Turkey Creek Trail #155 • Hike • New Mexico • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

login for filter options

Jun 27 2020

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

White Creek to Mogollon Crest, NM

Run/Jog		Jun 27 2020
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	14.61 Miles	2,017 AEG

Run/Jog	14.61 Miles	5 Hrs 20 Mns	2.74 mph
	2,017 ft AEG

Linked

linked

Turkey Creek Trail #155

Mogollon Creek Trail #153

Partners

none

no partners

This was intended to be a day trip up to the Mogollon Baldy summit. I wasn't sure whether to take Mogollon Baldy trail or the slightly longer route through Rawmeat Creek and along the crest. Having seen the start of Mogollon Baldy trail the day before, and knowing that it goes through a big burn scar, I thought route finding might be problematic. So I opted for the longer route.

Started up Trail 155 at White Creek Cabin (this part of the trail is labeled as "Little Creek Trail" on the maps), and headed up to McKenna Park. By the time I got up there I was already feeling the lack of sleep and the fatigue from the previous day, so I had a lot of doubts whether I would actually make it to the summit. McKenna Park is mostly easy going.

Headed down into Rawmeat Creek, where there was nice, refreshing flow up to a little past the Trail 302 junction. This was a nice stretch of trail. Once past Trail 302, it got a lot trickier, with the trail entering into a mile-and-a-half-or-so long burn scar. Couldn't find the trail half the time, but knew based on the map where to exit.

Once on the ridge up to the crest, it became a little easier, though it was quite steep in a couple of places. The view from the top overlooking the Mogollon Creek drainage was fantastic. Visually seeing how far up the crest I would need to go, along with a lack of any sign of Trail 169, I decided that some swimming in West Fork would be nice, and headed back down.

_____________________

Sep 20 2019

derpsquad

Routes 2
Photos 64
Triplogs 10

35 male

Joined Sep 09 2015
Tucson, AZ

Gila Wilderness Loop, NM

Backpack		Sep 20 2019
		derpsquad • Triplogs 10

Backpack	60.00 Miles

Backpack	60.00 Miles	4 Days

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Granny Mountain Trail #160

Little Creek Trail #161

Turkey Creek Trail #155

Trotter Trail #30

Chicken Coop Trail #29

Prior Creek Trail #156

Middle Fork Trail #157

Little Bear Trail #729

Partners

none

no partners

Day 1

Started at Woody's Corral and headed up Granny Mtn 160 which is quite exposed but has excellent views looking South into the Gila. Once on Little Creek 161, the ponderosas come out and provide shade through the whole canyon. Tons of wildflowers and knee high bright green grass from the recent monsoons. It's an relaxing, level, and beautiful stroll. Intermittent water through Litte Creek. We set up camp at a great site near the spring at the intersection of Turkey Creek 155 and Little Creek 161 and hiked up to Granite peak which has fantastic 360 views of the wilderness.

Day 2

Started up Turkey Creek 155 which was flowing pretty good until the climb over the Diablo Mtns. Great views on top of the Diablos. McKenna Park is like walking through a fairy tale. Pretty hard not to have a smile plastered across your face for 7 miles with wildflowers up to our waist, wide open meadows, and old growth ponderosas providing shade through the entire park. What a beautiful place. Dropped into West Fork at the White Creek Administrative Site and had lunch next to the river. About a dozen switchbacks later on Trotter 30 and we were out of the canyon up on the mesa. Lilley Park was another highlight and definitely worth a visit. Water at Lilley Park spring. Planned on camping off Chicken Coop 29 but the creek was dry so we pressed onto Prior Cabin which typically has reliable water (it did). Saw a herd of 20+ Elk in Chicken Coop.

Day 3

After about 3 miles on Prior Creek 156 some pretty incredible views of the middle fork emerge which are worth a moment of reflection. This is shortly followed by a steep drop down to Middle Fork 157. After all the monsoon rains the canyon was blooming with life (more than usual). We strolled down to Jordan Hot Springs and soaked for hours. Awesome place to camp especially after a couple of big days.

Day 4

Continued down the beautiful Middle Fork 157 which had some recent trail work to Little Bear 729 which turns into a pretty cool slot canyon. Back to the truck before noon and off to Tucson.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Jordon Hot Springs Lilley Park McKenna Park Middle Fork Gila River West Fork Gila River

_____________________

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

username		X
password		X