AZ_hiker - Nov 20, 2020 12:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2020
2nd highest mountain in Arizona
Did a day hike. Loop was 18 miles. Great weather with great views.
Scott - Oct 8, 2020 7:22 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2020
Mount Baldy
Kessler and I climbed Mount Baldy today, seeing one bear along the way. We used the West Fork Route. We didn't bring a topo map and got confused using the sketch map in an old copy of Hiking Arizona. We ended up on Baldy Peak, mistaking it for the summit of Mount Baldy (which is on public land), which we had already passed over. You aren't supposed to climb that one (it was unintentional) so we quickly returned. (Later I contacted the tribe to let them know that I unintentionally trespassed).
We headed back the same way, passing an aggressive yellowjacket swarm. It looked like a bear had tried to dig up their nest. I was stung several times.
Xxjt123xx - Sep 11, 2020 1:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2018
Very scenic and great climate
Very scenic and great climate
technicolorNH - May 16, 2020 6:47 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2020
too much snow
Going to have to come back for this one. I was still short of the boundary when I turned back because of hip deep snow after starting from the East Baldy TH. Little did I know I was in the area of Arizona that gets the highest amount of precipitation in the state. On 19 November 2020 I hiked it again from the West Baldy TH and got to the top of both summits. The final mile from the trail junction was postholing in two foot deep snow, but the western edge of the ridge was almost completely bare because of the wind which eased matters somewhat. Roughly 19 miles for the day and it took four hours on the ascent, with many trees down on the West Baldy Trail.
Dull. I said it. White Man's summit, only. Just wasn't impressed, and I would rather go to CO or the Peaks near Flagstaff. The way people go on about this, you would think it would blow one's mind, but this was just boring.
hans.schenk - Jul 9, 2018 11:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2018
Before the hail...
Great backpack up the West Baldy Trail, summit, and back down the East Baldy Trail. We had massive rain, hail, and lightning about one mile from the cars. Good timing for sure...
How do you get permission to summit Mt Baldy? I'm planning to hike there soon, but want to get permission from the tribe first to summit.
Tyler W Wagland - Oct 1, 2016 5:10 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2016
2nd attempt a "charm" on Mt Baldy!
I got an early *(4:30 AM) "headlamp" start on the West Baldy Trail to beat the possibility of potential bad weather on the summit. In May, my wife & I climbed to within about a half mile of the summit but turned around when rain, hail, lightning, & "thundersnow" developed. We also were there before summer trail maintenance had removed numerous dead tree falls blocking the trail...this time the trail was in great shape.
Multiple attempts by telephone & email to get "permission" from the White Mountain Apache Tribe had proven fruitless...no call backs after leaving my telephone number...no email returns, etc
The "sign" I had seen on line indicating "no trespassing" was REMOVED! *(See my photo!)Does this mean you can NOW "legally" walk the well trod ridge path to the "true" summit? Was a NEW sign being constructed? I still do not know...
However, seeing no one all day, & seeing no indication of a "no trespassing" sign, just a VERY well used trail, I proceeded along the ridge line to the rocky, more southern, (apparent) high point. Apparently there continues to be some debate as to exactly where the "true" summit is, in addition to the location of the true "boundary line". I view it as "God's Country".
The entire summit ridge, regardless of my elevation, provided superb views in all directions. It DID cloud up on the return trek but a few sprinkles over the final mile only added some late summer zest to an incredible hike!
mstender - Jun 8, 2015 11:52 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2015
East Trail - both summits
We went up and down the East trail and tagged both summits. Amazing area: green lush, forested and abundant wildlife.
cdog - Jun 17, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
highpoint of the White Mountains
I hiked this peak 3 times between 2005-2007. On the most memorable trip, my dog Milo and I did a 35-mile (approx) loop up the West Fork Trail and down the East Fk Trail, starting and ending from Greer. Early on the hike, as we passed through the Sheeps Crossing area and neared the wilderness boundary on the West Fork Trail, we encountered a small wildfire. I ended up dumping out my camelback to put it out, and then realized that we still had 20+ miles to go. This area has a lot of cows, and I did not have a filter, so I ended up walking up a small Little Colorado tributary uphill far enough that I figured cows wouldn't go, and refilled. The water was great. We made the summit with no issue, but as we crossed to the East Fork Trail the monsoon thunderstorms began to build, and we were soon in a lightning storm. This inspired us to move quicker, and we quickly worked down to larger timber and the less exposed portions of the trail. We made it back to Greer, where my girlfriend and other dog met us about a mile from the truck. We stopped at Molly Butler lodge and enjoyed a couple well-deserved beers. This is a high-quality long loop if you're looking for a more serious day hike. I miss the White Mountains!
PrestonArizona - Nov 17, 2010 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2010
Baldy in autumn
Went up East Baldy Trail to the summit, then down West Baldy Trail, and returned on Phelps Cabin Trail. Perfect weather, and I didn't see anyone else all day.
