Originally Posted by
Miner
Leaving Lordsburg is paved for a short while and the last 9 miles into Silver City are paved as well as the area near the Gila cliff dwelling ruins. But there is trail and some wading in the Gila after you leave Silver City. Certainly not 55 miles of paved road, unless you are voluntarily road walking most of it, which some people do, but the trail through there isn't that bad once the water levels drop some. Not much is worse than walking asphalt on a hot day.
My experience of that section was in an April, so can't comment on May. The only part that was really hot was the first 15 miles out of Lordsburg which is exposed with little shade. After that, you get into partial shade as you are amongst trees since this section is higher than the previous one by the border.