Mt. Baldy

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Mount Baldy

Trip No. 123

Elevation

2194m - North summit

2194m - South summit

2188m - West summit

Height Gain

784m - North summit

-99m/+99m to South summit

-128m/+122m to West summit

Distance (one-way)

3.2km to North summit

4.4km to South summit

5.2km to West summit

8.51km for complete loop

Time to Reach Summit

1.5 - 2.5 hours to North summit

Add 0.75 - 1.0 hour to South summit

Add 0.75 - 1.0 hour to West summit

Entire loop 4.0 - 6.0 hours

Degree of Difficulty

2 of 5 to North summit

4 of 5 to South summit

4 of 5 to West summit

Scenery

2 of 5

Date of Most-recent Ascent

June 7, 2003

Download GPS Track

If you're heading up Mt. Baldy, you're not going for the scenery. There are a couple of challenging spots reserved for scramblers, but aside from that you're probably there just for a quick hike and to put your name on a summit register (located at the North summit but absent as of this writing). Mt. Baldy is on my list of early season tune-up hikes. If you're on the trail by 8am, a round trip to just the North summit will likely have you home in time for lunch. Going beyond the North summit is not recommended for beginning scramblers. There is serious down-climbing involved going towards the South summit, and the scrambling up to the West summit requires considerably more technical finesse as well as route-finding skills.

Head south from Highway 1 on Kananaskis Trail and look for a small drainage on the west side of Mt. Baldy 1.6km south of the Barrier Dam parking lot. Park on the side of the road (GPS reference 51d00m27s N, 115d04m22s W) or use a pull-off area a few hundred meters further south (GPS reference 51d00m19s N, 115d04m21s W).

Clamber your way up the steep embankment and in 30 steps or so you come up to a level area. A cairn on your right marks the trailhead. Head left from here up the trail. A cairn further down marks the trail end for the return loop.

The trail is steep in the early going, climbing hastily through sparse forest. In less than an hour you reach tree line and broken slabs. Several trails make their way up. In another 15 minutes you should come to the base of a dome-like ridge (GPS reference 51d00m35s N, 115d03m39s W). Here you'll need to decide whether you want to continue on the ridge route which leads to a semi-exposed 3m down climb (GPS reference 51d00m37N, 115d03m37s W), or to steer right and skirt the base of the ridge. The down climb section degree of difficulty rates 3 of 5. The later option is of course less technical, but you'll also find it more physically demanding due to steep slopes with frustrating scree further on. There are a couple of untidy cairns marking where the trail splits right to bypass the crux.

If you're on the lower route follow the well-worn trail on the south side of the ridge which also avoids the next large slabby obstacle. There is one spot where the trail sneaks through a narrow clef that will require some scrambling. Exercise caution if there is snow around as this spot is mildly exposed. Beyond here the trail narrows and drops a bit before rising to the last clumps of vegetation. The remaining walk up the summit block is as easy as it looks at this point. Keep left as you finish up the last 15m of vertical elevation.

The view at the North summit (GPS reference 51d00m46s N, 115d03m01s W) is mundane. Since you're in the front range, much of the eastern panorama is just foothills and prairies. The entire length of Barrier Lake can be seen to the west. On a good day numerous boats dot the tranquil setting. The peaks across the lake are unnamed. You can pick out the Barrier Lake Lookout hut to the north atop McConnell Ridge. To the northwest, the backside of the Heart Mt. loop can be identified atop a grassy patch. To the southwest, Mt. Lorrette is the highest point above the lake. Further south, the ski runs at Kananaskis can be picked out on the lower slopes of Mt. Allan.

Head southeast along the ridge towards the South summit. Within a few minutes at the end of a level clearing you find yourself looking down ragged cliffs. Turn your attention to the left. On the east side where the last few trees hug the mountainside climb down 8-10m via a series of ledges to the top of a narrow chute. Be very careful when you get to this point as a slip would mean sliding down the chute and off the face of the mountain! Make your way to the right towards tree cover and to rejoin the ridge. A pleasant 25 minute stroll puts you on top of the South summit (GPS reference 51d00m12s N, 115d02m41s W). Take a breather here before continuing. Looking southeast, the ridge drops down to a couple of minor summits and Baldy Pass beyond.

From the South summit walk down broken rubble to the intervening col between the South and West summits. Make note of the first low point - on the right open slopes provide a gentle exit route for the return trip. As you past the last few trees an imposing rock face appear almost impenetrable. Traverse right along steep slopes to where the rock band diminishes. Turn left up a narrow scree-strewn gully. You'll likely want to grab onto solid rock on your right to help pull yourself up, as the angle and rubble pile here make forward progress nearly impossible. At the top of this stretch scramble up and around the left of a large block. You'll end up at a semi-level area in front of a ragged narrow section. Carefully maneuver your way across the 5-10m of loose, semi-exposed rock to the base of the next rock face. Smooth steep rock extend from here up to more vertical rock. Scramble your way up the bare rock for some 6m. Note that while the surface is rough enough to grip your boots, any snow or ice here would make it impassable. Going back down this pitch will also require extra care as there are very few features to step or grab on to. At the face hug the rock as you traverse left. Some 3-4m later you climb through a narrow gap over a boulder. The summit is just above. Turn right and take the easier path which brings you to the top from the north side.

From the West summit (GPS reference 51d00m01s N, 115d03m07s W) you gain a much better view than either the North or South summit. You also get a much better appreciation of the vast expanse of the Mt. Baldy complex. The mountain to the southeast rising above Baldy Pass is unnamed GR380492. Mt. Bryant and Mt. McDougall is directly south. To the west, above the ski runs of Nakiska is Mt. Allan, backdropped by the 4 peaks of Mt. Lougheed. To its left is Sparrowhawk, then Ribbon Pk. Further south, check out the familiar Bart's Head profile of Fortress Mt.

On return, head down to the previously mentioned low point and descend open slopes. You should find a trail lower down where the drainage begins to narrow. By now you've lost most of the elevation. The rest of the way is just a plod for a couple of kilometers back to the parking area.

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