Frequency of seeing Gila Monsters

[TalusMonkey]

Hey, how frequently do you Arizona hikers run across Gila Monsters in the wild? I know their range is "southern Arizona," but what areas does that include? Have any of you seen Gila Monsters in the Superstitions? As far north as the Mazatzals?

Thanks! I'm all excited about Arizona's climate, geography and ecosystems. I wanna see a Gila Monster! (not hanging onto me while chomped into me, though)
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"If you can't KEEP up, don't STEP Up" - Richard Riddick, The Chronicles of Riddick

[kurthzone]

I lived here all my life (57 yrs as indicated below the avatar) and good deal of that has been spent out in the desert. I've seen them a half dozen times in the wild.
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;o)>

[Daryl]

I've done a lot of miles in 9 years and only saw 2. One near Picket Post and one on the Terrapin trail in the supes.
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[evenstar]

I have yet to see one in my six years here. Of course I don't hike as often as many of AZH'ers, but I've seen numerous snakes; rattler, king and bullhead so have to assume I've been close to Gila Monsters on some of my hikes, just haven't seen them.
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John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902

[Cholla]

In a little over 8 years here I have only seen one Gila monster on the trail. The same with tortoises, only opne in the wild so far. Plenty of snakes and they will be coming out soon. I saw a little bull snake in my front yard a few days ago catching a few rays.

[CannondaleKid]

I lived here 4 years before seeing either a gila monster or a tortoise. But while mountain biking at Usery Park last June, within two weeks and only 100 feet of each other on the Blevins Trail, I got my chance.

I have a number of pictures of both on my web site:
Tortoise pics at:
http://www.changephoenix.com/Usery2006-06-04.html
Gila Monster pics at:
http://www.changephoenix.com/Usery2006-Summer.html

Can't wait to add to my rattler pics again this year.
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CannondaleKid

[wrongway]

I've seen one Gila Monster. It was early in April (a few years ago) about 9a on the Bluff Springs Trail in the Superstitions. I came up over a rise and it was sunning on the trail. It crawled off as fast as it could and hid under a rock.
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YLLAW

[Shawn]

2 in 15 years. One north of Alamo Lake about 13 years ago, and one South of JF ranch in the Supes last spring.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

[TalusMonkey]

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. Really interesting info and experiences. Sounds like these Gila Monsters are elusive, if you can hike for years without seeing one.

I'm doubtful that I'll stumble on one during my occassional hiking visits, but I'll keep my eyes open, just in case. If I have to, I suppose I could just move down there and hike for a few years...
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"If you can't KEEP up, don't STEP Up" - Richard Riddick, The Chronicles of Riddick

[fritzski]

Part of the problem is I believe they are inactive for a large part of the year, especially the cooler months when hiking is most popular. I once saw three on one hike up the Peralta trail on a monsoony August afternoon. Only one time ever other than that.

[Al_HikesAZ]

[Arizonaheat]

[Trishness]

I've only seen two in 3 years. One was on the Terrapin Trail in the Supes in March of 2004 at 7:45 AM near some standing water just past the Bluff Spring intersection. The second one was also in the Supes in Boulder Basin in April 2006, also near standing water near the Bull Pass intersection in the early morning.

Both hissed at me but moved off when I posed no threat or made no movement toward them.


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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

[IGO]

I saw one when I was a kid. Sorry.
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"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

[IGO]