WNMU Outdoor ProgramDr. Kathy Whiteman, DirectorHarlan Hall 124whitemank@wnmu.edu

/WNMUOutdoorProgram @GilaQuest

DiscoverOutdoors!

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WNMU’s Main Campus is ideally situated at the base of the 3.3 million acre Gila (Hee-la)

National Forest, providing easy access to the world’s first Wilderness Area, and Nation’s

third largest National Forest. There are many great things to see and do here and these

pages highlight some of our regional favor-ites.

To protect these natural resources, please follow posted rules and regulations. Tread

lightly and keep motorized vehicles on established trails. While you’re exploring, use good judgment: pack out all of your trash; build fires only in designated areas

and be extremely careful with open flame; be sure camp fires are out cold. Remember

to bring water on all of your excursions, and to drink plenty of it.

Most of all, take some time to get to know the outdoors - you won’t be disappointed!

Gila National Forest and Gila Wildernesshttp://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/

General Information: 1.575.388.82013005 E. Camino del Bosque • Silver City, NM 88061

Take time to explore the Nation’s third largest National Forest and �rst Wilderness Area; hundreds of miles of fantas-tic trails. Call or visit the Visitor Center for more information, maps, and restrictions.

Getting there: Silver City is surrounded by the Gila! Get on HWY 180 and travel east or west; take HWY 15 and head north, or take HWY 90 and go south. You’ll be in the Gila in no time!

*WNMU cannot endorse any of these service providers. Have fun at your own risk.

BACKPACKING SKIING

Mt. Lemmon Ski Valleyhttp://www.skithelemmon.com10300 Ski Run Rd. Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619General Information: 1. 520. 576. 1321Email: Skivalley@skithelemmon.com

Getting there: Take HWY 90 south to Lordsburg. Merge west onto Interstate 10 toward Tucson for 137 Miles. Exit 275 onto Houghton Road, head north 15 miles. Turn right (east) onto Catalina HWY, 2 miles to (east) Mt. Lemmon HWY 22 miles, to (north) General Hitchcock, follow signs. Total distance from Silver City: 225 miles; 4.5 hour drive time.Rates: Full day lift ticket $37.00; equipment rental extra.

Sunrise Park Resorthttp://sunriseskiparkaz.com/12 Miles West of Greer • Greer, AZ 85927General Information: 928.735.7669Email: sunrise@sunriseskipark.com

Getting there: Take HWY 180 (north) to HWY 260 (Eagar, Arizona). Take HWY 260 (west) 18 miles to HWY 273. Turn left on HWY 273. Sunrise Park Lodge is four miles south on HWY 273 and Sunrise Ski Area is another three miles past the lodge. Total distance from Silver City: 168 miles; 4 hour drive time.Rates: Full day lift ticket $51.00; equipment rental extra.

*Bring your own gear. Climb and boulder at your own risk.

City of Rocks State Parkhttp://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/prd/cityrocks.htmP.O. Box 50 • Faywood, NM 88034Phone: 1.575.536.2800 Email: gabriel.medrano@state.nm.us

Activities: Camping, day-use, bouldering, stargazing parties and more.

Getting there: From Silver City, take US 180 south approxi-mately 28 miles to NM 61. Turn left on NM 61 toward Faywood; 4 miles to the park entrance road.

Rates: $5/car/day-use; $8 primitive camp site

BOULDERINGROCK CLIMBING & RAPPELLING

The Wilderness Lodge...from the Access Road, turn left on Jackass Lane. The Wilderness Lodge is the only house on the left. Clothing required. Rates: http://www.gilahot.com/

Gila Hot Springs, public pools.. from the Access Road, go straight ahead. You can’t miss the fun self-pay kiosk and relaxed atmosphere.Undeveloped pools; clothing optional; camping available.Rate: $5/person/night

HOT SPRINGS

BOULDERING/ROCK CLIMBING/ RAPPELLINGHueco Tankshttp://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hueco_tanks/6900 Hueco Tanks Road No 1 • El Paso, TX 79938General and reservations: 915.857.1135

Activities: Climbing is restricted in order to protect archaeological areas, but Hueco Tanks is considered by some to represent the best bouldering site in America. Approximately 50 established routes, including jug-hauls, technical vertical faces, cracks, long chimneys, and plenty of exposure. Most routes have bolts. You need to be profi-cient at finding and placing gear for runout sections. Call for reservations. Best times to visit: October- April.

