Mt Baldy in Yakima Canyon

Drove out to hike up Mt Baldy in Yakima Canyon. View from the parking area at the day use area at Big Pines Campground. It's a short walk along the road to reach the trail. I took the steep trail up and on the return the longer trail down, about 4.5 miles round trip at 1,972 ft of elevation gain. It was a very windy day and I had the trail to myself.

There were some balsamroot in bloom, both arrowleaf balsamroot,

and Hooker's balsamroot. There were lots of small plants of these on the upper section of the trail.

Thompson's paintbrush and the top of Mt Baldy in the distance.

I was excited to see the bitterroot was starting to bloom.

There were many bitterroot still in bud, so this area should be fabulous soon.

View to the north from part way up the trail,

and the view to the south.

After the two lower trails join, it isn't long before reaching the upper steep part of the trail.

The cacti near the top of the trail had blossoms beginning to bloom.

Walking around the towers on top of Mt Baldy, I got some views to the south,

the east,

and the north.

I hiked a ways back down the trail to get a lovely view to the west.

Another view to the west from further down the trail.

A view looking up at Mt Baldy near the top of the longer lower trail.

butterfly on the trail

caterpillar next to the trail

some of the wildflowers along the trail today: