Journal June 16 Down into the Canyons
The sloping divide above Sheep Corral Canyon fell off gradually at first then when the route left the road for Sapillo Creek trail the descent became more dramtic, punctuated by an occasional series of switchbacks. 1,800 feet below our campsite we found the bottomlands near the confluence of Sapillo Creek and the Gila River.
Our route takes us up the Gila, crossing frequently from one side to the other. Dramatic bluffs, cliffs and mountains tower over the lush, flat bottomlands of the Gila Canyon. Great Blue Heron, various ducks, bullfrogs, large Chubb, deer and a great variety of birds are common. The green vegatation: willows, pines, eucalyptus and cottonwood trees stand in contrast to the desert vegetation on the canyon slopes.
We come across a father, three sons and two dogs out on a backpack trip through the canyon. They are headed downstream as we go upstream so we exchange pleasantries and go on our way.
A cottonwood tree by the bank makes a nice rest stop for lunch, a swim and a siesta.
The “trail” comes and goes, large sections flooded out, or just non existant, but, in other places, a well worn path on a high bench makes pleasant walking. But the approach to each crossing is clogged with the cobble laden dry stream beds leftover from high flow and the banks are a thicket of willows, weeds and tall white clover growing dense and reaching well over human height. Finding the trail segments is a real challenge.
Overall, progress is slow because of the challenges of the non trail sections and the many crossings. (We crossed the Gila 39 times in about 8.5 miles). But the canyon bottom is green and serene. We make camp in a stand of Ponderosa and Juniper. Crickets and the steady soft sounds of the river flowing nearby lull us to sleep.
12.5 miles
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