Contact Info
HC 68 Box 50
Mimbres, NM 88049
- Phone:
- 575-536-2250
Basics
- Length:
- 28 miles
- Difficulty:
- Difficult
- Time:
- Multi-Day
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 4800 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 4800 feet to 8520 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 3720 feet
- Usage:
- Moderate
- Season:
- Year Round
Description
Trail 155 can best be described broken into two segments. The first segment is 17 miles long beginning from the trail head at the mouth of Turkey Creek to the saddle between Turkey and Little Creek. Except for a three mile section that follows a ridge from Skeleton Canyon to Sycamore Canyon, the trail stays in the canyon bottom. The vegetation is lush and the creek forms many pools and small waterfalls. This segment is difficult for pack animals.
The second segment of the trail, about 11 miles, is from the saddle at the upper end of Turkey Creek to the West Fork of the Gila River. This segment crosses over the Diablo Range and into McKenna Park. The Park is a gentle sloping terrain of old-growth Ponderosa Pine. On the topos this segment of #155 is called the Little Creek Trail.
This trail has a great diversity of scenic beauty and ecosystems including rugged desert mountain, riparian habitat, and alpine forests.
Details
Length:
Difficulty:
Time:
Trailhead Elevation:
Elevation Range:
Elevation Change:
Usage:
Season:
Useful Map(s):
Additional Details:
The trail up the Gila River to the Turkey Creek trail head #155 begins at the end of Forest Road 155. There are no facilities and parking is limited to a few pull-offs along the road. Because this is a very environmentally sensitive area, it is strongly advised not to cross the river in a vehicle. It is very easy for a vehicle to become stranded in the river.
From the end of the Forest Road 155 follow the trail up the Gila River about 1.3 miles to Trail 155 at the mouth of Turkey Creek. There are three river crossings but crossing isn''t advised if the river is at flood stage.
Silver City is 42.5 miles from the trail head and provides auto services, gas, groceries, lodging, medical facilities, restaurants, and shopping.
There is water in the length of Turkey Creek. Water is also available in the upper portion of Little Creek. The springs in McKenna Park are seasonal but water can usually be found at the spring in Johnson Canyon on the west side of McKenna Park. Water quality is not tested therefore it cannot be guaranteed to be drinkable, it is advisable to filter or treat all drinking water.
Turkey Creek provides excellent riparian habitat for song birds and Zone-tailed Hawks that nest in the cliffs. Bears are also present. There are magnificent Sycamore trees and stands of Maple. Colorful rhyolite cliffs create an imposing background in this scenic canyon. The canyon is narrow but there are many opportunities for good camping along it''s length.
Trails 155, 161, and 160, or Trails 155, 159 and 160 can be use as a through hike between the Turkey Creek trail head and the Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
From Silver City go west on U.S. 180 about 25 miles and turn right on NM 211. Go miles to the community of Gila and then right on NM 153. In about 5 miles NM 153 ends and becomes Forest Road 155. It is 8.5 miles of rough dirt road from this point to the end of the road and the trail head at the Gila River. The travel time from Silver City is about 1.5 hours.
