G.E.T. Guidebook

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Segment 11: Gila Valley South  22.5 miles

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Segment Length	from PHX	to ABQ	Segment Status	Season
22.5 mi.	205		unfinalized but accessible	fall, winter, spring
Resources
OVERVIEW MAP ELEVATION PROFILE 4 G.E.T. Topo Maps 32-35 4 Town Guide: Safford 4 Water Chart 4 Image Gallery: Album 3				Additional maps: Safford 1:100K Topographic (BLM) visit PLIC website Land management agency: BLM Safford Field Office (928) 348-4400 Coronado National Forest Safford Ranger District (928) 428-4150

SEGMENT OVERVIEW

In this segment our route descends the eastern foothills of the Pinaleno 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 rural economy. You'll pass acres of the fluffy white stuff in this segment, much of which 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 Segment 12.)

As might be expected, much of the suggested GET through this part of the Gila Valley is located on high-standard roads, the only means of passage among private land here. However, recent changes to the route's layout now keep it away from the downtown Safford area with its attendant traffic, and instead allow hikers to follow relatively quiet, gravel-shouldered roads, a railroad grade - even a community bike path - on the outskirts of town. In fact, the GET in this segment passes through a total of three communities - from west to east, the towns of Thatcher, Safford, and Solomon. These towns adjoin one another and present indistinct boundaries; of the three, only Solomon is encountered directly, as our route heads through the small center of this historic village at the end of the segment. For those who'd prefer to forego the more ample amenities of Safford, Solomon offers a post office, convenience store, and a restaurant. Otherwise, a "Gila River low water alternate route" permits easy access to the many services along US 70 in Safford. This alternate route can be used either as a way into and out of downtown Safford off the main GET route, or as a distinct thru-route into Segment 12; eastbound from Safford, it follows the Gila River's floodplain for 5 miles, a peaceful walk when the river is running sufficiently low to allow safe travel.

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 Pinalenos slowly recede to the south and west as the road comes to a metal gate at 1.6, then another cattle guard at 2.0, where it leaves the Coronado National Forest. One more ford of the rocky creekbed leads to an unmarked road junction at 2.8 (waypoint 11040), where our route continues north on Ash Creek Rd, following the pipeline. (Westbounders, take the right fork.)

Ahead, the main road reaches the small residential community of Cluff Ranch, with a few scattered homes at roadside. Here the road changes names to Berry Patch Rd, soon reaching a three-way junction at 3.6. Turn right here (east), joining wide 2WD dirt Cluff Ranch Rd. (Westbounders, turn left at the 3-way onto signed Berry Patch Rd.) The road skirts the eastern perimeter of Cluff Ranch wildlife area, reaching a junction with the main entrance road at 4.7. 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, are managed as a productive warm water fishery. Fishing is allowed here, as is seasonal hunting, while the surrounding groves of cottonwoods and willows are inviting to all. Developed water may be available at the information center.

Continuing north on Cluff Ranch Rd (westbounders, take the left fork at the junction at 4.7), pass a side road to a developed camping area on the right, then at 5.2 (waypoint 11070) reach a fork. Cluff Ranch Rd now heads northeast, while our route continues almost due east via a comparable 2WD dirt road. Ignore various lesser tracks as the main road bends northeast, attaining a small rise. Continue straight at 6.2, now on Layton Road, which also heads west. (Westbounders, take the left fork.) For its graded caliber, Layton Rd affords a fairly quiet walk, surrounded by low desert scrub and distant views of the Gila Valley and Mount Graham. A dry camp could be made almost anywhere away from the road here. At 8.9 signed Central Cemetery Rd goes north, while the GET heads east, still on 2WD dirt Layton Rd and now with cultivated farmland at roadside. East of 10.0 and Webster Lane, Layton becomes Palmer Lane, then reaches a crossing of the Arizona Eastern railroad grade at 10.7 (waypoint 11100, elev. 2900'), just west of US 70.

