Tip to would-be Gila Wilderness hikers: at the cliff dwelling visitor center they post the current flow rates of various sections of the river and the volunteers can help you figure out where and if it's safe to cross. Enjoy
Nicely done! Love your attitude. The Gila is so awesome, I get tired of all the whining videos by CDT hikers complaining about wet feet. Nice to see someone embrace the adventure. Following.
It is hardly fear-mongering to say that there are times when the Gila is NOT fordable. This is my home and I have had to turn around more than once due to the high condition of the Gila. In a recent RU-vid, Catherine Gregory and company had to come back down the west fork rather than continue on down the middle fork as planned due to the extreme flow of the Gila. The right decision is always the safe one. The wrong choice frequently has eternal consequences. And bottom line here, we are not talking about crossing a swollen stream a couple of times. RU-vidr Dixie noted that when you hike the middle fork alternate, you cross the Gila over 200 times.
Not sure I would be game to walk through the grasses after seeing a rattle snake! Well done with all the river crossings. The hot springs must’ve been a lovely reward.
