We've lived in the White Mountains since 1978, and I believe I've never seen the country so green. This was an outstanding hike. When we couldn't locate the game track we intended to follow, we found another that was even better. Eventually we wandered into two little meadows above 10,000 feet with magnificent views toward the east and Escudilla. One of these we had visited years ago and had searched unsuccessfully for it ever since. As rain clouds gathered, we set a course for the West Baldy Trail and entered a small clearing as a mountain lion exited stage left about fifty feet away. It was our first and a real thrill. We walked in gentle rain for a few miles, and encountered two other hikers with a chagrined dog in a yellow slicker, but the sky was clearing before we reached Benny Creek. We jumped a large group of bedded elk near there and saw antelope on the drive home.