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| Backpack | 14.00 Miles |
2,200 AEG |
| | Backpack | 14.00 Miles | 3 Days | | |
| 2,200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| partners | | John, Jason, Gary and I left my house in Safford on Friday AM, and headed for New Mexico. This was going to be Jason and Gary's first trip to the Gila Wilderness. We ate lunch in Glenwood, then it was off to Sandy Point Trailhead. Skies darkened as soon as we hit the Crest Trail, and it rained a little.
A couple of miles in, we came across a piece of twisted metal along the trail. Looking up slope, I noticed what appeared to be a plane wreck. "I don't remember that on our last trip", I thought. We dropped our packs, and explored the wreckage for awhile, looking for clues. A freshly cut path to the wreck let us know someone had been here before. A newspaper gave us a date of November 2007 or later.
With our packs on again, we continued through the spruce jungle, and arrived at Hummingbird Saddle late in the afternoon. We set up camp in the trees above the saddle, roamed around a bit, and got to know our neighbors: a family of well traveled backpackers from the Netherlands, and an adventurous principal from Seattle. John and I watered up at Hummingbird Spring, then returned to camp at sunset. While we cooked dinner, John, who was experiencing an altitude sickness headache at our 10,400 foot campsite, went to bed. The rest of us soon followed, as the cool air and brisk evening breeze overwhelmed us desert dwellers.
The next morning, a fully recovered John joined us in the meadow at Hummingbird Saddle for relaxation and a partaking of our collective reading material. Afterwards it was off to the summit of Whitewater Baldy for neverending views of the incredible Gila Wilderness. Gary went in search of a cell phone signal, while we watched clouds build over the Mogollons. Upon returning to camp, we were treated to a mother turkey and her two chicks. At some point, John decided on Mountain House Turkey Tetrazini for dinner.
Later that afternoon, Jason and I hiked aways down the Whitewater Trail #207 to see what it had to offer. A bit more primitive, and absolutely beautiful, as was expected.
Late afternoon brought the realization that I had lost my trekking poles at some point during the day, and off I went, retracing my steps. I ended up having to reclaim them from another party, who had thought that they had made a lucky find.
Dinner that night was followed by a wide assortment of beverages, stargazing, and one of Jason's hilarious improvised "stories".
Sunday morning was our return hike. The guys thought I was joking when I asked them to leave me there. I wouldn't mind that at all. At least not until winter...
Back at the trailhead, we cleaned up, then it was off to Glenwood again for "real food" at Blue Front Cafe. I was dropped off in Safford, and the rest of the guys headed back to the Valley.
It was a great trip, and a much needed break from the stress of civilized life for me. |
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Hummingbird Spring |
Gallon per minute |
Gallon per minute |
| | | Flowing nicely from the 2 pipes into a small pool. Clear, cold and delicious. | | _____________________
| "…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan |
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