Gila River Loop

Total Miles
20.4

Elevation

824.67 ft

Duration

4 Hours

Technical Rating

5

Moderate

Best Time

Spring, Fall

Trail Overview

You'll like this fun little loop that's especially nice when the river is flowing. The bulk of the trail is comprised of sandy washes, but there's a portion that's rocky and challenging along the river around South Butte. Cool things to see include an old stone cabin in ruins and a railroad trestle. If you're camping, there is a boulder-encircled site, as well as a large staging area at the trailhead. You'll need a State Trust Land permit for this one.

Difficulty

Moderate: The washes are easy, but the stretch between Waypoints 04 and 07 is narrow in spots with very tight brush. One rocky descent has a big ledge to drop down, but a high clearance SUV with experienced driver should be able to handle it.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Christopher Griffin
Nov 26, 2023
4x4
Open
Normal
Rough/Deteriorated
Ricky D
Nov 24, 2023
SxS
Open
lucas lachney
Oct 01, 2023
SxS
Open
Dusty
Normal
Washboard
Rough/Deteriorated
Tony Lopez
May 05, 2023
4x4
Open
Normal

Access Description

From Florence, head south on Highway 79 about a mile and turn east (left) on Florence-Kelvin Highway. Pavement ends after 12.5 miles. Continue another 3.6 miles to Cochran Road on left.

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