Bloodgood Spring - Gila National Forest

This is another short hike to a spring site near Kingston. We parked at the Kingston cemetery, crossed the highway and then proceeded down the severely thinned out hillside until we met the remnant of the old road. In a short while we were at a gate. We went through and were greeted by three old alligator junipers. If you go, and are wondering why this area is so comparatively lush, it's because cattle can't get in. It's amazing how different the Gila could look if it weren't for livestock grazing. It's not just the thick grasses here, but along the stream (which had a modest amount of water provided by the spring) there are willows, rose bushes, apple trees and cattails.

We continued downstream to the site of the old Bloodgood homestead where only a some vague foundations remain. There is  ceramic and metallic bits and pieces of the past for inspection as well. The stream continued to trickle for a stretch past here, but where it darted off to the right from the road/trail we were walking, it dried out completely. Soon another fence and gate appeared, which is a corner of a private property inholding ( this can be bypassed if one wants to continue down to the  Gila NF work center or use Southwest Canyon for a loop hike). We turned around. This is a nice little hike especially with younger children or older folks as there is little elevation change and the path is easy to follow. Just be sure to keep that gate closed.

 Before leaving we had a look around the Kingston cemetery. It had been probably 30 years since we last visited. It hasn't changed much.