Mineral Creek, NM
At the trailhead!
There is nothing quite like a classic Southwestern road trip into the high country: just two guys, a truck, good food, and a trail to explore. Recently, John and I loaded up for a bro's trip out to Mineral Creek, nestled near the edge of the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico.
Before hitting the dirt, we made an essential pit stop at the legendary Alma Grill. You cannot tackle a hike on an empty stomach, and Alma Grill did not disappoint. We fueled up with classic patty melts, icy-cold Coca-Colas, and a slice of pie to round it all out. Honestly, we were so impressed that on the way back out, we almost pulled right back into the parking lot for round two before deciding to save some room for next time.
The Ride & The Rig
John provided the wheels for this trip, his trusty green truck, fondly dubbed the Green Sergeant. While you definitely do not need a hardcore off-road vehicle to reach the trailhead, riding in the Sergeant along the dusty back roads made the trip feel like a proper adventure. It handled the dirt road portion with ease and added plenty of character to the drive.
On the Mineral Creek Trail
The trail itself follows along Mineral Creek, meaning water is everywhere. You couldn't ask for a more serene backdrop, with the gentle sound of rushing water accompanying us the whole way.
That didn't stop John from bringing out his brand-new full water reservoir to give it a test run. Despite literally hiking next to a flowing creek full of water the entire afternoon, John carried every single ounce of that weight. Even though our loop was a manageable three miles, carrying a fully loaded pack meant John was feeling pretty wiped out by the end of it, though he'll tell you it was worth it to test out the gear.
Prints and the Missing Apples
A few miles in, we hit the trail's infamous midway point: the wild apple tree. We scanned the branches hoping to catch a glimpse of fresh fruit, but luck wasn't on our side, not an apple in sight.
Further along in the damp mud near the creek bed, we spotted a set of fresh animal tracks. We spent a few minutes playing wilderness detectives, debating whether we had stumbled onto coyote prints or if it was just someone's well-traveled pet dog out for a walk around the same time. Who knows? In the Gila area, you never rule anything out.
All in all, Mineral Creek delivered everything a good bro's trip should: great food, a solid truck ride, gear testing, and a few good chuckles along the way. If you're ever rolling through Alma, NM, grab yourself a patty melt at the grill, jump on the trail, and keep your eyes peeled for those apples!
