Whiterock Adobe Canyon Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This loop alternates between open grasslands with expansive views and interesting rock formations. It starts at the Middle Fork Trailhead at Gila Center, travels up the Middle Fork, over land to Whiterocks, down to the East Fork, and then back to the Middle Fork via Adobe Canyon. This loop could be done as a long day hike, run, or an overnight.

Do not use this trail if the Middle Fork Trail #157 is flooding

Middle Fork to the Mesa Top: At the Middle Fork Trailhead, you'll head down to the river on the Middle Fork Trail # 157. Travel upstream, and after 2 crossings, you'll pass Lightfeather Hot Springs. Hot is the keyword. These hot springs vary and can have scalding hot pools. Do not just jump in.

Continue up the river (crossing the river multiple times). The towering cliffs are impressive to hike under. You don't want to miss your turn onto the White Rocks Trail # 27, so watch your map. It is 1.5 miles from the trailhead and has a junction sign.

From here, the trail travels up switchbacks into open grassland and pinion/ juniper. Yes, this section of trail and others along the White Rocks loop are rocky. That is how the Gila trails are in many places. The expansive views start along with rock formations and cliffs in the distance to the north. Enjoy the flattish part since you'll have more switchbacks to climb up to the mesa. Stop as you travel up these switchbacks to enjoy the views. You can see all the way to Mogollon Baldy.

Mesa Top: When you arrive at the mesa top, you'll be greeted by a wooden junction sign. Follow signs to Whiterocks (head north or stay to the left). You'll pass this sign later in the trip as you return on the trail from the right.

As you continue towards Whiterocks, the trail offers more expansive views. In about 1.5 miles, you'll come to another wooden junction sign. Turn right here onto Iron Trail #771. You are now in Ponderosa Pine for a bit. Travel about a half mile and then look to your left for the Whiterocks feature. Whiterocks is not directly on the trail, so watch for it. From a distance, it just looks like a white mound – but after closer exploration, it has many grooves, features, and places to explore. This rock formation is not to be confused with the hill on the other side of the trail called Whiterocks, but it does not have impressive rock formations.

Once you are done, continue over the mesa towards the East Fork. Many cairns mark the trail. Due to the thick grass, sometimes these cairns lead the way instead of the trail tread. Over the mesa, the trail winds in and out of small drainages. You'll see many views of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness and its mountains in the distant east.

You'll know you are about to descend to the East Fork when the trail turns to white rock, and rock formations fill your view. Again, cairns will lead the way rather than trail tread. Because of the bedrock it travels through, the Forest Service trail crew had to chisel rock steps into some of the trails. The drop down to the East Fork is multilayered; each part offers its rock formations and views.

East Fork: Once at the East Fork, look to the west, and you'll see the enticing Cement Canyon with many white rock formations.

To continue the loop, take the Adobe Canyon Trail # 804 downstream for about 1.3 miles. The East Fork is a vastly different ecosystem. The trees are few, and the grass is plentiful. The floods from the Black Fire of 2022 may have damaged the trail on the East Fork. Pick your way along the river downstream until you reach Adobe Canyon. Keep an eye on your map/gps to make sure you don't miss it.

If you are camping along the East Fork, look for good options as you travel downstream. Be aware that the cottonwoods and sycamores along the river like to drop their branches, even those still alive. So, it is not recommended to camp underneath them.

Adobe Canyon: Before leaving the East Fork, be sure to fill up your water here for the last part of the trek. The trail is initially challenging to find because the vegetation covers the cairns and obscures the trail. But soon enough, if you are traveling up Adobe Canyon, you'll find the trail.