|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 5.78 Miles |
3,504 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.78 Miles | 4 Hrs 40 Mns | | 1.39 mph |
| 3,504 ft AEG | 30 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | The trail head has been moved 1 mile down the dirt road. So the first part of this hike is covering that ground.
Since the Trail Head has moved note the updated distances:
Trail head to Baldy Saddle: 4.7 miles (one way)
Trail head to Mt Wrightson Peak: 5.75 miles (one way)
So if you are looking to summit Wrightson peak, you are looking at 11.5 miles round trip. It definitely was longer that I had expected. However, I plugged away and rested when needed and I made it fine.
I arrived after dark and followed the dirt road in my truck for some time. I found a campsite and spent the night. The next morning drove the rest of the way to the trail head. Crossing the shallow (just a few inches deep) stream several times. High Clearance is needed, but I did not need to use 4 wheel drive at any point.
Reaching the trail head there is room for maybe 3-4 cars if you park in tight. There was no one else there. Very little evidence of anyone else being there recently either. While gearing up I could hear the distinct call of wild turkey in the small canyon to the south.
The first mile is hiking along the old 4x4 road to the trail head. Not bad, I did encounter a garter snake out getting some sun. The hike up to the old trail head is not bad. It follows the creek. There were a couple camp spots you could hike into and have a wet camp, even the former trail head would work for that. (They would make for an easy beginner backpack not too far from the cars)
Once at the old trail head the trail enters the trees and crosses the creek. The trail is pretty wooded and shaded for a while, but not for very long. The trail is a continuous steady climb. Not too steep, but you are gaining elevation fast. The trail is in good condition and no route finding skills needed. There are many dead falls that cross the trail, but they do not significantly hamper your progress.
Since a few days before there had been a storm there were small patches of snow in some areas. No snow on the trail until the last mile up from Baldy Saddle to the peak.
I was hiking solo and did not see anyone until reaching Baldy Saddle, where a backpacker was setting up his tent. I saw one other hiker at the summit. Despite the solitude I did not see much wildlife. On the return I was treated to a doe crossing a bowl down below me.
The trail head and trail were clean and free of liter.
There are at least five numbered large campsites on the dirt road on the way into the trail head that are accessible by car. (No high clearance required to get to those camp sites). There were many campsites further in and closer to the trail head that do require high clearance.
There are a few decent places to set up camp for backpacking. Although it would be a steep grind up the Mtn with a heavy pack on. Unless there is a snow pack the last of the water was pretty much at the former trail head. Baldy Spring was not running. There was a "creek" less than a half mile below Baldy Spring that had a trickle of water. Most likely from the run off from the recent snowfall. |
 |
Baldy Spring |
Dry |
Dry |
| | | Some standing water in basin and spring. Not flowing. |
  |
Bellows Spring |
Dripping |
Dripping |
| | | Backpacker I met said he filled up here, expected the spring to run 2-3 more weeks at most. | | _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