Active but with only sporadic freight train traffic, the railroad grade is the suggested route of the GET to 12.3. The wide dirt corridor alongside the tracks, surrounded by cotton fields and occasional out-buildings, should make for acceptable, efficient passage here through the outskirts of Thatcher. Heading southeast, the tracks cross Reay Lane, then Stadium Ave at 11.4. "Downtown" Thatcher is a half mile north along US 70, while just east adjacent the railroad grade lies the small Eastern Arizona College Thatcher campus, with salient amenities for hikers including drinking water, bathrooms, and possibly public internet access. Campus map (PDF)

Leave the railroad grade at 12.3, turning right (south) onto paved 1st Ave. At the 4-way intersection with 8th St at 12.6 the main GET route continues straight on 1st Ave, or turn left (east) onto 8th to reach Safford's services area in a mile. This detour is also part of the Gila River low water alternate route, shown on the current version of the GET topo map set.

1st Ave proceeds fairly unobtrusively through a residential-zoned area, with generally light traffic. The road's shoulder widens en route and becomes dirt. At 13.9 1st Ave ends at Golf Course Rd. On the opposite side of the intersection an unlocked gate is marked "Frye Mesa Ranch," undeveloped, with public access allowed. Follow the little-used dirt road around to the south. Reach an east-west powerline utility road at a fenceline corner at 14.2 (waypoint 11125). Take this track due east through the creosote brush, with potential stealth camping opportunities available. Approaching north-south 20th Ave at 15.1 (waypoint 11130) find a way to the north side of the east-west fenceline and on up to the road. Cross 20th Ave here to join 26th St eastbound. (Westbounders cross 20th Ave directly and seek out the powerline track south of its east-west fenceline; the track may initially be vague.)

A paved "bike path" - actually part of Safford's network of multi-use recreation paths, an ongoing project - parallels 26th St eastbound. Within a quarter mile, remain on the path as it leaves the road at right and jogs through an interesting stretch of open desert. The path emerges onto 14th Ave, which it follows south, passing public restrooms (but no drinking water) at Glen Meadows Park. Reach Discovery Park Blvd at 16.1.

Half a mile west from the intersection is Discovery Park, Safford's newest attraction. Operated collaboratively by the Mount Graham International Observatory and Eastern Arizona College, the facility offers interactive exhibits on science and astronomy, including a 20-inch telescope available for public use. Weekend driving tours to the observatory atop Mt Graham begin here (advanced reservations required). You can also take a self-guided walking tour of the park grounds, which includes a developed wetland with bird blinds for viewing waterfowl. Drinking water and restrooms are available at Discovery Park during public visiting hours (M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 4pm-10pm).

The GET turns east at 16.1 along the south side of Discovery Park Blvd, again via paved community path. At 16.5, the path crosses to the north side of Discovery Park Blvd, while 8th Ave heads north 2.2 miles to downtown Safford at US 70, with another community path initially available. At 17.1, cross US 191 (also known as 1st Ave) at a traffic light. Discovery Park Blvd now becomes Solomon Road. Follow this paved 2-lane road eastbound. Acre upon acre of cotton fields (fallow in spring) soon line the gravel-shouldered road, while traffic is fairly light, allowing for a mellow walk. Wide open views across the valley take in the Pinalenos, Santa Teresas, Gila Mountains, and to the east, the distant Peloncillo Mountains.

Soon after crossing the Arizona Eastern railroad line again at 20.7 reach a riparian area by the San Simon River (usually dry), an opportune spot to "visit the bushes" in this otherwise wide-open agricultural landscape. Finally, turn left at 21.5 at the road bend onto Bowie Ave and continue one more mile to US 70 at Solomon (22.5, el. 2970'). C.D.'s Quick Stop convenience store is on the right, one block south of the highway, opposite the Solomon post office.

3Segment 10

Segment 124