Backpacker Magazine – May 2008

Top 3 White Mountain Treks

No, not the famously wind-whipped peaks in New Hampshire. Explore some of the country's lesser-known Whites with these accessible spring summits in Arizona, New Mexico, and Alaska.

by: Charlie Wood

White Mountains, AZ | White Mountains, NM| White Mountains, AK

WHITE MOUNTAINS, AZ
Hike the southwest's mildest climate

This eastern Arizona range gets enough snow to merit the name, but it was explorer James White who supplied the moniker for these peaks–which soar 10,000 feet higher than nearby Phoenix and stay 30°F cooler year-round. Starting in May, it's T-shirt time. Park at East Baldy Trailhead and pick up the easy 3.5-mile Crossover Trail. You'll climb southwest along the trout-laden West Branch of the Little Colorado River. Pitch a tent near a big meadow four miles up trail. The next day, climb 2.5 miles to the West Baldy Trail and a saddle 200 feet below Baldy's 11,403-foot cone. The summit itself, on the White Mountain Apache reservation, is off-limits. Then drop six miles down East Baldy Trail to your car. (928) 333-4372

Refuel
Recharge at the Molly Butler Lodge in nearby Greer, where the chefs butcher the prime rib for their "Hot Dang" Chili on site. mollybutlerlodge.com

The Way
From Phoenix, take U.S. 60 east to AZ 260 (156 miles). Turn right on AZ 260, then right on AZ 273 and follow it 10.9 miles to the trailhead.

White Mountains, AZ | White Mountains, NM| White Mountains, AK