The Old Baldy Trail received its name from its proximity to Old Baldy, which was the original name for Mount Wrightson. Because of its proximity to Tucson, the Old Baldy Trail is a popular hiking trail. It’s also the shortest route to the summit of Mount Wrightson.
The trail is 4.2 miles long with an elevation gain of approximately 4,000 feet. The trail begins up an old wagon road on the southeast side of the Roundup Parking Area at the end of the Madera Canyon Road. The trail is interesting as well as very useful because it provides access to a multitude of appealing destinations, such as Baldy Saddle, Mount Wrightson, Josephine Saddle and the Santa Rita Crest. It also can be used to access the Crest, Agua Caliente, Vault Mine, Carrie Nation, Josephine Canyon, Super and Temporal Gulch Trails to complete loop hikes.
The trail begins somewhat uneventfully for the first three-tenths of a mile and then veers sharply left and heads east up a mild grade. After passing a wilderness boundary sign, the trail continues into the long southeast arm of Madera Canyon. You hike approximately a mile up the trail before you come to the first real switchback. The lower section of the trail is never extremely steep; however, it climbs steadily over its entire length and seems to be almost continuously contouring around small drainages and recesses. As the trail approaches Josephine Saddle, the switchbacks become shorter, more abundant and steeper. Josephine Saddle is a convenient stopover for weary hikers needing to catch their breath and eat a snack. The saddle is also a logical place for less adventurous hikers to turn around and head back to their vehicle…