The Gila Wilderness is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before in my life. Two full days of exploring and learning made this trip worth it on so many levels. Despite this feeling, my heart aches in a way, because two days was not nearly enough time. I was only able to see a fraction of what the landscape has to offer. The unforgiving nature of the desert and mountains collide to create a craggy maze of canyons seldom seen by the general public. In these canyons swims one of the worlds rarest trout species. The "Gila Trout".. I’m sure a lot of anglers like myself have read articles and seen pictures but have never actually been lucky enough to chase them.
Being able to backpack my way in and camp streamside was a dream come true. I was the only person in the canyon and had the entire stream to myself. How often does that ever happen?
The Gila National Forest is vast and sparsely populated landscape that spans from SW New Mexico to Arizona. So even getting in and out of a place like this is no walk in the park. Forest fires, rock slides, bears, and snakes also have a way of deterring the “average angler” from the treasures that swim in the crystal clear water.
After spending two days in the belly of the beast.. I will say, this is not for the faint of heart. You need to be in great shape and have a back up plan for every scenario. This is the kind of land that is unforgiving in such a beautiful way. If the daytime heat doesn't bake you alive, then the night time chill will make your teeth chatter. Bring as much water as you can folks.. because once you leave the comfort of the canyon bottom, it is bone dry.
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