We decided to hike up Mt. Wrightson this weekend. The weather was clear and there was a nice wind. The S. Az. Hiking Club was holding a race to the top, but we had other plans. Our goal was to hike from Madera Cnyn up to Baldy Saddle , .9 mi from the summit, then follow Florida Ridge back down to the bottom.
We knew the hiking club was going to take the short route up (Old Baldy Tr), but we followed the Super Tr instead. It’s a bit longer to the first saddle, then we joined the Old Baldy trail up to Baldy Saddle.

We ran into some of the first folks to summit on the way up. The fast guy had completed the 5 mi, 4000′ climb in 1 hr, 16 min. I think the slower guy did it in 1hr, 29 min. That’s movin’!
We took our time and reached the saddle just as Pete Cowgill and his wife, Judy, were coming down. Pete had just turned 85 and said this was his last race up the mountain. I think he said the same thing several years ago. :-). I hope I’m still able to climb like that when I’m 85.
We headed north on Florida Ridge, taking a few pictures along the way. The total distance for this hike was 13.2 mi, 3000′ gain, 4000′ loss (or thereabouts). Yeah, we finished lower than we started. :-)