Dean - Oct 17, 2010 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2010
Tri completion
Three of us completed the state of AZ county highpoints together. One was from Holland, there was myself and Rick Hartman who completed the AZ state county highpoints for the second time around. Also in our group was Bill Jacobs from Prescott who had already completed the state and this was his second visit and John Mitchler from Colorado. We went up the east trail and enjoyed the fall colors. We went to both summits.
NavySeabee - Aug 18, 2010 7:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
East Baldy Trail
Day one of my AZ/NV HP tour. What a treat!! The meadows were breathtaking. Couldn't believe AZ could be this green! Considered tagging Baldy Peak, but didn't want to push my luck. Trail has been rerouted to come up north side of mountain in order to avoid the Reservation Boundary (I believe). Went and tagged the Greenlee Cty HP as a thunderstorm was starting as well.
Dennis Poulin - Jul 15, 2009 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2008
East Trail
Nice hike, saw elk and the airplane. This completed the CoHP's of AZ for me.
Dundeel - Sep 16, 2008 1:02 am Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2008
White Mountains Paradise
Long hike but beautiful country. Used the West Fork (Little Colorado River) Trail. The valley is full of big meadows and gurgling waters. The elk would occassionally bugle from deep in the woods.
Add 2 miles RT for trail detour due to road construction on 273. There were also dozens of trees down across the trail. Some had been there for quite some time.
oldadit - Aug 5, 2008 6:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 1992
Long Hike
Hiked in and out on west fork trail. Baby Molly got to
ride a lot in child carrier. We went back the EZ way
with whole family in 1999.
Great long hike in the forests led to the timberline and expansive views in all directions. We summited as high as we could legally (The summit with the "O" on it on the Baldy topo), and could easily see the summit within the reservation.
Wonderful trail and checked out the plane wreck too. The rock formations down lower on the trail made for great pictures.
weeds19 - Mar 9, 2007 10:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2003
Have gone both routes (6/24/00 & 9/19/04). I think I like the southern route better (called East Baldy Route), which we did in 2004 in a steady rain. Elk heaven. Camped at the Winn CG and stayed awake all night due to the other-worldly elk wailing. My reports
BCL - Feb 23, 2006 5:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2005
AZ_hiker - Nov 20, 2020 12:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2020
2nd highest mountain in ArizonaDid a day hike. Loop was 18 miles. Great weather with great views.
Scott - Oct 8, 2020 7:22 am Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2020
Mount BaldyKessler and I climbed Mount Baldy today, seeing one bear along the way. We used the West Fork Route. We didn't bring a topo map and got confused using the sketch map in an old copy of Hiking Arizona. We ended up on Baldy Peak, mistaking it for the summit of Mount Baldy (which is on public land), which we had already passed over. You aren't supposed to climb that one (it was unintentional) so we quickly returned. (Later I contacted the tribe to let them know that I unintentionally trespassed).
We headed back the same way, passing an aggressive yellowjacket swarm. It looked like a bear had tried to dig up their nest. I was stung several times.
Xxjt123xx - Sep 11, 2020 1:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2018
Very scenic and great climateVery scenic and great climate
technicolorNH - May 16, 2020 6:47 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2020
too much snowGoing to have to come back for this one. I was still short of the boundary when I turned back because of hip deep snow after starting from the East Baldy TH. Little did I know I was in the area of Arizona that gets the highest amount of precipitation in the state. On 19 November 2020 I hiked it again from the West Baldy TH and got to the top of both summits. The final mile from the trail junction was postholing in two foot deep snow, but the western edge of the ridge was almost completely bare because of the wind which eased matters somewhat. Roughly 19 miles for the day and it took four hours on the ascent, with many trees down on the West Baldy Trail.
Humphrey - Jul 12, 2019 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2019
DullDull. I said it. White Man's summit, only. Just wasn't impressed, and I would rather go to CO or the Peaks near Flagstaff. The way people go on about this, you would think it would blow one's mind, but this was just boring.
hans.schenk - Jul 9, 2018 11:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2018
Before the hail...Great backpack up the West Baldy Trail, summit, and back down the East Baldy Trail. We had massive rain, hail, and lightning about one mile from the cars. Good timing for sure...
cjmall - Jun 4, 2023 3:54 pm
Re: Before the hail...How do you get permission to summit Mt Baldy? I'm planning to hike there soon, but want to get permission from the tribe first to summit.
Tyler W Wagland - Oct 1, 2016 5:10 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2016
2nd attempt a "charm" on Mt Baldy!I got an early *(4:30 AM) "headlamp" start on the West Baldy Trail to beat the possibility of potential bad weather on the summit. In May, my wife & I climbed to within about a half mile of the summit but turned around when rain, hail, lightning, & "thundersnow" developed. We also were there before summer trail maintenance had removed numerous dead tree falls blocking the trail...this time the trail was in great shape.