Getting there: Located 30 miles east of El Paso and about 5 hours from Silver City off I-10. Camping is available.

Chiricahua National Parkhttp://www.nps.gov/chir/index.htmnear Wilcox, AZUnusual geological formations and spectacular views into Mexico

Activities include: Hiking, camping, horseback riding, site seeing; interpretive tours; history.

Getting there: From Silver City, head south on HWY 90 about 42 miles, merge onto US 70/Duncan HWY, then exit onto Interstate 10, toward Tucson. Drive approximately 65 miles, exit 344 to Wilcox. Turn left on AZ State HWY 186 for 32 miles to the junction of Arizona State HWY 181. Turn left. Chiricahua Monument entrance station is 4 miles.Rates: $5.00/person

Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument http://www.nps.gov/gicl/index.htmnear Silver City, NMMogollon Culture archaeological ruins, interpretive center and top-notch bookstore.

Activities: View Mogollon cliff dwellings, hiking, birding, camping, photography, interpretive tours.

Getting there: Located approximately 2 hours north of Silver City on Highway 15. Open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily. Rates: $10/family/day or $3/person

NATIONAL PARKS

CAR CAMPING IN THE GILA

In general, there will be no drinking water or wood available in these areas. Bring your own water and wood (you can also use

charcoal or propane). Fire restrictions may apply.Call the Supervisor’s O�ce at 575.388.8201 for more information.

Cherry Creek CampgroundOpen all year; no fee; picnic tables and grills; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER

Getting there: Located 14 miles north of Silver City on the east side of HWY 15

Forks CampgroundOpen all year; no fee; vault toilet: NO POTABLE WATER

The Forks Campground provides primitive camping oppor-tunities along the West Fork of the Gila River.

Getting there: located approximately five miles south of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just off NM State Highway 15 and just north of the Gila River Bridge.

NATIONAL PARKS

Petroglyph National Monumenthttp://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htmAlbuquerque, NM

One of the largest petroglyph sites in North America.

Getting there: From Interstate 25, take the Paseo del Norte exit (232) and proceed west to Coors Road, exit south. Proceed south on Coors Road to Western Trail. Turn right (west) onto Western Trail and follow road to the visitor center.

Rates: No entry fee, but $1 parking/car fee applies at Boca Negra Canyon during the week ($2/weekend)

White Sands National Monumenthttp://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htmU.S. Highway 70, Alamogordo, NM

White Sands is the world's largest gypsum dune field. Exceptional!

Activities: Hiking, interpretive tours, sledding, full moon events, camping, picnicking, and more. See website for more information; certain restrictions may apply.

Getting there: Park is located 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruces, NM on HWY 70.Rates: $3/person

NATIONAL PARKS

*New Mexico is home to 13 National Parks. Please visit the National Park Service home page for more information. At

most parks, children under 15 enter free.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htmnear Cuba, NMOutstanding archaeological ruins! Bring your camera!

Getting there: Chaco Canyon is located 8 to 10 hours north of Silver City in northwestern NM. The recom-mended access route to the park is from the north, via US 550 (formerly NM 44) and County Road (CR) 7900, and CR 7950. The access roads are rough and infrequently main-tained. Roads can become impassable during inclement (monsoon) weather.

Open from sunset to sundown daily.Rates: $8/vehicle for 7 days; $4/person for 7 days.

Grapevine CampgroundOpen all year; no fee; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER

This campground is located on the banks of the East Fork of the Gila River; close to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the town of Gila Hot Springs.

