Written: April 8, 2022

Trip report, Baldy Grand Tour, March 17, 2022

Josephine Peak from the "super trail"
This is a great hike for someone who has been to the summit of Mt. Wrightson plenty of times and is itching for something different. It is probably most enjoyable in cooler weather, but since the sunny parts are at higher elevation is is probably possible any time of the year.

The idea is simple. Hike the "Old Baldy" trail to Baldy Saddle and return via the Super trail. Visiting the summit of Wrightson would only add 1.8 miles, so it is definitely not out of the question, but I opted to skip the visit.

I jumped into my car in Tucson at 9:05 and was shutting the engine off at the trailhead by 10:05 exactly! It is hard to beat being able to drive an hour from your house to a fantastic hiking area. It was a busy place for a Thursday and I don't think I have ever seen so many people on the trail. I talked with many people, and every single one of them was from out of state. I met people from Texas, Massachusetts, upstate New York, Minnesota, Ohio, and British Columbia, and probably from other places I have already forgotten. They were all having a good time, and why shouldn't they be, hiking in fine spring weather in Arizona after a long winter in snowy places.

I got on the trail about 10:20 and was back at my car by 6:30 PM. I would rather pack a headlamp and enjoy a leisurely start than to get up with the chickens.

For once I counted the switchbacks on the way up to Baldy Saddle. By my count there are 35 switchbacks. I have counted before, but promptly forgot the result and did not bother to write it down. Now this vital piece of information is recorded here for posterity.

I always used to turn my nose up at the "Super" trail, preferring the shorter Old Baldy trail. However, the super trail has grown on me. The lower section (below Josephine Saddle) has nice views and the warm sun is nice on a cold day. When summer heat arrives, the Old Baldy trail may be a better choice. Both trails have great views above Josephine Saddle, but I have to say that the views south and east from the super trail are outstanding. In summer heat though, the super trail is pretty much in the sun all of the time as it traverses brush covered slopes. The old baldy trail visits wonderful Bellows Spring. A nice thing about the Super trail is that you can get up a hiking rhythm and just cruise, whereas the old badly trail is too steep and rocky to allow that except in a few places.

Mount Wrightson from Baldy Saddle
Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's hiking pages / tom@mmto.org