Hike Mount Baldy via West Baldy Trail Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, AZ

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Two trails lead to the near-summit of Mount Baldy, the high point of the White Mountains in eastern Arizona. I say near-summit because permission required from the White Mountain Apache Tribe to reach the summit, where the trails no longer lead and you can be fined for hiking without permission. The popular West Baldy Trail was more gorgeous than we could have hoped, and is the more often-used trail. The East Baldy Trail apparently is slightly overgrown, so we didn't risk it. The "west" and "east" refer to the forks of the Little Colorado River, not the cardinal direction relative to the mountain itself. Both trails start on the east side of Mount Baldy.

Lots of walking through alternating forest and meadows and paralleling the river had Matt and I feeling high in spirit. We had already hiked 11 miles today, so adding this 16+ could only be enjoyable if there were nice views, and there were. As we entered the eastern basin of Mount Baldy, some minor deadfall impeded quick hiking, but overall the trail was in really amazing shape and we made great time. The West Baldy Trail had two major switchbacks to get up to the northeast ridge of Mount Baldy, but views along this section of the route were mostly obscured by trees.

The trail led through some denser forest and to a signed trail junction. On my attached map, I've marked where the "official" West Baldy Trail goes in purple, but it's overgrown and not particularly pleasant. Additionally, it loses a few hundred feet of vertical gain before having to reascend to the summit of Mount Baldy. We followed this trail, hoping to stick to what is deemed "official", but the last few hundred feet to the summit was basically a bushwhack, marked only by cairns and occasional flagging. Once at the gorgeous, bald summt of Mount Baldy, we took in the sunset and then headed directly along the ridge to the north. This was a well-beaten trail and ascended an additional high point that may or may not be taller than what is marked as the high point to the south. The ridge put us back to the trail junction I mentioned previously, and had the best views of the day. I recommend just skipping the purple line on my attached map. I didn't have enough light to get good photos of this ridge, which is unfortunate since it was likely the prettiest portion of the hike. The reason we didn't initially head along the ridge is because at the trail junction, large sticks were piled up as if to serve as a "don't go this way" warning, likely because it also marks where the private tribal land begins.

Great AZ peak and a nice scenic lookout of the White Mountains.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Mount Baldy

11403 ft

4723 rise

Mount Baldy-North Peak

11400 ft

80 rise

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West Baldy Trailhead.

The trail was in amazing shape for a long time, swapping between forest and meadows.

Meadowy section, the slopes of Mount Baldy visible in the distant center.

Entering Mount Baldy Wilderness.

The West Baldy Trail parallels the West Fork Little Colorado River. It's a nice trail.

The trail begins to ascend away from West Fork Little Colorado River.

Gorgeous meadows.

More forested walking as the trail begins its ascent along the northeastern ridge of Mount Baldy.

Some views, though obscured by trees.

Some deadfall as we approach a major switchback in the trail before the route ascends in earnest.

Mount Baldy somewhere in the center.

Along the northwest ridge crest, a very pretty section of the trail.

Along the "official" trail, which lost vertical and ultimately doesn't go to the summit of Mount Baldy anyway.

Along the "official" trail.

Flagged route leading from the "official" trail to the summit.

Mount Baldy ahead.

Mount Baldy summit, view north toward Mount Baldy - North Peak.

Mount Baldy, view south.

Mount Baldy, view northeast.

Along the ridge, as we near Mount Baldy - North Peak. There is a trail along the ridgeline and I recommend using this instead of the "official" trail I marked in purple on the attached map.

Continuing down from Mount Baldy - North Peak back to the West Baldy Trail.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!