Whitewater Baldy
Whitewater Baldy is the highest point of the Mogollon Mountains and the 3rd highest mountain in Southern New Mexico, after Sierra Blanca Peak and Lincoln County's Lookout Mountain. 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).
| Whitewater Baldy | |
|---|---|
  Whitewater Baldy Location in New Mexico | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,899 ft (3,322 m) NGVD 29[1] |
| Prominence | 3,535 ft (1,077 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | 33°19′25″N 108°38′30″W[2] |
| Geography | |
| Location | Catron County, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Parent range | Mogollon Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Grouse Mountain |
| Geology | |
| Volcanic field | Mogollon-Datil volcanic field |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | trail hike |
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
- "Whitewater Baldy, New Mexico". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- "Whitewater Baldy". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- 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
- "South Baldy". SummitPost.org.