Soaking in the Gila
June SEAHA note from the editor
The goal of the May 14th ride was to get wet in the Jordan Hot Springs. We left our camp at TJ corral in the bright mid-morning, already feeling the rising temperatures at 0930. Though never really getting hot by Tucson standards, we were happy when after about an hour the trail dropped into the gloom of Little Bear Canyon. Barely 20 feet wide and less in places, single-file riding was ensured. The trickle of water in the bottom belied the torrent that would be there during flash floods. A few tight places necessitated leading. The shade diminished as the slot canyon opened up into the larger Gila River canyon. Only 15 crossings and we would be at the proverbial Jordan Hot Springs, purported to be one of the nicest in SW New Mexico. But the water was higher than expected, there had been plenty of snow this winter. Stirrups certainly were dampened, and Sarah said she could feel Phoebe’s feet swimming on one crossing. Each horse and rider seemed to enjoy the cool, clear water of the first crossing. At the second crossing Dennis tried out the temperature, by getting cleanly ejected midstream. We watched his hat and glasses fly off at his apogee, then saw his lightning reflexes choose the most important item, the glasses, and grab them in midair before hitting the water. Sarah dismounted on the opposite bank to help, then got bumped into the river when Phoebe scrambled to get out of Kiowa’s way. We made many more safe crossings, averaging one every 5 minutes, until we got to the 11th. There the river looked fairly deep, and the trail on the opposite bank was blocked by a tree that had been felled by beavers. Horace crossed with much urging, and I tried to move the tree. Judy, Nathan and Sarah followed, though Sarah’s mount hesitated in the water 5 feet from the bank for several minutes. We decided to turn around at this point. Nathan got his mule reversed and facing the river again on the constricted bank. Cricket inched forward on the edge, closer and closer, then started to hunch down her backside. “Whoa…hold on…look out” was all we could say as she leaped 8 feet into the river. Nathan remained in the saddle until she hit the water. We all watched in slow motion as he flew over her head into the river. He came up mad but unharmed. Sarah and I quickly jumped OFF our mules to slog back across as pedestrians, not equestrians. We had wanted to sit in the hot springs, but most of us got a soaking anyway.
The goal of the May 14th ride was to get wet in the Jordan Hot Springs. We left our camp at TJ corral in the bright mid-morning, already feeling the rising temperatures at 0930. Though never really getting hot by Tucson standards, we were happy when after about an hour the trail dropped into the gloom of Little Bear Canyon. Barely 20 feet wide and less in places, single-file riding was ensured. The trickle of water in the bottom belied the torrent that would be there during flash floods. A few tight places necessitated leading. The shade diminished as the slot canyon opened up into the larger Gila River canyon. Only 15 crossings and we would be at the proverbial Jordan Hot Springs, purported to be one of the nicest in SW New Mexico. But the water was higher than expected, there had been plenty of snow this winter. Stirrups certainly were dampened, and Sarah said she could feel Phoebe’s feet swimming on one crossing. Each horse and rider seemed to enjoy the cool, clear water of the first crossing. At the second crossing Dennis tried out the temperature, by getting cleanly ejected midstream. We watched his hat and glasses fly off at his apogee, then saw his lightning reflexes choose the most important item, the glasses, and grab them in midair before hitting the water. Sarah dismounted on the opposite bank to help, then got bumped into the river when Phoebe scrambled to get out of Kiowa’s way. We made many more safe crossings, averaging one every 5 minutes, until we got to the 11th. There the river looked fairly deep, and the trail on the opposite bank was blocked by a tree that had been felled by beavers. Horace crossed with much urging, and I tried to move the tree. Judy, Nathan and Sarah followed, though Sarah’s mount hesitated in the water 5 feet from the bank for several minutes. We decided to turn around at this point. Nathan got his mule reversed and facing the river again on the constricted bank. Cricket inched forward on the edge, closer and closer, then started to hunch down her backside. “Whoa…hold on…look out” was all we could say as she leaped 8 feet into the river. Nathan remained in the saddle until she hit the water. We all watched in slow motion as he flew over her head into the river. He came up mad but unharmed. Sarah and I quickly jumped OFF our mules to slog back across as pedestrians, not equestrians. We had wanted to sit in the hot springs, but most of us got a soaking anyway.
posted by Garrett | 3:35 PM
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