Baldy Pass to South Peak of Mt Baldy

October 27, 2015 by Bill Rowe ·

Baldy Ridge

October 2nd 2015

We were not intending to go to Baldy Pass but as the Galatea Trail was closed for a helicopter lift here we are. The weather was wonderful. The hike to the Pass is fairly short about 4 km and apart from the usual washed out river section from 2013 the trail is easy going and not too steep. Once at the pass I did not know where to go as I had not done my homework the night before. There are two option I found out from two other friendly hikers who had Dafferns Kananaskis trail guide. To the south is Midnight Peak, so named after a group of hikers got lost and did not return until midnight. We chose the north or left side route up Baldy Ridge which leads to South Baldy Mountain. The going is on a loose rock trail that leads to the first high point. You can go over or around this peak. The next peak is the Tower. Now had I read Dafferns book I would have known no to be sucked in by the trail that goes right. Yes it is ok and has a bit of exposure but it is way simpler to scramble up the middle. A small tree hides this route on approach. The rest of the way is obvious. At the high point the sight of South Baldy is tempting you on. I left this for another time and just went down the ridge until the drop into the col and returned. After a leisurely lunch in the sun we returned the same way.

Returning the following year on May 4th 2016

Finished the hike/scramble to South Baldy Summit. Added some pictures and re-did the GPS and stats. The unseasonably warm weather continued and had a great trip up with no snow with warm temperatures and sun. Next time a car placed on the highway north of the Baldy parking would allow a descent down between The South and West Peak or a trip over to the North Peak and down.