Great Gila Loop New Mexico USA Experience a transforming adventure on horseback in one of the largest wilderness areas in the world: The Gila Wilderness. This 6-day pack trip into the heart of the Gila wilderness will have you immersed in beautiful nature. We will take you into the remote and wild countryside. Each day provides a new natural world experience including gentle running creeks, deep inspiring canyons, Indian Cliff Dwellings, and awesome hoodoos. This adventure has you changing camp twice, allowing participants to discover various remote places from the Middle Fork Canyon to higher alpine country, visiting along the way an Indian Cliff Dwelling Site and enjoying panoramic views of the Gila. If you have an explorer’s spirit and you are looking for your next adventure, look no further than the Great Gila Loop Ride! Camping Ride with pack horses Family Vacation Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Glenwood Airport: Albuquerque Transfer: / Riders: Min 2 riders Max 15 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Tax: 8.69 %    

Transfer and Other Charges:

We recommend renting a car from Albuquerque

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 0 (Saturday): Pre-trip night
(Option 1) Drive to Glenwood and check into a local B&B or hotel (not included). Dinner and breakfast is not included.
(Option 2) Drive to Glenwood and go to our ranch (complimentary if room is available). Dinner is not included.

Day 1 (Sunday): Ride to basecamp
We pack our gear into vehicles; have breakfast along the way, driving to the trailhead. Then, we saddle up, pack the mules and ride into camp. We ride along Canyon Creek and enjoy great sceneries. The camp is located in a hidden, spring-fed canyon, the birthplace of Geronimo. Our comfortable camp features wall tents, cots, and everything to make your stay comfortable and warm. Elk and deer are abundant and thriving in the Gila, offering many excellent opportunities to see elk graze right along with our horses in camp, and along our riding journey.
In the evening, we have a delicious Dutch Oven Meal.
Riding approx. 6 miles.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #1

Day 2 (Monday): Middle Fork Ride
Today, we ride the magnificent Middle Fork of the Gila River. There is no better wilderness experience in the world, than a horseback ride along the Middle Fork. Many water crossings with towering and splendid canyon walls await us. Awe-inspiring at every turn, canyon walls tower over us, with splendid hoodoo columns rising up along every stretch. Continuous water flow offers a cool dip along the way.
Riding approx. 12 miles.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #1

Day 3 (Tuesday): Indian Cliff Dwelling Ride
We ride upstream from our base camp to an Indian Cliff Dwelling. These Dwellings are in a canyon few people visit. Make a short climb to the Dwelling site and inspect the many Dwellings left behind some 1000 years ago. After our visit, we ride back to camp.
Riding approx. 8 miles.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #1

Day 4 (Wednesday): Ride to second basecamp
It is time to move to our second camp. To get there, we climb out of the Middle Fork and enjoy stunning views down the canyon. Then, we ride into higher alpine country, crossing meadows and ponderosa forests. At times, we have a viewpoint offering a good look of the Gila.
Riding approx. 14 miles.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #2

Day 5 (Thursday): Lilley Mountain Loop Ride
We make a big loop around Lilley Mountain, stopping at springs and meadows along the way.
After a good climb, we have a panoramic view of the Gila wilderness. This ride is one of the highlights of this trip.
Riding approx. 12 miles.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #2

Day 6 (Friday): Departure
We make our way back to the trailhead by taking a different trail. We make it back to the trailhead around 3 pm and then drive 50miles back to Reserve, NM.
Riding approx. 9 miles.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

                                            Glenwood area 
 

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	57	61	67	74	82	91	91	89	85	75	65	57
Average Low Temperature (°F)	25	28	32	36	43	52	60	59	52	41	30	25
Average High Temperature (°C)	14	16	19	23	28	33	33	32	29	24	18	14
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-4	-2	0	2	6	11	15	15	11	5	-1	-4
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	3	3	3	1	1	2	9	9	5	3	2	4

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Uniquely located to ensure year-round comfortable riding conditions, the Gila Wilderness has the benefit of high-elevation cooling during the summer and southerly warmth during the winter. No matter what time of year - spring, summer, fall or winter - we have the perfect trail for any time of year.

