Gila Wilderness Backpacking Trip, March, 2021

Zach and spent a few days backpacking in the Gila Wilderness. We originally planned for 4 days, thinking the distance was a little over 40, but it was actually quite a bit shorter and the hiking was pretty fast so we ended up knocking it out in 3 days. We hiked up the West Fork of the Gila River then up and over the plateau and then down the Middle Fork. If you map out our route it is about 34. I downloaded someone else's GPX file that put it at 42. Our GPS put it at 38. I guess being in the canyon with 1000 foot walls on either side messed with the GPS a little. None the less, great trip, great scenery. Surprised to see a couple bald eagles. I'm guessing we had close to 100 water crossings. We saw some people wearing sandals, and some trail runners. We had light trail shoes with neoprene socks which worked pretty well.