If a long day hike along a clear mountain stream to (almost) the top of Mount Baldy appeals to you, this is your hike.
The Mount Baldy wilderness is an excellent summer destination for those of us trying to escape the desert heat. The extra drive to this area reduces the crowds significantly and the elevation rewards the added drive time. One of the more popular hikes in this area is the trail along the West Fork of the Little Colorado river to the (almost) peak of Mount Baldy.
The well signed Mount Baldy trail #84 starts at 9200 ft, so you will feel the elevation in your hiking energy level. The trail is in excellent shape for the length of this hike and is easy to follow. The first two miles of this hike are some of the most charming as it follows along the bank of the West Fork of the Little Colorado river. Although the water level is really more like a creek, the proximity to the water and the periodic forest meadows add greatly to the joy of the hike. Butterflies and mountain wildflowers will be your companion on this section of the trail.
The trail starts to leave the side of the creek and becomes shadowed in a deep forest of spruce and fir trees. After about a mile of hiking in this forest, the trail begins a steady climb, including some switchbacks, to a ridgeline under the summit. This ridgeline is the highlight of the hike, as when the trees occasionally thin, excellent views open up of the surrounding lakes and mountains.
After hiking along the ridgeline, the trail begins to climb again as the forest becomes thinner still. After 6.5 miles of hiking, you will reach the junction of the East Fork trail that follows to this point along the East Fork of the Little Colorado river. This junction is signed, but the sign is in pretty bad shape and could be gone soon. Turning right at this junction allows you to continue a little way towards the top. Unfortunately, the trail soon enters Apache Reservation lands so the peak is off limits without a permit from the tribe. The junction from Mt. Baldy Wilderness to Apache Reservation is rather subtle, with a sign hammered to a tree and a yellow boundary marker (pictures below). As Mount Baldy is sacred to the Apache, we make this point the turn around. Please respect the Apache culture and resist the temptation to continue to the peak. Other accounts of this trail report backpacks of trespassers being confiscated... best not to risk it.
After snapping a few pictures, return the way you came.
Alternate hiking possibilities include a loop hike with the East Fork trail, however this would make for a very long day hike.
This hike peaks out at 11,300 ft so the altitude will very likely affect your energy level. At these elevations, it is necessary to drink more water than usual to stay hydrated.
The sign at the start of this trail gives 8 miles to the wilderness boundary, but we believe this is actually 6.5 miles.
Also, keep an eye out for wildlife here. We spotted four nice trophy size elk during our stay in this area.
