Editor's Note: What a better front page story than the photos taken by Alaina Dunivan, who sometimes photographs for the Beat, on a family vacation camping into the Gila Wilderness along the Middle Fork of the Gila River.
Article and Photos by Alaina Dunivan
"Having the Gila National Forrest and Gila Wilderness in our backyards is a blessing," Alaina Dunivan said. "Every year my husband and I have taken pack trips into the Gila Wilderness, this is our idea of a family vacation. We still go every year and take our two boys along, ages 6 and 2 1/2. They both enjoy it, playing with all the toads, frogs, caterpillars, and pretty much anything that moves that interests little boys. Getting down and dirty in the dirt and mud and then taking a quick dip in the river or streams to wash off. I enjoyed the critters as well, but taking pictures of all the wild flowers was my highlight. What my husband and I enjoy most is telling our sons about the people that used to live in the Wilderness, from the Native Americans to the ranchers and mountain men that called the Gila home at one time. You know they enjoy it when all they talk about is Geronimo, Ben Lilly, and other figures like Mr. Trotter who was a rancher and farmer on the Middle Fork. Wyatt, my oldest, was 3 years old when we first packed into Trotter's old cabin site. His biggest excitement was to see the old truck that is parked above the Middle Fork and old Trotter place. He talked about it most of the ride in. Wyatt and his little Shetland pony Trigger are now experts at crossing the middle fork while Garrett still rides on the saddle with his dad. We cannot ask for a better camping adventure and just have to stop and thank God for such beautiful mountains and scenery and most of all a safe and exciting trip and many more ahead of us!"
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
View from the road that drops down into Snow Lake coming from the Reserve area. Rainy day.
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
What is a camping trip without a little rain and two kids, Garrett, 2 1/2, and Wyatt, 6, having fun in their slickers. This was on the Middle Fork.
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Rainbow over the Middle Fork of the Gila.
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Thanks to an old barrel for keeping the fire from being smothered during an afternoon rain storm on the Middle Fork.
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Mountain Tree Frog in the Middle Fork
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Sunflower on the Middle Fork
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Wild geranium in the Middle Fork.
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
A Hummingbird Moth taking nectar from wild delphiniums in Middle Fork of the Gila
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Wild yellow Columbines Middle Fork Gila
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Thurber's cinquefoil
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Wyatt on his pony Trigger standing next to the old truck over looking the Middle Fork
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Elk running from us as we were climbing back out of the Middle Fork
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Old barn above the Hulse Ranch in Canyon Creek. Took a day drive in the Jeep.
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Chocolate Lab Barrett enjoying a game of fetch on Snow Lake. The best thing ever to a retriever!
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Some inidentified alien plants at Snow Lake
Photographer Alaina Dunivan's family vacation
Beebalm that seemed to be all over between Snow Lake and Beaver Head Rds.