via Red Pine

Approach

Start at the White Pine Trailhead, 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Route Description

Start up the White Pine trail (an old mining road). After nearly a mile, the trail splits with the old road leading up to White Pine, and a more narrow trail leading to Red Pine. Take the split to Red Pine which quickly crosses the stream, then the ridge into Red Pine Canyon. There are fine views here down Little Cottonwood. Continue to Red Pine Lake, passing a split that leads west to tiny Maybird Lakes. From Red Pine Lake, take one of the many faint tracks leading up another 400 feet to the ridge above where the upper Red Pine Lakes sit. From here you'll need to route-find onto the prominent northwest ridge of White Baldy. Once on the ridge, there is some difficult scrambling around blocks and pinnacles, then a steeper (though less difficult) climb to the main summit ridge. Pass the western peak on the left (Little Cottonwood side) by tedious climbing over and around giant boulders and work your way to the true summit.

We downclimbed the north face directly which was steep, but for the most part stable granite blocks. This puts you into the tremendous rock-filled upper bowl of Red Pine...and a truly tedious trek is necessary to get back to the trail around the upper lakes.

Essential Gear

In early summer an ice axe will be necessary on the steep slopes. Once the snow is gone no special equipment is needed.

Miscellaneous Info

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Images

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