Mount Wrightson and Mount Ian - 4.18.2017
Mt. Wrightson is the highest point (9453') in the Santa Rita Mountains... we parked (5400') at the trailhead for the Old Baldy Trail... there is a longer Super Trail that goes to the summit from this same parking area... so make sure you take the correct trail.
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The Old Baldy Trail begins by using a dirt road for the first quarter mile.
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After hiking the dirt road for a quarter mile we leave the road and head for Josephine Saddle.
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Peek-a-boo views of Mount Wrightson as we head for Josephine Saddle.
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Arriving at Josephine Saddle (7080') after hiking 2.5 miles... heading for Baldy Saddle.
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Leaving Josephine Saddle and heading for Baldy Saddle and Mt. Wrightson.
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Broader views as we gain elevation on the way to Baldy Saddle... looking down Madera Canyon to the community of Green Valley.
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Gaining elevation toward Baldy Saddle and looking back at Mt. Hopkins... home of the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory which sits on the top.
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Still gaining elevation toward Baldy Saddle... looking at part of the ridge on the north side of Mt. Wrightson.
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The Old Baldy Trail is actually a nice trail... don't listen to any of the negative comments.
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Passing by Bellows Spring on the way to Baldy Saddle.
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Still working our way up to Baldy Saddle on nicely graded switchbacks.
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Nearing Baldy Saddle and looking west to Mount Hopkins.
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Baldy Saddle (8780')... after hiking 1.8 miles from Josephine Saddle... only a mile remains to reach the Wrightson summit.
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Mt. Wrightson from Baldy Saddle.
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Looking south from Baldy Saddle... Mexico is ~50 miles away.
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Heading for Mt. Wrightson... looking back across Baldy Saddle to Mount Ian on the ridge.
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Nicely graded switchbacks... looking across Baldy Saddle and Madera Canyon to the community of Green Valley.
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Continuing on nicely graded switchbacks... looking south toward Mexico here.
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Up and up.
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On the summit (9453') of Mt. Wrightson... looking west to Mt. Hopkins.
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Looking down Madera Canyon to the community of Green Valley... what looks like a reservoir is actually a copper mining operation.
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Looking north from the summit to Mt. Ian... with the Santa Catalina Mountains on the horizon.
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Summit selfie... Elle brings her lunch pail... Rob and I get out of the way.
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When I got back to Baldy Saddle I decided to continue north on Crest Trail #144 in search of Mt. Ian (aka Point 9146).
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On Crest Trail #144... looking south here.
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Looking back across Baldy Saddle to Mt. Wrightson as I continue my search for Mt. Ian.
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I'm not sure which bump out there is Mt. Ian... but I will find it.
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Looking south to Mt. Wrightson from the summit (9146') of Mount Ian.
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Wrightson and Hopkins from the summit of Mount Ian... time to make the half-mile hike back to Baldy Saddle and trace my steps back to the car... the hike was 11 miles roundtrip, gaining 4434 feet of elevation... save a mile of hiking and 400 feet of elevation gain if you only do Wrightson.
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