HikeArizona.COM

Hello! I live down in Tucson and I want to make it up to this hike. Is there camping near by? What is the best town to stay in to make getting to this trail-head in the early morning easy? Thanks guys

The trailhead is closest to Eagar, Springerville and Pinetop. Eagar has a Best Western. Springerville has a lot of motels, as does Pinetop.

Most people who camp before hiking it go to Winn Campground, not far from either of the two Baldy trailheads, East and West.

Agree with azbackpacker, set up base camp at Winn Campground.

Big Lake isn't that far either for camping. They even have showers for a few bucks if you wanted to hit one. Of course you could just jump in the creek! Thompson Trail is close by too for an easy 6 mile out and back hike.

@Tortoise Hiker
Is the water warm in the creek?

Winn campground also has showers but no electric.

Big Lake is nice but its popular with RV'ers. Generator noise seems to be the norm at Big Lake from 6AM to 9PM or 10 PM. I like using the Gaballon CG near the E. Baldy TH its small and only has a vault toilet but is quiet.

Widowmaker wrote:@Tortoise Hiker
Is the water warm in the creek?

I swam in the creek one time, just to say I'd done it, along the Thompson Trail. It was amazingly cold.

Yep, it's cold.