Gila River Canyons - AZT #16, AZ

Overview
This passage begins at the Kelvin Bridge as it crosses the Gila River. Just beyond the north end of the bridge the route turns west onto Centurian Road and follows this through a private home area to the new single-track trail. The trail then follows the Gila River for many miles - sometimes rising several hundred feet above and sometimes near river level. It passes through several gates, crosses numerous canyon drainages, and occasionally catches a glimpse of The Spine, Walnut Canyon Narrows, Copper Butte, and The Rincon, all to the north.


At just over 15 miles from the beginning, the trail turns north, leaving the river, and traverses through the canyons. It climbs steadily on new single-track and several short sections of old mining roads. After traversing spectacular ridgelines and winding around numerous side drainages, the trail crosses the boundary of Tonto National Forest and then ends at a gate on an abandoned two-track road.

Southern Trailhead: Gila River - Kelvin Bridge

Northern Trailhead: Tonto NF Boundary

Note
This page is open to authors. The hike must be listed South to North as one-way. Do not include an overview as the above is permanent.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Note
This is a more difficult hike. It would be unwise to attempt this without prior experience hiking.

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2018-07-14 HAZ_Hikebot