Noonday Canyon 2017- Gila National Forest

 We hiked along Noonday Canyon several years ago,  when it was just a little too hot to make the initial climb up the Rabb Park Trail ( FT 747). We only made it as far as the log cabin using the old road that stays high on the south bank  before turning around. That July day the creek was a raging torrent, but this past Saturday after taking an early detour down to the creek to get the dogs a drink, we could walk along and in the stream which gently flowed with a few inches of water.
At a waterfall  that spillled into a deep pool carved in dark volcanic rock, we were almost turned around, until we realized there was path up the south side which took us through a gate at the corner of the corral near the cabin. On top of the waterfall there was remnants of a small dam that  the stream flowed over. An old beer keg  on a rusty pole had apparently been part of a fresh water system when a pond existed behind the rock dam.

Now there was a good path to follow that crisscrossed the creek on grassy banks. Early fall leaves lay in still pools. Young alders crowded the stream, a good sign for this recovering riparian area which is tightly fenced  on both sides down stream of the cabin. I'm presuming this is to limit grazing, because none of this private property.
 At  a narrow  passage through the rocks a small waterfall flowed. At a second narrow passage, we had to go up on the hillside through a fence down into a dry side canyon and then back to the main stream.


 We ambled along most pleasantly as the clouds sped by above. Seamus went after some wild turkeys, with one deciding to perch in a pine above, until we had  walked a safe distance by.  After more than a mile from the cabin, the trail entered  areas that were thick with milkweed, which made it difficult to follow. Our doggies were now getting covered with seeds and burrs, but they were so happy to be out in the forest, they didn't seem mind much.
 As we continued on, we  could see severely burnt mountain sides above us, and eventually the effects of the Silver Fire could be seen in the stream valley itself, which brought the scenery values down considerably. We ate our picnic lunch and then headed back.
NOTES: It appears that the cabin may still get some use sometimes, so pass by at a  respectful distance if it appears to be occupied.
 I heard voices when we first approached the creek, but never saw anyone. It appears on
Google Earth that there are two large pools just downstream from the road crossing. I'm wondering if they are deep enough to be used as a swimming hole.
 You may come across a discussion that speculates that there are two Noonday Canyons; this one and the one that  comes through the little town of  San Lorenzo near the Mimbres River. While there is ample redundancy in canyon naming throughout the Gila, in this case it is all the same canyon.