Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SONORAN MOUNTAIN KING SNAKE
The Super Trail continues swinging around the south and southeast sides of
Mount Wrightson. The next section is notable for the thick, scratchy graythorn bushes
encroaching on the trail—you might want to wear long pants. As you climb around to
the east side, you'll see increasingly burned-out areas, remnants of the Florida Fire of
2005. The signed junction with the Gardner Trail is 1.1 miles beyond Riley Saddle.
By this point you're surrounded by a surreal landscape of burned, dead trees.
From this junction it's a 0.8-mile climb to Baldy Saddle. Much of this section has
fallen trees across it, so your ascent is slowed as you make your way around or over
the obstacles. About 0.15 mile before the saddle, you'll pass Baldy Spring, which
used to be a reliable source of water; since the fire, however, the bathtub-sized green
metal basin used for catchment is often dry.
The Super Trail terminates at Baldy Saddle. The familiar metal sign indicates that
Mount Wrightson is 0.9 mile to your left, and you follow the same route as Old Baldy
Trail to the summit. To reach the heart of Baldy Saddle, turn right and walk 100 yards.
The mountain used to be called Old Baldy because of its rocky, treeless summit
but is now named after William Wrightson, a mining surveyor who was killed by
