It's always a pleasure to read your reports and view your exceptional photographs, Bill. Thanks for your efforts to share them.
Regarding the CDT section hiker's description of hiking along the Gila River, I'd believe her. Over the last 5-6 years I've followed one or two CDT through-hikers' "Trail Journals" posts each year, and most discuss the Gila River route as one of several acceptable pathways along the CDT, which is known for being a network of alternates rather than a single footpath. Most hikers complain about the trail's many crossings of the river along its length, and the futility of trying to change into camp shoes for each crossing, so they just deal with wet feet all of the time for the length of the traverse. I suppose it's part of the origins of the CDT mantra: "Embrace the Brutality"
Foy