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| Hiking | 16.50 Miles |
2,044 AEG |
| | Hiking | 16.50 Miles | 9 Hrs | | 1.83 mph |
| 2,044 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | | State Road 273 to West Baldy trailhead is still closed and, apparently, will remain so for a long time. We parked at the barricade on FR 87 and walked the Railroad Grade trail to West Baldy and continued up it to the Crossover trail. Turning east there, we crossed the creek and climbed the ridge on the far side. At the top, we left the trail and bushwhacked south along the ridge crest a few miles until we encountered the East Baldy trail. Joining it and going west now, we proceeded a couple more miles, then abandoned the trail to ascend south again into a tundra-like meadow at 11,000 feet just east of Baldy peak. Smoke from fires to the south somewhat comprimised wonderful views north and east. Rejoining East Baldy, we soon reached intersection with original West Baldy trail (the one on USGS maps) and turned down it. Trail was plain and clear for a half mile or so, then began disappearing intermittently in deadfall and thorny brush. Progress was very slow but GPS kept us close to the route, and we eventually intersected the current West Baldy in the midst of the spruce beetle kill area. We were disheartened to find even more deadfall there. A recreational hike was becoming serious labor. Even outside the dead zone there are lots of obstructions on the path, and with the trailhead virtually inaccessible and trail crews away on fires the situation will probably not improve soon. We saw no other hikers on the most popular trail in the White Mountains which seemed really strange, like being the only shopper in Walmart. |
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Route Editor
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