Getting there: Located 40 miles north of Silver City on the north side of HWY 15

McMillan CampgroundOpen all year; no fee; picnic tables and grills; vault toilet; NO POTABLE WATER

Getting there: Located 15 miles north of Silver City on the east side of HWY 15

Scorpion CampgroundsOpen all year; no fee; vault toilet; picnic tables and grills; drinking water is available at Visitor Center about ½ mile away

Getting there: Located more than 40 miles north of Silver City, on HWY 15. Allow at least 2 hours drive time from Silver City to reach Scorpion Campgrounds. These are the campgrounds closest to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.

CAR CAMPING IN THE GILA

Chetro Ketl great kiva

*many geothermal pools are located throughout the area. The sites listed are easy-access, but there are many others that can be reached by hiking. Clothing is required at all

public pools. Bring plenty of drinking water and don’t forget a towel.

Sundial Hot Springshttp://www.sundialsprings.com/Owner: Shelley DonovanP.O. Box 157 • Glenwood, NM 88039General Information: 1. 575. 539.2712Email: sundialsprings@gilanet.com

Getting there: 60 miles north of Silver City on HWY 180, between mile markers 55 and 56.Sundial Springs is one mile off HWY 180 on Forest Road (FR) 519. Reservations are mandatory.

Rates: Variable, see website. Pools are developed; cloth-ing optional in private pools. RV and tent camping available.

CAVING

Carlsbad Caverns National Parkhttp://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm

Visitor Center: 727 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, NM 88220Toll Free: 1.877.444.6777

Getting there: Located 5 to 6 hours east of Silver City. Visit website for driving directions.

Rates: Guided tours: $8- $20/adult; Self guided: $6/adult; children. 15 and under free.

Kartchner Caverns State Parkhttp://azstateparks.com/parks/kaca/P.O. Box 1849 • Benson, AZ 85602Park: 1.520. 586.2283Information Line: 1.520.586. 4100Rates: Tickets $35.90 each

HOT SPRINGS

HOT SPRINGS

Faywood Hot Springshttp://www.faywood.com/

Getting there: From Silver City, take US 180 south approximately 28 miles to NM 61. Turn left on NM 61 toward Faywood. Turn left at the entrance. Camping and lodging available.

Open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.Rates: $12/person/day public pool; see website for private pool rates. Clothing required in public pools.

Frisco SpringsGetting there: Located about 55 miles north of Silver City off HWY 180. Turn left at sign onto Forest Road to park. Follow Trail 762 downhill; moderate hike of about one hour. Sand bottom pools are on the right side of the San Francisco River. Clothing optional.

DAY USE AREAS

Reflects the 1800s mining era. Unique site. Wheelchair accessible; picnic tables and grills; vault toilet; drinking water

Boston HillThis area reflects Silver City’s hard rock mining era and has been transformed to an open-space trail system.

Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, sightseeing.

Getting there: From Silver City, trailheads are available on Cooper, Cheyenne, Spring and Market Streets. The trails range from easy to moderately rugged. Many of the trails intersect, offering a range of paths through the area. Maps are posted at all trailheads. Bring drinking water.

The Catwalk

Activities: Hiking; site seeing; photography; swimming.

Getting there: From Silver City, head west on HWY 180 until you reach Glenwood. About 1000 yards north of the Blue Front Bar, turn right on State Rd. 174 for 5 miles. Total driving distance is 66 miles.Rates: $3.00/car

City of Rocks (see details under Bouldering)

Gomez Peak and Little Walnut Picnic Areahttp://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gila/recarea/?recid=9920

Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset. Trails and group picnic areas; vault toilet; drinking water.

For group reservations, please contact the Silver City Ranger District at 1.575.388.8201.

Getting there: From HWY 180 in Silver City, turn onto Little Walnut Road (across from the Skate Park) and head north 6 miles. Picnic area is well marked and will be on your left. No overnight camping.

Lake Roberts Picnic AreaWilderness Ranger District • Mimbres, NMPhone: 1.575.536.2250

Camping at Mesa Campground (fee); picnic tables/grill; vault toilet; drinking water.

Activities: picnicking, fishing, birding, hiking and boating (boat ramp available).

Getting there: From Silver City, head north on HWY 15 to the intersection of HWY 35. Turn right off NM Hwy 35. Allow about 1.5 hr. drive time.

