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| Hiking | 7.57 Miles |
1,406 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.57 Miles | 3 Hrs 25 Mns | | 2.33 mph |
| 1,406 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | I drew this one up on the map because I was interested in cooling off at the ~9000 foot elevation and it looked like there would be some decent views from most of it. Only later did we encounter signs that showed a stretch of our route was actually an old trail.
We started near Smith Spring (no sign of water or infrastructure) along FR 4023V. Upon later examination it appears that 4023V is no longer a motor vehicle road under the Gila MVUM so we should have parked at its junction with 385. Next time.
We headed up the draw containing the dry Smith Creek, a pleasant meadow stroll lined with numerous small cattle tanks and plenty of worn tracks to follow. A mile in, near Smith Tank we cut straight west and climbed quickly about 500 feet to an old two track numbered 4002P on maps and followed it north to point 9309. Here we enjoyed great views of Escudilla, where storms were in full swing. From this point we traveled northeast for a mile, following the edge of steep plateau that I decided to call Jim Smith Rim. The views to the north and west were second to none.
We took a lunch break at this spot, a 90-degree corner in the rim where we were at the point sticking farthest north, with 270 degree views across the surrounding landscape. Another mile and a half of rimside hiking toward the southeast brought us to the edge of the plateau with views to Jones Peak and 9334 ... technically the highest point in this area, but one we opted against heading over to it.
It was along this section that we passed the old Jim Smith Trail and noted its route. Views across the nearby Spur Lake Basin and all the way down to the named peaks of the Gila Wilderness were spectacular.
We headed over toward the namesake peak on this hike and the storms that had surrounded us and threatened most of day began to more forcefully inform us to get off the peak. Which we did. In an effort to get down more quickly we took an off-trail route directly into the draw that connected to the Jim Smith Trail. It was a steep and messy descent, but we were happy to be back down in the valley as the sky opened up on us and thunder boomed.
A mile later, soaked and muddy, we were happy to be back in the truck and headed back to camp.
I'd revise the ascent choice and stick to the JS Trail on the way down, but if I'm ever nearby again, the full rim traverse is as nice a hike as I can imagine finding in this area. |
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| I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies. |
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