G.E.T. Guidebook

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Segment 23: South Diamond Creek  10.8 miles

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Segment Length	from PHX	to ABQ	Segment Status	Season
10.8 mi.	414		finalized & accessible	spring, summer, fall
Resources
OVERVIEW MAP ELEVATION PROFILE G.E.T. Topo Maps 62-64 Water Chart Image Gallery: Album 7				Additional maps: Gila National Forest (USFS) visit PLIC website Land management agencies: Gila NF Wilderness Ranger District: (575) 536-2250

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CHAPTER REMAINS UNFINISHED. SEGMENT OVERVIEW AND ROUTE DETAILS INFO BELOW ARE IN DRAFT FORM AND HIGHLIGHT ONLY THE ESSENTIALS NEEDED FOR NAVIGATING THIS SEGMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TOPO MAP SET.

SEGMENT OVERVIEW

Mellow tour of middle Gila country concludes in this segment with final push to the Continental Divide atop the Black Range, preceded by extended walk up perennial South Diamond Creek. Trail actually drops a sharp ~500 feet from pinyon-juniper-ponderosa mesa at first, into canyon of South Diamond Creek, then heads up the gentle canyon grade to regain lost elevation. Canyon harbors mixed riparian and conifer forest, with stately Douglas fir and Englemann spruce farther up-canyon, and beautiful wildflower meadows by mid-summer. Occasional fords of minor creek - often dry in places. Per usual in such canyons, occasionally vague trail due to limited use and sporadic flooding, or divergent trails in open meadows, but trail remains generally in flat-floored drainage and terrain is relatively open so navigation and progress come easily. However, marked contrast upon entering Burnt Canyon farther east, which is currently living up to its name, having burned quite severely within the past decade along with large swaths of the Black Range Crest and surrounding canyons. (We'll see more of this in Segment 24 - for worse and, in some respects, for the better.) Although navigation is no more challenging than elsewhere in the segment, and the trail has seen a work crew in recent years, nevertheless some timber continues to drop across the corridor, and thorny New Mexico locust can make for unpleasant going in a few spots. Thankfully this trail leaves the burn behind as it climbs in earnest the final mile to the Continental Divide.

ROUTE DETAILS

Me Own Trail 707 begins as several parallel tracks, proceeds east in pinyon-juniper. (Unsigned jct at 1.8 potentially confusing for westbounders, who should continue straight, avoiding left fork. As of 2010, correct fork now cairned for east and westbound users.) East of Me Own Hill, Tr 707 bends more northeast, but another trail - less obvious at first but possible to take by mistake - goes to Me Own Tank (stock pond). If so, head north from tank to rejoin Tr 707 above mesa drop. Well graded descent via short switchbacks reaches Tr 68 along south side of South Diamond Creek at 3.7. (Westbounders, watch carefully for junction with Tr 707, marked by low wooden signpost on left (most of which went missing in 2010, though the beaten track out of the canyon was plainly evident). Get water before starting ascent.)

Straightforward navigation east along Trail 68. Usually close to creek on one side or the other, but occasionally climbs above briefly to shortcut bends or narrows in first half of canyon walk. A few good established campsites en route, but possibilities are many. Don't despair if drainage dry at a particular crossing; some further ford likely to be wet, or in Burnt Canyon. (Don't camp in Burnt Canyon due to hazards from falling trees.)

Entrance to Burnt Canyon / Trail 69 obvious due to severe burn terminating literally right at confluence with South Diamond Creek Canyon & Tr 68. Trail sign, nailed to nearby tree, less obvious. In any case, head up Burnt Canyon to find trail within a few hundred yards. Navigation again straightforward, though canyon narrower, v-shaped, with some awkward fords of small creeklet (good water despite burn), and just very sporadic blowdowns to negotiate since 2009 trail maintenance. (Continuation of Tr 68 toward Divide not explored, but likely also burnt, with less maintenance, especially approaching Divide via Tr 67.)

Burn mostly ends where trail leaves Burnt Canyon per base map, begins easterly climb to Divide (last water before Diamond Peak Spring in segment 24). Ascent is well graded through mixed conifer forest with just a few blowdowns across trail at last check. Last 30 yards to Divide and junction with CDT rather obscure, overgrown. (Westbounders, immediately upon reaching low point / flat saddle south of Diamond Peak at waypoint 732, hopefully note old trail sign/post on right by cut / hollowed out logs. Turn right (west) to find good Trail 69 within 30 yards or so.)

Segment 22

Segment 24