Mineral Creek and Cooney in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Mineral Creek and Cooney Gila National Forest, NM

Class 2 5.8 miles 500 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Oct 13, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Mineral Creek and Cooney GPX Track

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This somewhat popular hike follows the well-established Mineral Creek Trail. Shortly after the hike begins, the trail leads through some gorgeous and colorful narrows, which include some minor rock-hopping and hiking over slippery slickrock. There were even a couple of small, algae-covered waterfalls. The canyon opens up for a bit before entering another section of pretty narrows with an interesting rock-carved trough in the slickrock. The trail continues, keeping to the left bank of Mineral Creek. I passed what was marked as the mining ruins known as Cooney, but there wasn't much more than some debris. I kept walking, thinking maybe it was mislabeled, and came across some more interesting old mining history. The trail went farther, but most people seem to stop well before this. A couple of minor stream crossings, some bits of old piping, and overall pleasant trail walking led to a concrete foundation for a mining operation ruin, a dilapidated wooden structure. I continued farther on the trail for a bit into a cozy little section within the Mineral Creek drainage, and although the official trail does continue, I encountered a half dozen downed trees and spider webs. I realized the trail was likely not maintained past this point. I turned back, having already seen what I was looking forward to.

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Mineral Creek Trailhead.
Mineral Creek Trailhead.
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Entering the first section of narrows.
Entering the first section of narrows.
Some minor rock-hopping within the narrows.
Some minor rock-hopping within the narrows.
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The narrows continue, but now have a slickrock floor.
The narrows continue, but now have a slickrock floor.
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View back along the slickrock.
View back along the slickrock.
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One of a couple of small waterfalls along the slickrock-laiden section of narrows.
One of a couple of small waterfalls along the slickrock-laiden section of narrows.
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View back down the narrows.
View back down the narrows.
A cool-looking pinnacle at the head of the narrows.
A cool-looking pinnacle at the head of the narrows.
The narrows open up for a bit and the trail continues along Mineral Creek.
The narrows open up for a bit and the trail continues along Mineral Creek.
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Second section of narrows begins.
Second section of narrows begins.
Interesting water-carved feature.
Interesting water-carved feature.
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Within the second set of narrows.
Within the second set of narrows.
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It's a short section, but very pretty.
It's a short section, but very pretty.
Mineral Creek leaves the narrows.
Mineral Creek leaves the narrows.
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Continuing along Mineral Creek.
Continuing along Mineral Creek.
Some old ruins at Cooney. There's more farther up.
Some old ruins at Cooney. There's more farther up.
Looking back down Mineral Creek.
Looking back down Mineral Creek.
Continuing along a more open section.
Continuing along a more open section.
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Approaching some more mining ruin remains.
Approaching some more mining ruin remains.
I don't know what it is, but there's this old thing, plus the remains of a brick wall out of frame.
I don't know what it is, but there's this old thing, plus the remains of a brick wall out of frame.
Continuing up Mineral Creek, where the trail becomes slightly less obviously traveled. Some old pipe that I argue should probably be removed, but others likely think it's "historic".
Continuing up Mineral Creek, where the trail becomes slightly less obviously traveled. Some old pipe that I argue should probably be removed, but others likely think it's "historic".
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Particularly pretty section along the Mineral Creek Trail.
Particularly pretty section along the Mineral Creek Trail.
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I reached a picnic table. Shortly after is a mining ruin.
I reached a picnic table. Shortly after is a mining ruin.
Mining ruin ahead.
Mining ruin ahead.
Concrete foundation and some old wooden structure.
Concrete foundation and some old wooden structure.
Foundation ruins.
Foundation ruins.
I continued farther up Mineral Creek for a few hundred more feet, where it became a bit cozy and lesser-traveled. And then the trail got too rough to be fun and I turned back.
I continued farther up Mineral Creek for a few hundred more feet, where it became a bit cozy and lesser-traveled. And then the trail got too rough to be fun and I turned back.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!