Our Travels of the Mercury have taken us to Alaska, National Parks and Monuments in the lower 48, and many other places across the country. So what about our home? The country where we live is wild, beautiful, and worthy of exploration. The following posts will be about some of our weekly hikes in the Gila National Forest around Silver City, NM.
Silver City, a once-upon-a-time frontier town, has about 10,000 residents and sits at 6,000 ft. on the slopes of the Continental Divide in southwestern New Mexico. It's a Gateway Community for the CDT. The foothills of the Gila National Forest embrace the town to the north while the lower apron of grasslands gradually descend into the southern deserts. There's a topsy-turvy blend of ancient, uplifted sea bed and volcanic geology. Elevation and latitude mix pine forests with arid vegetation and cactus.
We have a social group of about 6 to 10 hikers that meet every Thursday for a weekly hike which averages about 8 miles. Sometimes we go on trails and sometimes cross country to explore new places. Everyone is welcome.
Different hikes will be featured in future posts which will show you the diversity of our area.
This first hike is on the Continental Divide Trail which climbs up to Signal Peak in the Pinos Altos Range north of Silver City. There are several trail heads that are only about a 15 to 20 minute drive from town.
 |
| Some of our hiking group on the CDT going to Signal Peak. |
 |
| Sometimes the trail is rocky. Indian Paintbrush blooms along the way. |
 |
| Twin Sisters Peaks from the CDT. The trail climbs half way up the peaks then contours around on the left. |
 |
| Hiking the CDT at Signal Peak. |
 |
| The CDT climbs into the Ponderosa Pine forest on the ascent to Signal Peak. |
 |
| Looking back toward Silver City from the slopes of Signal Peak. |
 |
| Silver City in the distance at the edge of the forest. |
 |
| The trail continues to climb up the mountain. |
 |
| Me on the CDT at Signal Peak. |
 |
| The CDT going to Signal Peak. |
 |
| Showy Daisies on Signal Peak. |
My favorite times for hiking the CDT to Signal Peak are summer and fall. Our best wildflower season is in late summer and early fall after the summer rains have begun.
 |
| Bouquets of yellow composites are abundant. . |
 |
| More beautiful daisies. |
Our hike was about 9 miles with about 1,500 ft. elevation gain from 7,000 to 8,500 ft.
Keep hiking.
Jackie
I look forward to more of these posts!
ReplyDeleteGot Jordan Hot Springs on your list? I've been eyeing that one. I hear that the up-and-over route is drier but not as nice as the one that sticks to the Middle Fork Gila river all the way.