Turkey Creek Hot Springs, Gila, NM
This hike, if we should actually make it to the hot spring, was to be the most ambitious hike so far on this trip to New Mexico. It involved hiking up the
Gila River, crossing it at 1 mile, then hiking up Turkey Creek for three miles. However, arriving at what was the trail crossing, it was patently obvious
that crossing this stream was going to have to wait for another day, as crossing this particular stream was only practical if you had a death wish... which I do not!

Looking over the valley that the town of Gila sits in, from the top of the mountain that you must travel over to arrive at the trailhead.	Looking ahead from the beginning of the hike
Interesingly, and notable if you look at G-Earth, at one time the road went all the way to the confluence of Turkey Creek and the Gila River. And at some time in the past, maybe 2013, the Gila got overly enthusiastic, and washed out the road 1 mile back in a location that was not amenable to repair. So now the hike is one mile longer.	We're gettin closer
	This particularly interesting rock has on it what looks to be a prehistoric animal of some sort, testifying to the creativity of the original creator
	And this be the turnaround point. I didn't realize until I looked at the bigger version of this picture, and compared it with what I was seeing on G-Earth, that this was indeed the confluence of Turkey Creek and the Gila River. At the time, I surmised that the Gila was just going around a curve to the west. Turns out that at the far reaches of the river in this picture, what appears to be the Gila turning sharply left, is Turkey Creek making its full presence known. In any case, not 'wadeable' for those with sanity, which I still have managed to hang onto in small amounts. Age, however, is making those small amounts smaller and smaller.
Hiking dejectedly back down to the TH. I know you can't see dejected from a picture, but you can take my word for it, it was there. Even the dog was dejected.
	Climbing back out of the Gila Valley. The green areas in and around the trees made for some primo camping. With the caveat that a flash flood which are somewhat common could concieveably wash you back down to the town of Gila and beyond. And I have it on good authority, that flash floods are not kind to air breathing creatures, such as you & I
From the top of the mountain again, looking up the Gila watershed.	I am king of all I survey, even if I am a bit pudgy like the dictator of N. Korea :-)