Trail Days 2024

Join speakers for an insightful and engaging panel and a showing of Connections to the Land. The panel will be moderated by Corey Torivio, Pueblo of Acoma and CDTC New Mexico Regional Representative. Speakers will include Richard Smith, Pueblo of Laguna and Mark Thompson, former Lieutenant Governor of the Pueblo of Acoma.

Join Warm Spring Apache Wolf Biologist, Krista Beazley, to learn about wolves in the Gila region.

Join Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa to talk about his thru-hiking journey on the CDT through the Gila through the Black Range – before the fire.

Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa

Whitney “Allgood” LaRuffa has been an avid thru-hiker since his first thru-hike of the Appalachian trail in 1996. During his college years “Allgood” worked as a ridgerunner along the Appalachian Trail helping others learn ways to responsibly enjoy the outdoors.

Allgood has hiked over 10,000 miles on long distance trail in the US, including the first thru-hikes of the Chinook Trail, a 330 mile route through the Columbia River Gorge in Washington & Oregon, and The Blue Mountains Trail, a 585 mile route through the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon.

Other thru-hikes he has completed include:
2011 John Muir Trail
2012 Wonderland Trail
2013 Tahoe Rim Trail
2014 Chinook Trail
2015 Sierra High Route
2016 Continental Divide Trail
2018 Trans San Diego County Trail
2018 Oregon Desert Trail
2020 Blue Mountains Trail

After many years on the trail, Allgood is fortunate enough to have his career be his passions. As the VP of Sales and Marketing for Six Moon, he shares his love of hiking and gear with others. Allgood is also the President Eremites of The American Long Distance Hiking Association-West (ALDHA-West) where for over 7 years he volunteered countless hours helping be the voice of America’s long-distance hiker.

Hear from Ilana Lapid (director of the Gila Film School), Araceli “Blue” Hernandez (director of What We Hold Sacred), and Simon Sotelo (field producer and mentor) about the importance of voices helping to shape the next 100 years of the Gila to be more diverse and younger.

View the release of two films created by the Gila Film School:

What we hold Sacred (trailer)

Legacies of the Gila (trailer)

This hike is a steady, 1 hour, 900 foot climb, just over a mile, through a mainly Pinon Pine forest. The trail climbs out of the forest onto a narrow ridge line with increasing views culminating with a 360 perspective stretching north into the Gila Wilderness and south to Mexico! Trailhead is just 15 minutes from town.

Hike Level: Moderate

Hike lead: Patrice Mutchnick, MS Botany, Director, Heart of the Gila

This hike includes creek hopping, rock jumping and a bit of off-trail navigating. Cherry Creek is a local’s favorite with year round water, tons of wildlife, and the hoodoo rock shapes emblematic of the Gila geology. Trailhead is just 20 minutes from Silver City.

Hike Level: Moderate

Hike lead: Elysha Montoya, Heart of the Gila Trip Leader

Meeting at the Wagon Wheel Trailhead, this trail offers an easy opportunity to experience the CDT for those interested in a morning trail run. There are a few spots that are a bit rocky and a couple short uphill climbs. The run will be three to six miles, depending on the preferences of the group. The pace will be accommodating to trail runners of all levels.

Trail-Run Level: Easy-Moderate

Trail-Run Lead: CDTC Staff Member

Jack’s Peak is a tremendous example of the Southern New Mexico transition from Chihuahuan desert flora, through Juniper Pinon forest, to a summit of Ponderosa and Scrub Oak. The summit is a unique mix of human history – now filled with radio and telecom equipment. This hike is moderately challenging, basic fitness is required.

Hike Level: Moderate-Challenging

Hike Lead: Will Tracy, Western New Mexico University

Note: This hike s limited to 8 participants – 4 each for WNMU students and the general public.

This is an approximately 7-mile out-and-back excursion up a pinyon and juniper filled desert ridge, and then down a spectacular box canyon to the Middle Fork of the Gila River. The middle fork features towering cliffs, spires, beaver dams, and evidence of indigenous and prehistoric inhabitation abounds. At various points throughout the hike, we can see a full spectrum of the views and habitats found in the Gila, from high mountain peaks, open desert grassland, dense forests, deep canyons, and free flowing rivers. This is a wilderness hike to one of the premier river segments in the Gila proposed as Wild and Scenic. If the group chooses, we may continue slightly up river once we reach the middle fork. To prepare for this possibility, please wear well-draining shoes and wool socks for the stream crossings.

Hike Level: Moderate-Challenging

Hike Lead: Luke Koenig, NM Wild

Note: This is a long hike with a drive to the trailhead. Participants should anticipate returning to Silver City around 5:00 PM.

Join Gila Back Country Horsemen brushing the CDT in the Burros near FS Road 36.  This part of the CDT is getting brushing, making it unpleasant to hike or ride.  This part of the CDT offers views of the Gila Wilderness in the distance as the trail drops into a canyon in the Burros.

Project Level: Easy

Project Lead: Melissa Green, Backcountry Horsemen of New Mexico

Note: Please RSVP for this project by emailing Melissa Green, [email protected]. This option is not listed on the hike registration form. Learn more about the project here. This option will not meet at the Silver City Visitors Center. View the project’s meeting place on this map.

Hike with a CDT Gateway Community Ambassador and Six Moon Designs in Celebration of the centennial anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness!

The Grapevine Campground is named for an actual old grapevine that can be seen today. Today there is a large chain around it to protect it. The East and West forks of the Gila River come together adjacent to this campground, forming the main stem of the Gila River.

This will be at least a 4 mile out and back hike that will have hikers crossing the Gila River a few times (so bring sandals or shoes you can walk in the water). The hike will meander until we’re ready to turn back – we will do some birding along the way and see who we can see and hear while we are along the banks of the Gila River.

The hike will finish around 12:30 pm snacks, waters, and a picnic lunch will be provided by CDTC.

Hike Level: Moderate

Hike lead: Simon Sotelo, CDT Gateway Community Ambassador

Note: This hike will meet at 7:45 AM. It is a nearly two hour drive to the trailhead and low-clearance vehicles are not suitable. 

Join the Southwest New Mexico Audubon Society for a guided birding hike on the San Vincente Cienega Trail, one of the top four birding spots in Grant County! It will be a great time of year to see migrating and resident birds.

Hike Terrain: 2+-mile out and back trail. Dirt with uneven surfaces and moderately difficult slope changes. Several points on trail require water crossing via rocks. Open and shaded areas. Dogs often off leash on trail. No restrooms or drinking water available.

Hike Level: Moderate

Hike Lead: David McDonald, SW NM Audubon Society

Join staff from the Murray Ryan Visitors Center for a guided walk through Historic Silver City! Learn about the history and culture of the town. 

Walk Level: Easy

Hike Lead: Murray Ryan Visitors Center Staff