Great Gila Loop

Introduction
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!

Accomodation

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.

Riding


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.

Itinerary


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

Rates and Dates for Great Gila Loop

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Glenwood
Airport: Albuquerque
Transfer: /

Climate:
                                            Glenwood area