiking in the afternoon
• Drive straight back to Phoenix
• Estimated arrival home between 10 pm and midnight
If you plan to drive separately, just plan to be at Snow Lake or the Cliff Dwellings by 10:00 am on April 2.

Conditions & Expectations
• Water: Plentiful overall, but conditions will dictate route choice
• Weather: April can vary—expect cool mornings, mild days, and colder temps at higher elevations
• Trail: Most sections are maintained, but this is designated wilderness; minor route finding is always possible
• Creek crossings: Likely every day, depth dependent on snowmelt, spring runoff, and beavers. On either route there will be multiple days where we cross the West Fork a lot and shoe changes are just not practical.

Group & Experience Level
I’m not a guide—just a seasoned backpacker with over a decade of experience and many similar trips across the Southwest. I hike with a ZOLEO, prioritize conservative decision-making, and believe the most important part of every trip is getting home safely.
You should have at least a moderate level of experience to join this trip. Each participant is responsible for their own safety, fitness, and gear, and for contributing to a positive group experience.

To keep things manageable, I’m limiting this trip to 6 people total, including myself.
• My vehicle holds 4 people
• If needed, we’ll coordinate a second vehicle
As the trip approaches, I’ll coordinate final logistics carpooling,
If you have questions or want to sanity-check whether this trip is a good fit for you, feel free to message me.

I used to post this trip for June when it starts getting very hot but it’s more enjoyable in cooler temps. The way this winter has been, it’s looking like, it might be hot in April. Few go up here and the ones who do, do it as a day hike or as a 4X4 trip. Although short, this is one my favorite Arizona backpacks.

The name of this place has scared some people in the past from attending. This place has several names but its most commonly referred to as Asbestos Point. The reason for the name is that its located near old asbestos mines that date back 100 "ish" years. The camping area is above the mines and is where the miners stayed. It offers an incredible view of Roosevelt Lake, the eastern Superstitions, Four Peaks and the Pinal's which are south of Globe.

I'd rate this as moderate in difficulty but its doable for most fit people. The trail is along an old decaying forest road that climbs about 1600' in 3 miles. The campsite is at 6300' and usually has water nearby. I'll try to hike it the week before to check. If not, you'll have to carry yours. The asbestos exposure is in the mines which I highly recommend not to go in but few ever listen. Although 1/2 " of the hike got scorched in a couple of fires, the camping area has grass and pines. I’m planning to have a campfire at night 🔥

It’s about a 1.5 hour drive to the TH from the far east valley. This is a passenger car friendly trip but parking is somewhat limited at the starting point. We may have to set up a short car shuttle so we won’t have to leave our cars along the very scenic Young Highway a.k.a. AZ 288

A $2 cash donation would be appreciated so Greg could pay the meetup fee when it comes due.

I'm by no means a professional guide but have spent hundreds of nights out on backpacking trips. The reason I lead trips is not for financial gain but to bring backpackers together and create new friendships. Most of the places that I venture to are remote with help being many hours and sometimes days away. When you attend a trip of mine you must realize that you are responsible for yourself and bad things can happen. I intend on using good judgement when leading but will not be with you at all times, if something bad does happen to anyone, I intend on getting help and/or helping out as soon as its safely possible. I expect the same in return, I watch your back and you watch mine.

This trip is car camping with multiple day-hikes using full backpacking gear loadouts. We are trying to duplicate a day on the SF2T route.

Friday: Drive up in the morning. Yo-yo Kendrick Peak with full gear, car camp nearby off forest road North of the Trailhead (perhaps near Bald Hill Tank). ~9 Mile day.

Saturday: start early, Yo-yo Kendrick again with full gear , take a long lunch, do it again, move back to our basecamp (if it hasn't been taken) ~18 mile day.

Sunday: start early, Yo-yo Kendrick again with full gear, take lunch (if you want) Head home. ~9 Mile day.

You have to do one of these two qualifiers to have an opportunity to be in the group with does SF2T with me. You don't have to do Friday if you can't get there in time, but then you must do Sunday.

The trip provides us the chance to determine can we:

1. Do the miles and elevation without issue?
2. Do we get along? (especially when you have to embrace the suck)

As well as talk about:

1. Is this really something you want to do?
2. Trip logistics (driving in, parking, the route, resupply, etc.)

There are others planning the same trip (SF2T) and they may have different requirements. I've done enough long logistic trips with groups to make sure everyone is on the same page and we have the highest chance of having a great trip.

Wooohoo, a begginer friendly CLASSIC. 😍✨
Horton Creek is a STELLAR place for backpacking. You wanna hike 2 miles in and be done for the day? You wanna adventure all 11 miles up the Creek? You wanna walk around/inside of a river for as long as your hearts desire?
Join me in an overnight, out-and-back galavant along Horton Creek.
I have a tendency to take the Equestrian Trail, so I can walk along side the water almost the entire time. 🥰
There are designated spots to camp alll along Horton, and I figure we just hike until we don’t feel like it. I’ve personally only been about 8-9 miles into it, but I know the last part of it is predominantly uphill, so we’ll post up before that. 😎
As a way to keep this club a-goin, I’m asking for $2 donation at the trailhead, or via Venmo/Paypal.
This trip is for ANYONE who’s lookin to get out there. Whether it’s your first trip, or your 1,000th, this beautiful area high up in elevation is always worth it.
Last year, this time of year was COLD - so be on the weather look out! But this winter has been wickedly warm, so who knows. 🤷‍♀️

WAIVER, RELEASE, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

All hikers show up at your own risk.

Neither this group nor myself take any responsibility for any health risks that might happen during this event. When you RSVP you are accepting these terms upon yourself. By attending any group hike you agree to the following:

I hereby waive, release, and discharge the Meetup Group and its Administrators, moderators, volunteers, organizers, sponsors, members, and participants from any and all claims for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from my participation in any of this group's events. I acknowledge that hiking can be a high-risk sport. I realize there are certain dangers inherent in hiking, and I assume these risks with the full understanding that injuries may result from my participation in any event. I intend this release to discharge the above named from any and all liability arising from or connected in any way with my participation in any event, even though that liability may result from the negligence or carelessness of the above named. I certify that I am in good physical condition, and that I am able to participate in the event.

I have read this waiver and release and fully understand its terms and agree that it shall be binding on my heirs and assigns. I consent to emergency transportation and care at my own expense if I become injured or ill. My RSVP and/or participating in this event is my signature on this waiver.