Whitewater Baldy

Whitewater Baldy
Whitewater Baldy

Location in New Mexico

Elevation 10,899 ft (3,322 m) NGVD 29[1]
Prominence 3,535 ft (1,077 m)[1]
Location
Location Catron County, New Mexico, U.S.
Range Mogollon Mountains
Coordinates 33°19′25″N 108°38′30″W / 33.323675°N 108.6417248°WCoordinates: 33°19′25″N 108°38′30″W / 33.323675°N 108.6417248°W[2]
Topo map USGS Grouse Mountain
Geology
Volcanic field Mogollon-Datil volcanic field
Climbing
Easiest route trail hike

Whitewater Baldy is the highest point of the Mogollon Mountains and the second highest mountain in Southern New Mexico, after Sierra Blanca Peak. It is located in Catron County in the Gila Wilderness, part of the Gila National Forest. It lies about 15 miles (24 km) east of the town of Glenwood (on U.S. Route 180).

Like all of the surrounding mountains, Whitewater Baldy is part of the Mogollon-Datil volcanic field, and consists of volcanic materials formed between forty and twenty-five million years ago.[3] It is drained on the west side by Whitewater Creek, and on the east by Iron Creek.

Despite its name, Whitewater Baldy is forested up to its summit. It can be accessed by trail from the west along the Crest Trail (Forest Trail 182).[4] It can also be accessed from the east side of the Gila Wilderness.

The area was severely impacted by the Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire in 2012.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Whitewater Baldy, New Mexico". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  2. "Whitewater Baldy". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  3. Butterfield, Mike, and Greene, Peter, Mike Butterfield's Guide to the Mountains of New Mexico, New Mexico Magazine Press, 2006, ISBN 978-0-937206-88-1
  4. "South Baldy". SummitPost.org.