Gila West Fork Trail
~4 days · 34.5 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Gila West Fork Trail is known for
West Fork Trail #151 follows the West Fork of the Gila River from the Gila Cliff Dwellings to Willow Creek at the northern edge of the Gila Wilderness, about 33 miles point-to-point through a deep, winding volcanic canyon. Expect frequent river crossings; typically 3-5 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 18,632 ft to 27,113 ft over 34.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 22.1 mi · 65%
- Downhill 6.7 mi · 20%
- Flat 5.2 mi · 15%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Gila West Fork Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Gila West Fork Trail scores 21/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Gila West Fork Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Gila West Fork Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 34.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Gila West Fork Trail?
The Gila West Fork Trail climbs roughly 6,027 ft total — about 175 ft per mile, topping out near 8,343 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.