Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
West Baldy Trail #94

This trail is rated as moderate and is 14 miles, round trip from the parking lot at Sheeps Crossing. The trail usually sees moderate use but traffic can be heavy from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sometimes snow drifts can block parts of the trail into June.

At the edge of the parking area is the visitor register. From there, the West Baldy Trail heads for the West Fork of the Little Colorado and follows that steadily up for about 2 miles. This part of the trail sees the most people but the crowd thins out as soon as the going gets tough. The trail crosses the West Fork on an old bridge and continues a steady but not hard uphill grade. At a certain point you will leave the stream behind and traverse a series of switchbacks as you head up to the saddle just below Mt. Thomas where this trail meets the East Baldy Trail. The summit of Mt. Baldy is on the Reservation and if you aren't a tribal member, it's off limits. From here you can choose to go back the way you came or go down on the East Baldy Trail. Either way, it's 7 miles down.

This is a wilderness area so no mountain bikes, motorized vehicles or power equipment. Groups are limited to 12 hikers or horseback riders, 6 for camping.

Elevation: 9,000' to 11,200'

Access: The trailhead is off of State Road 273 at Sheeps Crossing.

USGS Maps: 279 NE Mt. Ord, 280 NW Big Lake