We drove to the trailhead for the Gila Section of the Arizona Trail near Kelvin Arizona. We hiked northbound a little less than 3 miles and back for a 5.75 mile round trip hike with 800 ft of overall elevation gain. The scenery was great and the wildflowers were wonderful. We saw 2 backpackers doing the trail and met 3 other hikers on our way out. A beautiful and serene day.
The day was mostly cloudy, but we enjoyed the nearby views.
Prickly pear cactus
Lots of saguaro cacti along the trail
We saw many patches of poppies along this section of the trail.
Barrel cactus, the fruit on top look like miniature pineapples!
This trail meanders among the hillside.
More poppies on the side of the trail.
The poppies opened up as the day warmed up.
More views along the trail
We would have some blue sky.
Looking down to the Gila River below us.
At the high point of this part of the trail is a marker noting where the Arizona Trail was completed.
Trail completion marker
From this same spot, we could look down and see the trail trellis bridge in the distance to the north.
Another view down to the Gila River
I saw my first crested saguaro here.
zoom
Another view of the train trellis bridge
Another crested saguaro
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Another view of the train trellis bridge. We found a spot near here to take a lunch break and returned the way we had come.
Mamalaria cactus with fruit
Looking back to the north
View to the southeast from the trail and the Ray Mine for copper.
Cholla along the trail
As we neared the trailhead, it began to rain and we cold see rain drops in this large puddle.some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today:
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