HOT SPRINGS

Gila Hot Springs3 different places to soak

Getting there: From Silver City, take HWY 15 north to Gila Hot Springs. Turn right on Access Road (1/4 mile south of Doc Campbell's Post).

From this point, if you want to go to:

Wildwood Hot Springs…from the Access Road, turn right on Jackass LaneGeneral Information: 1. 575. 536.3600 http://www.wildwoodhotspringsretreat.com/

Pools are developed; clothing required; camping and cabins available. Rates: $7/soak; $10/camp and soak/day

DAY USE AREAS

DAY USE AREASGila Wilderness Ventureshttp://www.gilawildernessventures.comOwner: Leah JonesHC 61, Box 296 • Glenwood, NM 88039Located between Glenwood and Alma, 70 miles west of Silver City

Toll Free: 1.866.677.2008 • 1.575.539.2800Email: Leah@gilawildernessventures.comRates: Full day: $95/person (includes lunch)Half day: $65/person (includes snack)Two-hour: $45/person

Wolf Horse Outfittershttp://www.wolfhorseoutfitters.com/index.phpOwner: Joe SaenzP.O. Box 837 • Santa Clara, NM 88026

General: 1.575.534.1379 Rates: Variable; see web site

HORSEBACK RIDING

San Vicente Creek TrailActivities: Day hikes, mountain biking, bird watching. Creek-side trail is easy; great for families with young chil-dren. Limited shade after leaving the creek-bottom. Not suitable for strollers, no drinking water or toilets. Map is posted at the trailhead kiosk.

Getting there: From downtown Silver City, head south on Bullard, past Jalisco’s restaurant. Turn left on Mill Street and park under the HWY 90 bridge. Part of the Silver City Open Space Trail System.

Bill Evans LakeActivities: 62 acre man-made lake stocked with rainbow trout and small mouth bass; camping, birding, hiking, and boating/boat ramp.

Getting there: From Silver City, head west on HWY 180 approximately 28 miles, turn left on Forest Road (FR) 809 and follow the signs.

Lake Roberts Picnic Area(see details under Day Use)

FISHING

HORSEBACK RIDING

*Call ahead for reservations, other services, and rate changes.

Double E Guest Ranchhttp://www.doubleeranch.com/index.html67 Double E Ranch Road • Gila, NM 88038

Located about 45 minutes west of Silver City in Gila.

Getting there: From Silver City, take HWY 180 west about 25 miles. Turn right on NM 211 for 4 miles. About ¼ mile north of the Gila Post Office, turn right (east) on Hooker Loop Road. Follow the signs.

General Information: 1.866.242.2048Rates: $25 hour/person; 2 hour minimum

Gila Hot Springs Ranchhttp://www.gilahotspringsranch.com/

Located north of Silver City in Gila Hot SpringsPhone: 1.575.536.9314 (evenings), or 1.575. 536.9551 (day)

Email: gilahotspringsranch@gilanet.com (Owner: Becky Campbell)Rates: Full day: $60/person; Half day: $40/ person. A guide is required and is furnished for $60

Snow Lake and Willow CreekPicnic tables/grills; vault toilet; drinking water

Activities: Relief from summer heat. Snow Lake is stocked with rainbow trout; boating (boat ramp available); hiking, camping, horseback riding and more. NM Game and Fish stocks Willow Creek with trout two to three times a year.

Getting there: From Silver City, head west/northwest on HWY 180 approximately 100 miles to Reserve. From Reserve, take NM 435 south 5.3 miles to where it becomes FR 141. Con-tinue straight on FR 141 for 34.9 miles to FR 28 (Snow Lake sign). Turn right onto FR 28 and go 9.6 miles to "Y" intersection and FR 142 (Snow Lake sign). Bear left at intersection onto FR 142 and go 8.8 miles to Snow Lake Campground sign. For Willow Creek, bear right at the intersection and head down slope to Willow Creek (follow the sign).

NOTE: High clearance vehicle recommended. FR 141 becomes gravel after 19 miles with the road surface remaining gravel all the way to Snow Lake and Willow Creek. This road can be rough, espe-cially during the monsoon season (July - September).

FISHING