October 5 - 7, 2012

Mount Baldy is the second-highest peak in Arizona, ensconced in the White Mountains near Springerville. We've heard bugling elk and howling wolves in the meadows and forests surrounding our campsites. What will this year bring? Please join me for a two-night backpack to this wonderful, high-elevation, forest-covered wilderness.

The Plan

We'll start very early on the 250-mile-drive to the Sheep Crossing Trailhead in the White Mountains on Friday morning, October 5th. Once we reach the trailhead, we'll hike for a total of about five miles, starting on the West Baldy Trail and crossing over to the East Baldy Trail via the Connector Trail. We'll set up our first camp along the East Fork of the Little Colorado River.

Along the East Baldy Trail On Saturday, we'll pack up our camp and head up Mount Baldy. We can't actually get to the peak - it's on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, and it is permanently off-limits - but we can get to the highpoint of the ridge. After near-summiting at 11,400+ feet, we'll head down the West Baldy Trail for about five miles to our second campsite near the West Fork of the Little Colorado River.

After spending one last night in camp on Saturday, we'll pack up on Sunday morning and strike out for the trailhead, which is less than three downhill miles away. Once we've reached the end of the trail, we'll climb into our vehicles and head back to Tucson. We'll most likely stop for breakfast along the way.

This trip is planned for a limited number of only four or five people. Fortunately, there is no charge for the campsites, but I may have to get a permit for a fire.

You'll need food for two dinners, two breakfasts, and one lunch. We'll stop for food on the way there and on the return trip.

Water and Weather

There should be water in each fork of the Little Colorado River. No worries, but I'll verify with the local ranger station before the trip.

The weather may be a bit brisk, since our elevation is quite high. You can probably count on daytime highs in the 60s with lows in the upper 30s. Remember that the campgrounds are at about 9,500 feet in early October, so it's going to be quite a bit cooler than Tucson. Perhaps by as much as 30 degrees. You will need a colder weather sleeping bag.

One nice thing is that we are allowed to have a fire if we have a permit. That makes the evenings a bit more special.

The Hike

day miles elev gain destination
Friday 0.0 / 0.0 0 ft / 0 ft West Baldy Trailhead
Friday 1.2 / 1.2 100 ft / 100 ft Connector Trail Jct
Friday 3.0 / 4.2 500 ft / 600 ft East Baldy Trail Jct
Friday 0.8 / 5.0 150 ft / 750 ft Campsite on the East Fork of the Little Colorado River
Saturday 5.5 / 10.5 2000 ft / 2750 ft Mount Baldy
Saturday 4.5 / 15.0 -1800 ft / 2750 ft Campsite on the West Fork of the Little Colorado River
Sunday 0.5 / 15.5 -200 ft / 2750 ft Connector Trail Jct
Sunday 1.2 / 16.7 -100 ft / 2750 ft Sheep Crossing Trailhead