# the Gila Valley lookout - Link: https://mywalkabout.net/the-gila-valley-lookout/ - Published: 2026-07-06T07:35:53-07:00 - Author: My Walkabout **July the 3rd, 2026.** For those in the workforce, many had this day off to celebrate the long 4th of July Holiday here in the USA. For me, this day was a perfect time to head back out to South Mountain to explore another one of the lookouts. With high clouds all over the Phoenix area, I head back up to see the views from the Gila Valley Lookout. ![Entrance sign for South Mountain Preserve in Phoenix, featuring the Gila Valley Lookout, with a red truck parked nearby.](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/ uploads/2026/07/IMG_1025.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **Another 108 degree day outside**, but with low to no humidity, one can bear the sunshine for about 10 minutes before needing shade. I look and listen for rattlesnakes, but the mountain top is quiet. All manner of creatures seem to be taking it easy, whether it be man or beast. I see the valley extend far out across Gila county and it’s farmlands dotted in between the Sonoran Desert. ![Distant view of a desert landscape with scattered hills and a valley under a cloudy blue sky.](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/HipstamaticPhoto- 804798190.360179.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **I set up my timelapse as a car pulls up and parks.** The reefer is strong with this one. I smile to myself as the gent gets out slowly and takes in the views. I sit in the shade and watch both my camera for signs of overheating as well as the gent going back and forth along the railing. Eventually a woman emerges from the same car and the hold each other in an embrace for a few seconds before the heat forces both of them back into their car. The smell of ganga leaves the area as the car drives away. ![Front view of a stone building with the sign 'THIS IS SCORPION GULCH' prominently displayed above the entrance, set against a clear blue sky.](https://i0.wp.com/mywalkabout. net/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IMG_1034.jpg?resize=640%2C360&ssl=1) **I get the timelapse** I want before the camera dies of heat exhaustion, then head back down the mountain. There are remains of a small outpost here that I want to check out quickly. It’s too hot to read the signs to find out what Scorpion Gulch was originally, but it feels like a ghost town. Part of the old Wild West. ### Share this: * [ Email ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-gila-valley-lookout/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20the%20Gila%20Valley%20lookout&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmywalkabout.net%2Fthe-gila-valley-lookout%2F&share=email) * [Post](https://x.com/share) * [Share on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/share) * [ WhatsApp ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-gila-valley-lookout/?share=jetpack-whatsapp) * [ Nextdoor ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-gila-valley-lookout/?share=nextdoor) * [ Threads ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-gila-valley-lookout/?share=threads) * [[ * [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) * [ Reddit ](https://mywalkabout.net/the-gila-valley-lookout/?share=reddit) ### Like this: Like Loading…