Gila Wilderness

The Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area on June 3, 1924. It is located in southwest New Mexico and is part of the Gila National Forest. This vast area covers 558,014 acres, stretching about 27 miles from north to south and 39 miles from east to west.

The Gila Wilderness includes parts of the West Fork, Middle Fork, and East Fork of the Gila River. The landscape varies from riverside elevations around 4,850 feet to tall mountain peaks, such as Whitewater Baldy at 10,895 feet. The Mogollon Mountains and Black Mountain are also within this area.

In U.S. Wilderness Areas like the Gila Wilderness, motorized vehicles and machines are not allowed. Activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing are permitted with the right permits. However, building roads, constructing buildings, logging, or mining are not allowed. This helps protect the natural beauty and peaceful environment of the wilderness.

History

The Mimbres people, a group of the Mogollon, lived in the Gila Wilderness area between the years 1000 and 1130. They left behind cliff dwellings and ruins that show their culture. Later, the Chiricahua band of Apache moved into the area between 1200 and 1600. Because they protected their land fiercely, the area stayed undeveloped until the 1870s.

In 1922, Aldo Leopold, a supervisor for the United States Forest Service, suggested protecting the headwaters of the Gila River by keeping roads and permits out. Because of his work, this area was named the first wilderness area in the National Forest System in 1924. Later, in 1964, Gila became the first area officially protected by Congress under the Wilderness Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Flora and fauna

The Gila Wilderness has many different plants. At high altitudes, you can find spruce-fir and quaking aspen forests. In middle areas, there are ponderosa pine forests, and lower down, you’ll see pinyon-juniper woodlands and desert plants. The area is home to many trees like mesquite, Arizona sycamore, walnut, and maple along rivers and in canyons.

Animals living in the Gila Wilderness include bobcats, cougars, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn. There are also black bears, gray foxes, and the Mexican wolf, which was brought back to the area in 1998. Bighorn sheep were brought back after they nearly disappeared. Birds such as wild turkey, bald eagles, and spotted owls make their home here too. The wilderness also has many fish, like brown trout and the special Gila trout, which lives in certain creeks.

Recreation

The U.S. Forest Service says the Gila Wilderness has a gentle climate with four seasons. Lower areas are easy to visit all year, and summer temperatures are cooler than in nearby deserts. Many trails follow streams and flat areas, but water can be hard to find. Summer can get very hot, and the large size of the area makes it easy for visitors to get lost.

The Gila Wilderness is great for fishing, hunting, backpacking, horseback riding, and camping. There are hundreds of miles of trails starting from many places to enter. A visitor center is near old cliff homes, about two hours north of Silver City, New Mexico. Popular trails include the "Catwalk," a narrow path above a fast stream, and the Crest Trail, which goes through cool forests. There are also many natural hot springs.

Rafting on the Gila River is fun in the spring when the water is high. Visitors must follow rules to protect nature, such as the "Leave No Trace" principles. The Gila Wilderness is close to the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, which offers more hiking and backpacking chances.