Whitewater Baldy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Whitewater Baldy |
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 Whitewater Baldy
Location in New Mexico
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,895 ft (3,321 m) NGVD 29 |
| Prominence | 3,535 ft (1,077 m) |
| 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 |
Whitewater Baldy is a tall mountain in New Mexico, USA. It is the highest point in the Mogollon Mountains. It is also the third highest mountain in Southern New Mexico. Only Sierra Blanca Peak and Lookout Mountain are taller there.
This mountain is found in Catron County. It is part of the huge Gila Wilderness. This wilderness area is inside the Gila National Forest. Whitewater Baldy is about 15 miles (24 km) east of the town of Glenwood.
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Discovering Whitewater Baldy
Whitewater Baldy is a special place in the southwestern United States. It stands out as a major landmark in its region. The mountain offers amazing views and is home to different kinds of plants and animals.
How Whitewater Baldy Formed
Whitewater Baldy is part of a large area called the Mogollon-Datil volcanic field. This means the mountain was created by ancient volcanoes. It is made of volcanic rock that formed a very long time ago. This happened between 40 and 25 million years ago.
Water flows from the mountain in two main directions. On its west side, water drains into Whitewater Creek. On the east side, water flows into Iron Creek. These creeks are important for the local environment.
Exploring the Mountain
Even though its name has "Baldy" in it, Whitewater Baldy is covered with trees all the way to its top. This makes it a green and beautiful place to visit.
You can reach the top of Whitewater Baldy by following trails. One way is from the west side, using the Crest Trail (Forest Trail 182). You can also get to the mountain from the east side of the Gila Wilderness. These trails are popular for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of the area.
The Whitewater-Baldy Fire
In 2012, a very large wildfire happened near the mountain. It was called the Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire. This fire greatly changed the area around Whitewater Baldy. It affected many of the forests and landscapes.
