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WEST BALDY TRAIL #94
Mount Baldy Wilderness Area
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| West Fork of the Little Colorado River flanks trail #94 |
Arizona's second highest mountain* is an
ancient stratovolcano that last erupted around 2 million years ago.
The genesis of Mount Baldy began roughly 9 million years ago with
multiple lava flows that gradually built up the mountain to an
estimated 13,000 feet. Although this massif's initial geological
history mirrors that of the Ring of Fire volcanos like those found in
the Pacific and along the west coast of the Americas, its present
form is due to mostly to the work of glacial ice. If you want proof
that enormous ice sheets once slid
through Arizona, just take a hike
on West Baldy Trail #94. The scoured mounds, gaping scoop-shaped
valleys, and fields of errant boulders are actually cirques and
moraines that formed during three periods of glaciation lasting
hundreds of thousands of years. Today, these ice-born features form
the headwater basins of the West and East Forks of the Little
Colorado River that continue to shape the mountain's character and
feed water all the way to the Salt River outside of Phoenix. Unlike
the chiseled peaks of Flagstaff, the chain of bulbous, volcanic
mounds that make up Mount Baldy present a tamer alpine experience.
Two trails ascend to near
the top. West Baldy Trail #94 follows the West Fork of the Little
Colorado River and is the route of choice for those looking for a
green, water-themed trek. East Baldy #95 is somewhat less shaded and
more exposed. In between, the 3.5-mile Mt. Baldy Crossover Trail
provides a handy link to make a 17.5-mile loop hike.
West Baldy Trail #94 starts
out as an easy stream side walk. Alpine meadows, thigh-high
wildflowers surrounding the river and magnificent views define the
hike's first 3 miles. Instead of being smacked with an abrupt
vertical ascent, the arduous climbing part sort of sneaks up on you,
turning serious near the 4-mile point where the trail enters a tract
damaged by the 2011 Wallow Fire. Here, charred tree trunks teeter
like fragile matchsticks poised to topple downhill at the behest of
summer storms and winter snow. The relatively short haul through the
destruction is mitigated by the promise of impending high-point
vistas and a sense of accomplishment. The "summit" is
actually ridge line with 3 distinct peaks. The tempting one in the
middle--11,403' Baldy Peak-- is within the White Mountain Apache
Tribe boundary and is open only to tribal members. Please respect
this sacred area by not trespassing.
LENGTH: 14 miles roundtrip (up and
back)
RATING: moderate-difficult
ELEVATION: 9,000' - 11,200'
GETTING THERE:
From Pinetop-Lakeside, travel 20 miles
east on State Route 260 to State Route 273 (signed for Sunrise Ski
Area just past milepost 377). Turn left and go 8.4 miles south to
the West Baldy trailhead on the right at milepost 386. The East
Baldy trailhead, is 2.5 miles farther south on SR 273.
INFO: Springerville Ranger District,
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
* Agassiz, Humphreys, Fremont, Abineau, Rees and Doyle are all PEAKS on San Francisco MOUNTAIN-- AZ's highest. Just as Baldy Peak and Mount Ord (not the one on AZ87) are PEAKS on MOUNT Baldy---AZ's 2nd highest.
* Agassiz, Humphreys, Fremont, Abineau, Rees and Doyle are all PEAKS on San Francisco MOUNTAIN-- AZ's highest. Just as Baldy Peak and Mount Ord (not the one on AZ87) are PEAKS on MOUNT Baldy---AZ's 2nd highest.
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