When we say San Francisco, we are not talking about the metropolis famous for the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco Hot Springs in New Mexico is the perfect wild springs for a day hike. Entry-level natural hot springs The Gila National Forest is the sixth-largest national forest in the continental United States and includes the watersheds of the Gila River and its upper and largest tributary, the San Francisco River. Among the hot springs scattered throughout the national forest, San Francisco Hot Springs can be reached by a 3.1-mile round-trip hike and can be considered an entry-level hot spring. At the dead end of a dirt road in good condition, a restroom and a bulletin board appeared, which was the trailhead. A sign cautioned that the area was rattlesnake habitat and that clothing was required. After continuing through a sparsely vegetated shrubby wilderness, I came to a point overlooking the San Francisco River valley. Beyond this point, the area is for day use only and camping is prohibited. I descended the slope to the floodplain, where lush trees were prominent. The incline is steep, but the trail is clearly marked in zigzags and gradually decreases in altitude while enjoying the scenery. At one point, I had to cross a river on foot. Usually it is not deeper than knee-deep, so it is not a problem, but if the water level is rising, give up. Bring your shovel Crossing to the other side of the river, I found a puddle under the bank, where algae of ...
