Whitewater Baldy via Crest Trail in Gila National Forest, NM

Hike Whitewater Baldy via Crest Trail Gila National Forest, NM

Class 1 10.8 miles 2500 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Oct 14, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I intially intended to hike to Mogollon Baldy, another high point many miles past Whitewater Baldy, but photos will display my hesitation in continuing. Unfortuantely, the area was burned in 2012 by an extensive fire, and the NFS has done a wonderful job of clearing most of the trail from downed trees for much of the hike, but it's not a fully restored trail (as of October 2020). Driving to the trailhead is accessible by any vehicle, though it's on a long dirt road.

The hike along the Crest Trail starts off pleasant, the trail in good shape and with some nice views through the burned trees. The trail is slow in gaining elevation, most of the serious uphill being the last bit to the summit. Along the way, I passed through one section of unburned forest, which was a nice change of pace from the eeries whisper of wind through the blackened trees. The trail led to a saddle on the southeast side of Willow Mountain, where it's clear that deadfall had recently been cleared, fortunately. There would have been a lot to hop over here. A half mile before Hummingbird Saddle (the saddle just north of Whitewater Baldy) marked where the fun would stop, that is unless you enjoy hopping over trees. The trail is littered with the dead trees, and it continues this way until Hummingbird Saddle, small sections of clear trail serving nice reprieve.

Once I reached Hummingbird Saddle, I noted a very old sign marking the Whitewater Creek Trail and laughed at the thought of attempting to hike to Whitewater Baldy via Whitewater Creek (a trip I thought of doing at one point). These Gila trails can be pretty rugged and under-maintained. I left the Crest Trail and headed up the north ridge of Whitewater Baldy, avoiding some awful thorny brush by keeping to the left, and then doing my best to zig-zag around blowdown all the way to the summit. The view north to Mogollon Baldy was enticing. I could also see Holt Mountain to the southwest. Thinking back, the obstacles weren't all that bad – I just didn't know when it woud end and I had it in my head that I'd need to do this all the way to Mogollon Baldy, and it brought my spirit down. So, I decided to skip Mogollon Baldy and head back. I should note that my friend Kevin says most of the blowdown is over past Whitewater Baldy, which was a bit of a FOMO-inducing revelation for me after I learned this.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Whitewater Baldy
10895 ft
3535 rise

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Lovely view from the trailhead.
Lovely view from the trailhead.
Starting along the Crest Trail.
Starting along the Crest Trail.
Image 2 from gallery
Nice recently-cleared trail for the first few miles.
Nice recently-cleared trail for the first few miles.
Image 4 from gallery
Image 5 from gallery
A section of live forest.
A section of live forest.
The Crest Trail wraps around Willow Mountain's northern slopes, slowing gaining elevation.
The Crest Trail wraps around Willow Mountain's northern slopes, slowing gaining elevation.
Image 8 from gallery
Looking back. Lots of cleared trees, thank you.
Looking back. Lots of cleared trees, thank you.
Image 10 from gallery
At the saddle to the southeast of Willow Mountain. The trail ascends for a bit to a minor hump between Willow Mountain and Whitewater Peak. I entertained the idea of hiking up to Willow Mountain, but the deadfall would have been rough.
At the saddle to the southeast of Willow Mountain. The trail ascends for a bit to a minor hump between Willow Mountain and Whitewater Peak. I entertained the idea of hiking up to Willow Mountain, but the deadfall would have been rough.
Looking back toward Willow Mountain as I ascend to a small hump between Willow and Whitewater Baldy.
Looking back toward Willow Mountain as I ascend to a small hump between Willow and Whitewater Baldy.
Image 13 from gallery
On the small hump, view toward Whitewater Baldy.
On the small hump, view toward Whitewater Baldy.
Looking back as I continue along the hump's crest.
Looking back as I continue along the hump's crest.
View toward the Gila peaks to the southwest. Holt Mountain top right, Sacaton top left (I believe).
View toward the Gila peaks to the southwest. Holt Mountain top right, Sacaton top left (I believe).
The trail became no longer maintained. Whitewater Baldy visible top left, still a bit away.
The trail became no longer maintained. Whitewater Baldy visible top left, still a bit away.
The deadfall was a bit tedious. The trail wraps around a second bump along the ridgeline.
The deadfall was a bit tedious. The trail wraps around a second bump along the ridgeline.
And there were some more clear sections, fortunately.
And there were some more clear sections, fortunately.
Hummingbird Saddle. You can see an old trail sign for the Whitewater Trail.
Hummingbird Saddle. You can see an old trail sign for the Whitewater Trail.
From Hummingbird Saddle, I left the Crest Trail and headed up to Whitewater Baldy. This is what you can expect to encounter.
From Hummingbird Saddle, I left the Crest Trail and headed up to Whitewater Baldy. This is what you can expect to encounter.
Looking back toward Willow Mountain (center) and Whitewater Creek (left).
Looking back toward Willow Mountain (center) and Whitewater Creek (left).
Ascending to Whitewater Baldy.
Ascending to Whitewater Baldy.
Approaching the summit.
Approaching the summit.
View toward Mogollon Baldy (top center) from Whitewater Baldy's summit.
View toward Mogollon Baldy (top center) from Whitewater Baldy's summit.
View toward Sacaton and and Holt.
View toward Sacaton and and Holt.

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!