G.E.T. Guidebook

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Segment 11: Gila Valley South  12.8 miles

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Segment Length			Segment Status	Season
12.8 mi.			finalized & accessible	fall, winter, spring
Resources
OVERVIEW MAP ELEVATION PROFILE G.E.T. Topo Maps 32-34 Town Guide: Safford Water Chart Image Gallery: Album 3				Additional maps: Safford 1:100K Topographic (BLM) Land management agency: BLM Safford Field Office Coronado National Forest Safford Ranger District

SEGMENT OVERVIEW

Our route descends the eastern foothills of the Pinaleño Mountains to join the broad Gila Valley on the outskirts of Safford. Last encountered in Segment 3, the Gila River here is truly a ribbon of life in this otherwise arid valley of greasewood and mesquite. Aided by a mild, Sonoran-Chihuahuan desert climate, the Gila's reliable flow permits the growing of cotton, the staple commodity of Safford's agricultural economy. You'll pass acres of the fluffy white stuff toward the end of this segment as well as in Segment 12; much of it is grown well away from the river thanks to an elaborate network of aqueducts. (The main GET route doesn't actually cross the Gila until the next segment.)

Hikers begin alongside the riparian canyon of lower Ash Creek (via FR 307, the vehicle approach to the trailhead), then strike off on an adventurous cross-country shortcut toward Mud Springs Knoll, an intriguing landmark where the foothills of Mount Graham meet the open desert. Dry plains and low mesas, dotted with creosote bush and uninhabited, now serve us our companions for several miles of dirt road walking toward the rural outskirts of Thatcher and Safford, Joining 8th Street, our route then heads right on through the bustle of town, a natural stopover for hikers, with numerous services located nearby along US 70, about a quarter mile away. Don't be surprised if you're greeted with the occasional smile and wave from passing motorists; Safford's townfolk are accustomed to seeing self-propelled travelers about, thanks to the Southern Tier bicycle route that comes through town.

Water is available only near the start and end of this segment, at Ash Creek as well as (small, fragile) Mud Spring, and in Thatcher / Safford, respectively. Quiet camping opportunities present themselves here and there in the first half of this terrain, particularly around Mud Springs Knoll.

As a noteworthy aside, a bit north of the GET near the start of this segment lies Cluff Ranch wildlife area. Those approaching this segment by vehicle (as well as mountain bikers and equestrians disinterested in this segment's brief cross-country travel and game for improvising a longer way into Safford) pass by Cluff Ranch along Ash Creek Road, a couple of miles north of the GET route. Administered by the Arizona Department of Game & Fish, the wildlife area supports a variety of upland bird and small game species, as well as a healthy population of white-tailed deer. Scattered small ponds in the area, fed by Ash Creek, attract migratory waterfowl. Fishing is permitted here, as is seasonal hunting, while the surrounding groves of cottonwoods and willows are inviting to all. Developed water is available, as is a short network of trails that wind through the property.

ROUTE DETAILS

From the metal trail sign at the northern terminus of Ash Creek Trail (waypoint 10370, elev. 4672'), travel northeast on Ash Creek Road (FR 307). The narrow, rocky 4WD track parallels lower Ash Creek in its riparian corridor, crossing a cattle guard at 0.8 of a mile, near where it fords the creek itself. An old metal pipeline, used to bring water from the perennially-flowing reaches of Ash Creek to reservoirs in the valley below, follows the road as well. The massive, rumpled folds of the Pinaleños slowly recede to the south and west as the road comes to a metal gate at 1.6. Note the low hillside immediately east; actually this is the edge of a broad mesa that slopes gradually away toward the northeast (toward Safford). The suggested route of the GET leaves the road at around 1.8 (waypoint 11030) to follow the mesa top - just before the road jogs left, leave it, picking a line through the scattered mesquite to surmount the 50 foot rise. (If you reach a forest service sign along Ash Creek Road, or come to another cattle guard, then you passed the x-c turnoff. Also note a portion of the old metal pipeline sometimes drips audibly into a little pool at roadside, right near the suggested point of departure.)

From the scenic top of the mesa near 1.8, the goal is to reach Mud Springs Knoll environs a little over a mile away, where a 4WD road picks up. The lone knoll itself is visible off to the northeast, a prominent conical hill beyond the mesa. The most efficient route seems to be to keep as close as possible to the western edge of the mesa (keeping the drop just off to eastbounder's left); doing so minimizes exposure to low mesquite and other brush, while also providing a handrail that will set you up for the final drop off the mesa toward the 4WD. (Straying too far inward from the mesa's edge risks marooning you as the mesa becomes dissected by several steep drainages en route.) The x-c route is actually very straightforward when executed as described. And the views of Ash Creek Canyon and the majestic panorama of Mount Graham, to say nothing of the pioneering sense of isolation, add considerably to the experience. The sinuous edge of the mesa bends more easterly approaching waypoint 11040, where a narrow drainage cuts in the mesa, dropping north. This is our ticket off the mesa - either head directly down the rocky drainage or work your way around to the other side and head down the adjacent slope. About 3/4 of the way down you may note a game path heading east, and can take this over to waypoint 11050 at a 4WD turnout (MP 3.1). Mud Spring is located here, a small seep and pool at the base of the slope. Surprisingly this fragile desert source appears to be somewhat reliable (but don't count on it being deep enough to collect from).

(Westbounders, to reach the top of the mesa from Mud Spring head west beyond the road onto a game path. Follow the path along the base of the slope until it essentially peters out then head x-c up the drainage ahead on your left, or up the slope just before it. Once atop the mesa, follow the north / western edge of the mesa as a handrail, trending southwest for a bit over a mile. When Ash Creek Road comes into view just below you, descend the final 50 feet off the mesa to join it, such as at waypoint 11030.)

From Mud Spring at 3.1 join the 4WD road as it heads downhill, then ignore a left fork and continue east on the 4WD (westbounders take the left fork, heading uphill). Keep straight at a t-junction with another road just west of an old corral. The corral could make for a possible camp, or for more seclusion find a way over to mapped Mud Springs Tank, which is usually dry and offers a few shade trees around its perimeter. The GET keeps south of the corral on the eastbound 4WD, which crosses a wash then climbs northeast. Here the 4WD is eroded and forks somewhat confusingly. Keep northeast. The road improves as it levels off just south of Mud Springs Knoll. (Westbounders take the left fork as the corral area becomes visible off to the west, and head down to it.) The 4WD now trends east among creosote bushes and other hardy desert scrub, offering pleasant and generally quiet walking. It crosses several washes, then climbs out to a 4WD junction at waypoint 11060. Turn left here, northeast, to stay on the main track. Pass through a wire gate at around 5.0. The 4WD then terminates at an unsigned junction with graded dirt Frye Mesa Road (FR 103) at 5.3 (waypoint 11080). (Westbounders be on the lookout for the 4WD junction on your right; although unsigned it's the only such junction in the general vicinity; the waypoints as well as a gate along the 4WD at 5.0 offer confirmation.)

Turning left (northeast) onto Frye Mesa Road, our route now continues uneventfully through open terrain across state land for several miles. At length the road bends due east, passes a state lands information board, and then terminates at paved Reay Lane on the outskirts of Thatcher at 8.5 (waypoint 11090). (Helpful tip: If you need to visit the bushes, consider doing so before reaching this junction, as the rest of the route into Safford is developed. Alternatively you could head north from around 8.8 via a cemetery and Stadium Ave a short distance to a public park with water and toilets, or else (if need be) continue the better part of a mile to Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher for water and restrooms, then follow the railroad grade southeast to rejoin the main route at 10.2 - see the topo mapset for details.)

From 8.5 the easiest way forward is to cross over Reay Lane to join a gravel road - apparently a public right-of-way - that runs by a pair of modular storage buildings. The gravel road soon ends at a junction with 8th Street, opposite a town cemetery. Turn right to follow 8th St east. The GET remains on this road all the way through Safford to the end of this segment. Initially rural-residential in character, 8th Street crosses 1st Avenue at 9.7, then parallels the Arizona Eastern railroad grade beyond 10.2, where cotton fields dominate the foreground for a spell, lending a bucolic air. The railroad corridor now affords a vehicle-free swath at roadside for much of the way through town (the tracks do carry an occasional train, so be sure to stay off to one side).

Agriculture soon gives way to Safford's business district at 20th Ave (10.7). You can turn left (north) here to reach US 70 where a majority of the town's services are located. And you can easily rejoin the GET farther ahead on your way out of town. Otherwise, continue along the railroad grade swath. Cross 14th Ave at 11.2; the US Forest Service and BLM district offices are housed in a single complex on the northeast corner here; you might consider putting in a good word on your way by. (Westbounders can also pick up their BLM Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness permits here.) Pass a convenience store with Subway sandwich shop at the intersection of 8th St with 8th Ave (11.7), and continue straight on 8th St. On the opposite side of the road is the Safford public library, with internet access, public restrooms, and a water fountain located inside. After 3 more intersections reach 5th Ave, with the Safford post office located about a quarter mile north at the junction with US 70. 8th Street next leads past an IGA supermarket, then crosses US 191 (signed First Ave) at 12.2 - be careful crossing traffic here. The segment ends a half mile ahead at the junction of 8th Street and US 70 (12.8, waypoint 11130, elev. 2920'), where the railroad grade bends away to the southeast. (Westbounders, join 8th St heading west and follow the adjacent railroad grade/swath, away from traffic.)

Segment 10

Segment 12