Near the summit of Mt. Baldy trail
Trailhead: Sheep’s Crossing
Near the summit of Mt. Baldy trail
Roundtrip: 14 miles, roundtrip from parking lot
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 9,000 feet to 11,200 feet
Seasonal water availability: Carry water or use a purifier.
Best hiking time: May through October, depending on snow pack.
Map: USGS Maps, 279NE, Mt Ord, AZ; 280NW, Big Lake NW, AZ.
Contact: Springerville Ranger District, 928-333-6200
Driving directions: From the Eagar stoplight, travel west on AZ Highway 260 for 17.1 miles to AZ Highway 273. Turn left (south) on AZ Highway 273 for 7.6 miles. The trailhead is on the right. You can also use this trailhead for the Railroad Grade Trail (Trail 601) and West Fork Trail(Trail 94).
Trail description: The trail starts just out of the parking area and through the gate. Please take a moment to sign the visitor register. The trail is easy to follow as it cuts across a wide meadow and edges up to the west fork of the Little Colorado. The trail follows the stream for the next 2 miles, climbing gradually. This stretch is the most heavily used portion of the trail and quite possibly the most heavily used trail on the forest. If you have a problem with lots of other hikers, avoid this trail on weekends and holidays. As the trail begins a more noticeable climb, the crowds thin out. The trail crosses the west fork over an old bridge and continues its uphill grade. The ascent is no vein-popper, but it can be taxing due to the steady climb and high elevation. The trail crosses meadows and winds through a thick forest setting dominated by spruce, fir and aspen. Beaver dams dot the streams, and fishing on the west fork is generally good. As you work your way up, the trail becomes a series of switchbacks. Please stay on the trail and resist the temptation to make your own shortcuts. This damages the soil, scars the land and causes erosion, which could wash out the established trail and bring silt into the creek. The West Baldy Trail merges with the East Baldy Trail in a saddle near the Reservation boundary below Mt. Thomas. At this point you can see some new country and continue down to the other side, or turn around and see the trail you just came up from a different angle. Each trail is a 7-mile hike from this point. Many hikers park a vehicle at the Sheep’s Crossing trailhead and another at the Phelps trailhead as shuttle vehicles.
Restrictions: This is a wilderness trail. Rules pertaining to wilderness areas apply and are enforced. No motorized vehicles, no bicycles and no power equipment are allowed in the wilderness. The summit of Mt. Baldy is on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and is closed to all non-tribal members. Please respect their customs and laws, and don’t travel to the top. Group size limits are 12 for hiking and riding and six for camping.
Trail description and photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service, Southwest Region, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.