Whitewater Baldy
Encyclopedia
Whitewater Baldy is the highest point of the Mogollon Mountains
in the southwestern part of the US state of New Mexico
. It is also the highest point in the entire southwest portion of New Mexico (south of Interstate 40
and west of the Rio Grande
). It is located in Catron County
in the Gila Wilderness
, part of the Gila National Forest
. It lies about 15 mi (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 Datil-Mogollon Volcanic Plateau, and consists of volcanic
materials formed between forty and twenty-five million years ago. 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). It can also be accessed from the east side of the Gila Wilderness
.
in 1988.
Mogollon Mountains
The Mogollon Mountains or Mogollon Range are a mountain range east of the San Francisco River in Grant and Catron counties of southwestern New Mexico, between the communities of Reserve and Silver City. They extend roughly north-south for about 30 miles , and form part of the divide between the...
in the southwestern part of the US state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. It is also the highest point in the entire southwest portion of New Mexico (south of Interstate 40
Interstate 40
Interstate 40 is the third-longest major east–west Interstate Highway in the United States, after I-90 and I-80. Its western end is at Interstate 15 in Barstow, California; its eastern end is at a concurrency of U.S. Route 117 and North Carolina Highway 132 in Wilmington, North Carolina...
and west of the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
). It is located in Catron County
Catron County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*89.8% White*0.4% Black*2.7% Native American*0.2% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*3.7% Other races*19.0% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
in the Gila Wilderness
Gila Wilderness
Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area on June 3, 1924. Along with Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Blue Range Wilderness, the wilderness is part of New Mexico's Gila National Forest. The wilderness is approximately from north to south and east to west...
, part of the Gila National Forest
Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest is a protected national forest in New Mexico in the southwestern United States established in 1905. It covers approximately 3.3 million acres of public land, making it the sixth largest National Forest in the continental United States...
. It lies about 15 mi (24 km) east of the town of Glenwood
Glenwood, New Mexico
Glenwood is an unincorporated community in Catron County, New Mexico, United States. Founded in 1878 as Bush Ranch, today the town is home to approximately 300 residents. Located near the San Francisco River, Glenwood is 65 miles northwest of Silver City on U.S...
(on U.S. Route 180
U.S. Route 180
U.S. Route 180 is an east–west United States highway. Like many three-digit routes, US 180 no longer meets its "parent", US 80. US 80 was decommissioned west of Mesquite, Texas, and was replaced in Texas by Interstate 20 and Interstate 10. The highway's eastern terminus is in Hudson Oaks,...
).
Like all of the surrounding mountains, Whitewater Baldy is part of the Datil-Mogollon Volcanic Plateau, and consists of volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
materials formed between forty and twenty-five million years ago. It is drained on the west side by Whitewater Creek
Whitewater Creek
Whitewater Creek is a stream in Mesa County, Colorado with elevations that range from to . The traverses from Land's End to Whitewater, Colorado....
, 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). It can also be accessed from the east side of the Gila Wilderness
Gila Wilderness
Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area on June 3, 1924. Along with Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Blue Range Wilderness, the wilderness is part of New Mexico's Gila National Forest. The wilderness is approximately from north to south and east to west...
.
Lookout Cabin
The Mogollon Baldy Lookout Cabin was listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1988.