Gila River near Christmas, AZ

[James86004]

We did a little exploring of the right bank of the Gila upstream of Winkelman this past weekend. Didn't see anyone else, it was a great time. We had 3 families, each with girls between 5 and 9 years old. Camped overnight and spent some time in the water. The road was one you need low range for and spotting in a couple of places, but not too bad.

Although most of it was on BLM land, you have to cross state land at the beginning so you need a State Land Permit.

Our Route: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...632636342591632466.0004840c928f36839e041&z=15


Gila River from an overlook


Camp



Hiking upstream

 

[Tucson T4R]

Looks like a great spot. I had never thought about exploring that area and I have driven by there many time over the years. Obviously not a summer location but for spring and fall it would be great. :elkgrin:

 

[James86004]

Two of our friends used to get paid to hike all over cataloging archaeological sites. They are the ones who took us.

 

[Richie]

I'll be camping in the Gila Wilderness next weekend. I've never been in that part of NM and can't wait. I don't know if we're going to see the Gila River or not though.

 

[RunninRubicon]

Gila

I like to Kayak down this river from Winkleman to the Young Rd bridge crossing. Great fun this time of year. Camping in Winkleman and the state park at the bridge is always great this time of year. Way too hot in another month though.:sombrero:

 

[kellymoe]

Is this section dam controled or spring run off. Looks like a great place to paddle. Nothing better than a river in the desert.

I like to Kayak down this river from Winkleman to the Young Rd bridge crossing. Great fun this time of year. Camping in Winkleman and the state park at the bridge is always great this time of year. Way too hot in another month though.:sombrero:

 

[James86004]

I like to Kayak down this river from Winkleman to the Young Rd bridge crossing. Great fun this time of year. Camping in Winkleman and the state park at the bridge is always great this time of year. Way too hot in another month though.:sombrero:

Where is Young Rd bridge? I looked downstream from Winkelman all the way to the Ashurst-Hayden diversion dam and didn't see it, although there were a couple of crossings that were not labeled on Google Earth.

Is this section dam controled or spring run off. Looks like a great place to paddle. Nothing better than a river in the desert.

It is downstream of the Coolidge Dam. Right now they are letting all the water flow through it, so the river is very high and the lake is low.

 

[RunninRubicon]

Mispoken

You got me. I was remembering two different rivers. We go in the Gila at about the Christmas mine area. There are several access points along Hwy 77 heading north out of Winkleman. We float down along the North Camino Rio Rd to about the end of the runway of the airport. Camino Rio Rd has an access point there that's easy to exit the river from. It has room to park the pick-up vehicle in relative safety while your floating the river.
The Globe-Young Bridge is on the Salt River. Which is another wonderful river I kayak. Access is...shhhh. From Globe on hwy 188 north out of town, exit on the old state hwy 88 (just before leaving the river valley out of Globe itself). From old hwy 88 go to Hicks Rd down by the Apache Trail mobile home park. Then go north on Hicks rd about a mile and a half to Shate Springs rd. This road will take you (eventually) to a creek bottom in the Tonto National forest that will allow you access to the Salt River. From there you can float to the Globe-Young Bridge on hwy 288. Very quiet, remote. Less traveled. You will find out what I am speaking to, using your Google Earth map. This route is NOT advertised.
But maybe not anymore!!:coffeedrink:

 

[timh]

I have paddled the section of Gila from Chrstmas to Winklemen a couple of times. I have been wanting to go explore that area you went for quite some time now!

 

[James86004]

You got me. I was remembering two different rivers. We go in the Gila at about the Christmas mine area. There are several access points along Hwy 77 heading north out of Winkleman. We float down along the North Camino Rio Rd to about the end of the runway of the airport. Camino Rio Rd has an access point there that's easy to exit the river from. It has room to park the pick-up vehicle in relative safety while your floating the river.
The Globe-Young Bridge is on the Salt River. Which is another wonderful river I kayak. Access is...shhhh. From Globe on hwy 188 north out of town, exit on the old state hwy 88 (just before leaving the river valley out of Globe itself). From old hwy 88 go to Hicks Rd down by the Apache Trail mobile home park. Then go north on Hicks rd about a mile and a half to Shate Springs rd. This road will take you (eventually) to a creek bottom in the Tonto National forest that will allow you access to the Salt River. From there you can float to the Globe-Young Bridge on hwy 288. Very quiet, remote. Less traveled. You will find out what I am speaking to, using your Google Earth map. This route is NOT advertised.
But maybe not anymore!!:coffeedrink:

Ahh! That makes sense, now. Thanks.

 

[dirty Bakers]

I'll be camping in the Gila Wilderness next weekend. I've never been in that part of NM and can't wait. I don't know if we're going to see the Gila River or not though.

The Gila wilderness is one place I have wanted spend some time exploring ever since I found out about it (last year). Please take some pictures and do a trip report.
The Gila river in AZ has always captured my interest ever since we did some swimming in it near Thatcher AZ in high school. Just seems like I never head that direction.