Starting to make up for lost time using some Hoka Challenger trail-runners after a dislocated toe ..
during the last night of 2014 on a beach and canned my California backpack plans, so tested my recovery this trip. Also using a tarp and bivy combo for the first time in 10 years.. 2015 is looking up with a "24" hike as my toe seems recovered. Waited for a buddy and then drove the 2 hrs to the TH. 
Normally the Gila requires ice spikes in the northern shadows but warm temps+ ample precip (so far – no guarantees) offered an early start to regular old backpacking. We passed some plausible camps since we both had bivy sacks to get to the views. 
So did others including a group of younger hikers – we went to a sand bar instead as we were not psyched to cross the middle fork of the Gila in early Feb.
River camp view …
The morning was chilly but had my coffee next to my bivy, so made coffee before venturing out the way we came
Chow: Ate lunch at the Tienda del Sol going in and coming out. Not the best signage … 
A German couple runs and cooks there … high quality food and a very clean restaurant. Some bottled beer available (lagers) but was driving a couple hours. Weather is unseasonably great but no guarantees.
Big gear used:
MLD Superlight bivy
EE 20°F quilt
Zimmerbuilt 55L roll top pack
Exped UL 7 synmat
ZPacks Hexamid Plus set up for practice.
