Gxl – Sagebrush Trails

Gila X Loop 2024 Journal Index

Mineral Creek

GxL Day 9, April 10, Wednesday
Start on Deloche Canyon Trail
End Mineral Creek Road and leave route for several weeks
Miles walked: 14

Having finally found Deloche again, the trail is not too bad, with some signs of trail maintenance– lopping and even a brief section of tread work. Three small caves are visible on a nearby rock outcropping.

The trail exits at Bursum Road above Mogollon. I am guessing since it is a signed trailhead, the trail really is intended to be maintained.

Whitewater

GxL Day 8, April 9, Tuesday
Start Little Whitewater Trail campsite
End Deloche Trail saddle
Miles walked: 16

Coming off of Little Whitewater Trail to Catwalk Road, I was going to visit the catwalk, but the road was just starting to get resurfaced.

Instead, I took a roadwalk to the trailhead for Gold Dust Trail on Bursum Road. This trail connects with Whitewater Trail, which in this section stays fairly high on the ridge north of Whitewater Creek, with few crossings. The trail is strikingly beautiful, highly recommended.

The trails are in good condition, with recent signs of lopping and sawing. Steep slopes required a large number of hand-built rock walls. Are there any trails in New Mexico that have more constructed stonework than Whitewater Trail?

From Whitewater Trail the GxL switches to Deloche Canyon Trail, with the trail hard to find at the intersection, even though trail flagging has been added at a few spots. Once the trail crosses a small old burn area, it really becomes hard to follow.

Later the trail crosses an eroded drainage. It becomes really hard to climb out of the drainage and find the trail again.

Finally, at dusk, I manage to find the trail again, and make camp on a saddle.