The approach to Baldy Pass from the north gives a gentler, kinder perspective, on the foothills side of the pass as opposed to the mountain side, and the longer distance makes it a good full-day hike when higher options are not intended.

Foothills aspen on Baldy Pass Trail

The grassy aspen slopes of the foothills add contrast to the sombre green of the subalpine zone above.

Baldy Pass Trail

The trail is wide and gentle, and would make a good cross-country ski trail in a good snow year. There were, however, several recent blowdowns over the trail.

Dramatic clouds play peekaboo

The weather was strange, with mysterious, scudding clouds playing peekaboo with the surrounding mountains. Over lunch at the high point above the pass, we enjoyed the spectacle of clouds totally obscuring the view then briefly revealing the views to the west, but never the east. It cooled from 10 degrees to 7 during the day. The pass is still snow-free, with only a few small patches visible, but the mountains above are white.

Baldy Pass summit group

We were back to the cars by 3:35. Participants: Alastair, Dave, Karen, Catherine, Jeanne, Billy, Dee, Petra, Mary-Lyn and Carl, coordinator and scribe.