Jordan Warm Springs (Gila Wilderness) in Early March

[Bojan]

Hi All,

I am thinking of backpacking to Jordan Warm Springs in Gila this early March. I haven't been there for more than 5 years, so I feel that area might have changed.

Does anyone know if there will already be lots of people camping around Jordan? I heard that place became so popular, and perhaps overused.

If you have any recent insights about Jordan, please me us know. Thanks in advance.

[nonot]

I'd guess that it's the most popular backpacking destination in the park, but there's still a chance you can get it to yourself, especially that early in the season. Since it's out of the range of dayhikers you might get it alone in mid-day but at night there's likely others.

[AugustWest]

I was out at Middle Fork/Little Bear Canyon in mid-November. I went CCW and the 20 or so river crossings had me pretty tired so I didn't make the climb up to the hot springs. I would say traffic in the wilderness was healthy but not heavy. There was only one group of backpackers at the junction who were debating on whether to make the climb up. Early March seems smart because of how cold it gets out there as long as you don't mind waking up in the teens or potentially colder. Going in and out of Little Bear also seems smart because the Middle Fork is going to be cold AF.

[ShatteredArm]

@Bojan
I'd think March would be before peak season, but when I was there last May it was ridiculous. Campers ignoring the fire bans, people bathing nude in broad daylight, etc.

[chumley]

people bathing nude in broad daylight

Oh the horror!
(This is customary and should be expected at hot springs anywhere. And as always those who probably shouldn't are generally the ones who do. )

[ShatteredArm]

@chumley
Something can be both customary and bad behavior.

[chumley]

@ShatteredArm
We probably agree that campers ignoring fire bans is bad behavior!

[nonot]

@ShatteredArm
I find that if you just expect bad behavior of everyone you encounter in life, you will be much less disappointed, and also rarely you will be happily surprised when you see responsible behavior.

[AugustWest]

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