Buds Hole - backpacking Gila Wilderness

Bud’s Hole
Type: Out & back
Mileage: 13.6 miles ⚠️
Estimated time to complete: 4-6 hrs⚠️
Elevation: 2,600 ft gain/loss) ⚠️
Difficultly: hard/strenuous ⚠️

Located on the western end of the Gila National Forest, this backpacking trail offers panoramic views of the Mogollon Range along with exploration of the canyon box of Buds Hole inside of the Gila Wilderness.

Dogs are welcome as long as they can do the mileage. You are responsible for the safety and well being of your dog. Please be sure that your dog is friendly with other dogs.

We will meet at the Kohl’s/Starbucks off Red Road on the west side at 6:00 p.m. and leave sharply at 6:15 p.m. Please arrive with a full tank of gas. We will then drive to the Valero located on the New Mexico highway 180 in Deming. Please meet here at the Valero if you are coming from outside of El Paso. We will stop here for a bathroom break. We will then continue on to the Shell gas station located in Silver City by the Wal-Mart to refuel our vehicles. We will then drive out to Bill Evans Lake to set up camp for the night. Saturday morning we will head out at 7 am to continue our way to the Mogollon Creek Trail (T153) and begin our 6 3/4 mile hike into the wilderness. We will take a left on Rain Creek (T189) at the junction. We will set up camp near the Mogollon Creek at buds hole. Fishing is allowed. Be sure to have your license. Sunday we hike out back the way we came.

Optional: I will be staying an extra day at the Gila. You are more than welcome to join me. I will be driving (2 hrs) to go to the hot springs near the cliff dwellings. I will be camping out Sunday. I will return home Monday.

Participants should be in good physical condition to attend this outing. Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement located under the "What we're about" heading.

For safety reasons we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together. No one will be allowed to hike ahead at any time. If you are unwilling to comply with this please do not sign up.

⚠️I reserve the right to remove any one from this hike. ⚠️ If you need to reach me 915-241-2014

Thank You

What to bring
Day-hike gear, water/sports drinks, hiking poles, snacks, tent, good, sleeping bag. Bring the 10 essentials:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/day-hiking-checklist.html