The park has a mild climate, with a rainy season usually from July through August. Temperatures during the day are warm but frost may occur during the night in canyons above 8000 ft. From July to September, thunderstorms are widespread and occur almost daily. Daytime temperatures tend to be relatively mild or warm and nighttime temperatures tend to be relatively cool or cold throughout the year. Average temperatures in the higher elevation, particularly the Mogollon Range, can be cooler, depending on the season.

Spring and Fall have moderate days and cool nights. The most beautiful times of the year in the Gila are spring and late summer. In spring, snowmelt provides enough moisture to initiate new vegetative growth. In late summer, it is warm and the vegetation is still green following the end of summer rainfall season.

Winter months often have nice afternoons with cold mornings and nights. Daytime temperatures can get cold during winter but, in direct sunlight, temperatures may rise to 70 F (21 C). However, temperatures during the night drop significantly. Snow occurs most frequently between December and February. During most winters the lower elevations tend to be free of snow most of the time and when it does snow the melt-off usually occurs within a few days. Normally there is some snow accumulation in the higher elevations and during severe winters, the snow may range up to 10 feet or more in the Mogollon Range. Melt-off usually occurs during late March and April, but snow and ice may hinder travel on upper elevation trails as late as June.

Maximum Duffel Weight Including Sleeping Bag - 35 lbs. Fast access items can be stored in saddle bags. Please pack light!

- Duffel bag - multi-small, soft duffel preferred
- Sleeping bag (best to bring your own but available to borrow- please request at time of booking)
- Sleeping bag liner or blanket
- Ground pad (best to bring your own but available to borrow- please request at time of booking)
- Rain gear or slicker
- Jeans/long sleeve shirt
- Comfortable camp shoes
- Gloves
- Hat with a brim
- Flashlight
- Jacket
- Sweater
- Sunglasses
- Personal medical items
- Personal first aid kit
- Wash kit
- Chapstick, sunblock
- Camera and film
- Solar charger
- AN ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT!

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Accommodations
This is a pack trip, so most nights are spent camping.

Description
The first night is spent at a hotel nearby (not included). The next five night are spent camping in 2 different camps.



Camping
Our luxury base camp has everything set up and ready for you to relax after a day of riding. Our base camp includes tents, cots, and private toilet facilities. Toilet facilities are solid toilet over a pit. Hot solar showers at the end of each day's ride are available in the shower tent.

Some overnights are spent in a "spike camp" (not permanent) and therefore has less comforts.

Please bring your own solar charger should you wish to charge batteries.
It is best to bring your own sleeping mats and sleeping bags, but some are available to borrow at no additional charge- please request at time of booking.

Tent Occupancy
Single riders will have a single tent at no added fee.
Triple occupancy is possible in a large tent.



Meals
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6 are included.

All the creature comforts in the world — a deluxe kitchen with delicious all-you-can-eat Chuck Wagon Style Dutch oven cooking. Plentiful and delicious, our meals are home cooked and will leave you asking for seconds!

Wine is included with dinner, but you are also welcome to bring your own for the trip.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter horses, Mustangs and Appaloosas
Pace:		Slow - 5-6 hours in the saddle per riding day
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate +
Age:		Min 7
Weight:		Max 215 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 15 riders

Riding
These rides require guests to be in good health and in good shape. Participants must have an explorer’s spirit. The rides take place in mountain terrain at around 8000-9000 feet. 

Horses
Gentle, experienced and sure-footed, our riding horses are members of our family. We have horses to match every type of rider, from beginners and children to advanced adventure-seeking riders. We have Quarter horses, Mustangs and Appaloosas.

Passports

Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).

Passport Note

(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.

(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.

(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).



The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.

ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

 

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas

Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:

1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.

Visa Note

(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Types of Visa and Cost

Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.

Validity

Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.

Applications to:

Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).

Working Days Required

Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes
Visa Required?
British	No/2
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	1
Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	No
USA	N/A
Other EU	Yes

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.