technicolorNH - May 28, 2019 8:10 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2019
Not as easy as it once was
The forest fires in the area have denuded the mountains of living trees so expect lots of views, plenty of sun on clear days, and hundreds of dead trees across the trail. I'd estimate there were 200+ just on the 5.5 miles to the top of Whitewater, and someone who signed the trail register at the start said there were 450+ on the way out to Mogollon Baldy further south on the ridge. There has been some maintenance on the trail in the past (clear chainsaw work) and I threw hundreds of branches off the trail myself but some of the tangles are massive and have to be circled around rather than crossed. Until a trail maintenance crew gets up there expect the trip to take longer than it has in the past and use caution in this area on high winds days; the snags are weakened and are at the stage where they will come down in a stiff wind. Four hours and ten minutes up and three hours down. The views to the south from the summit cairn are excellent.
this is a pretty easy hike and the views are only good through opening in the dense cover. However, it is very different from the rest of southern NM, and makes a good hike. The Gila wilderness is whats really cool. It is easy to spend a few days in the Gila without seeing anyone.
cdog - Aug 4, 2011 2:04 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2006
A few months ago I signed up for a silly half marathon called the Pikes Peak Ascent. Now I'm trying to get in shape to complete it. This turned out to be a great training run. Not too steep and a great trail. Car to car was a bit over 2 1/2 hours. Loved the wilderness and the deep forest, it's so much different than most of the rest of NM.
sbkelley - May 26, 2009 12:29 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2009
Crest Trail
Very enjoyable hike through the Gila to the chilly top of Whitewater Baldy. Use trail was easy to follow from Hummingbird Saddle to the summit, and little to no snow. Storms fired up early and chased us off.
technicolorNH - May 28, 2019 8:10 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2019
Not as easy as it once wasThe forest fires in the area have denuded the mountains of living trees so expect lots of views, plenty of sun on clear days, and hundreds of dead trees across the trail. I'd estimate there were 200+ just on the 5.5 miles to the top of Whitewater, and someone who signed the trail register at the start said there were 450+ on the way out to Mogollon Baldy further south on the ridge. There has been some maintenance on the trail in the past (clear chainsaw work) and I threw hundreds of branches off the trail myself but some of the tangles are massive and have to be circled around rather than crossed. Until a trail maintenance crew gets up there expect the trip to take longer than it has in the past and use caution in this area on high winds days; the snags are weakened and are at the stage where they will come down in a stiff wind. Four hours and ten minutes up and three hours down. The views to the south from the summit cairn are excellent.
benwood - Feb 16, 2012 4:05 pm
whitewater baldythis is a pretty easy hike and the views are only good through opening in the dense cover. However, it is very different from the rest of southern NM, and makes a good hike. The Gila wilderness is whats really cool. It is easy to spend a few days in the Gila without seeing anyone.
cdog - Aug 4, 2011 2:04 am Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2006
guys weekendnice hike up WB with my dog Milo.
weeds19 - Jul 9, 2009 11:54 pm Date Climbed: Jul 5, 2009
Training RunA few months ago I signed up for a silly half marathon called the Pikes Peak Ascent. Now I'm trying to get in shape to complete it. This turned out to be a great training run. Not too steep and a great trail. Car to car was a bit over 2 1/2 hours. Loved the wilderness and the deep forest, it's so much different than most of the rest of NM.
sbkelley - May 26, 2009 12:29 pm Date Climbed: May 24, 2009
Crest TrailVery enjoyable hike through the Gila to the chilly top of Whitewater Baldy. Use trail was easy to follow from Hummingbird Saddle to the summit, and little to no snow. Storms fired up early and chased us off.
lizrdboy - Feb 25, 2007 10:50 pm
Hummingbird FlatsWhat a fantastic wilderness area! The Gila deserves a two week hike to truly see it.
surgent - Oct 11, 2006 2:43 pm
Nice fall hikeDrove all the way from Phx, hiked it, then all the way home in one long day - 520 miles r/t. Lovely hike. Mogollon is a neat place!
wbass - Feb 23, 2005 11:16 pm
Route Climbed: Trail 182 (from Bursum) Date Climbed: July 1999Mostly wooded summit, with few views all obscured by clouds in a very wet monsoon year.
streeyyr - Jan 25, 2005 5:53 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 1992
Whitewater BaldyA high mountain in the Gila Wilderness.