Multiple attempts by telephone & email to get "permission" from the White Mountain Apache Tribe had proven fruitless...no call backs after leaving my telephone number...no email returns, etc
The "sign" I had seen on line indicating "no trespassing" was REMOVED! *(See my photo!)Does this mean you can NOW "legally" walk the well trod ridge path to the "true" summit? Was a NEW sign being constructed? I still do not know...
However, seeing no one all day, & seeing no indication of a "no trespassing" sign, just a VERY well used trail, I proceeded along the ridge line to the rocky, more southern, (apparent) high point. Apparently there continues to be some debate as to exactly where the "true" summit is, in addition to the location of the true "boundary line". I view it as "God's Country".
The entire summit ridge, regardless of my elevation, provided superb views in all directions. It DID cloud up on the return trek but a few sprinkles over the final mile only added some late summer zest to an incredible hike!
mstender - Jun 8, 2015 11:52 am Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2015
East Trail - both summitsWe went up and down the East trail and tagged both summits. Amazing area: green lush, forested and abundant wildlife.
cdog - Jun 17, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 7, 2007
highpoint of the White MountainsI hiked this peak 3 times between 2005-2007. On the most memorable trip, my dog Milo and I did a 35-mile (approx) loop up the West Fork Trail and down the East Fk Trail, starting and ending from Greer. Early on the hike, as we passed through the Sheeps Crossing area and neared the wilderness boundary on the West Fork Trail, we encountered a small wildfire. I ended up dumping out my camelback to put it out, and then realized that we still had 20+ miles to go. This area has a lot of cows, and I did not have a filter, so I ended up walking up a small Little Colorado tributary uphill far enough that I figured cows wouldn't go, and refilled. The water was great. We made the summit with no issue, but as we crossed to the East Fork Trail the monsoon thunderstorms began to build, and we were soon in a lightning storm. This inspired us to move quicker, and we quickly worked down to larger timber and the less exposed portions of the trail. We made it back to Greer, where my girlfriend and other dog met us about a mile from the truck. We stopped at Molly Butler lodge and enjoyed a couple well-deserved beers. This is a high-quality long loop if you're looking for a more serious day hike. I miss the White Mountains!
PrestonArizona - Nov 17, 2010 9:37 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2010
Baldy in autumnWent up East Baldy Trail to the summit, then down West Baldy Trail, and returned on Phelps Cabin Trail. Perfect weather, and I didn't see anyone else all day.
Dean - Oct 17, 2010 6:05 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2010
Tri completionThree of us completed the state of AZ county highpoints together. One was from Holland, there was myself and Rick Hartman who completed the AZ state county highpoints for the second time around. Also in our group was Bill Jacobs from Prescott who had already completed the state and this was his second visit and John Mitchler from Colorado. We went up the east trail and enjoyed the fall colors. We went to both summits.
NavySeabee - Aug 18, 2010 7:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2010
East Baldy TrailDay one of my AZ/NV HP tour. What a treat!! The meadows were breathtaking. Couldn't believe AZ could be this green! Considered tagging Baldy Peak, but didn't want to push my luck. Trail has been rerouted to come up north side of mountain in order to avoid the Reservation Boundary (I believe). Went and tagged the Greenlee Cty HP as a thunderstorm was starting as well.
Dennis Poulin - Jul 15, 2009 12:57 pm Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2008
East TrailNice hike, saw elk and the airplane. This completed the CoHP's of AZ for me.
Dundeel - Sep 16, 2008 1:02 am Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2008
White Mountains ParadiseLong hike but beautiful country. Used the West Fork (Little Colorado River) Trail. The valley is full of big meadows and gurgling waters. The elk would occassionally bugle from deep in the woods.
Add 2 miles RT for trail detour due to road construction on 273. There were also dozens of trees down across the trail. Some had been there for quite some time.
oldadit - Aug 5, 2008 6:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 1992
Long HikeHiked in and out on west fork trail. Baby Molly got to
ride a lot in child carrier. We went back the EZ way
with whole family in 1999.
sbkelley - Sep 4, 2007 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
East Baldy TrailGreat long hike in the forests led to the timberline and expansive views in all directions. We summited as high as we could legally (The summit with the "O" on it on the Baldy topo), and could easily see the summit within the reservation.
Wonderful trail and checked out the plane wreck too. The rock formations down lower on the trail made for great pictures.
weeds19 - Mar 9, 2007 10:12 pm Date Climbed: Oct 5, 2003
Nice hikeA beautiful fall hike!
surgent - Sep 12, 2006 10:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2004
Twice - 2000 and 2004Have gone both routes (6/24/00 & 9/19/04). I think I like the southern route better (called East Baldy Route), which we did in 2004 in a steady rain. Elk heaven. Camped at the Winn CG and stayed awake all night due to the other-worldly elk wailing. My reports
BCL - Feb 23, 2006 5:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2005
West Baldy, East Baldy, Crossover loopLoop hike.