With good weather and a good group, we pioneered a “new” Ramblers loop in the Baldy Pass area. This report documents the trip for addition to our data base. Eight Ramblers headed up the Baldy Pass Trail on a cloudy morning. Although this area is not known for flowers, the Indian paintbrush were nice and we passed some lovely calypso. The wind was cold and toques and gloves were appropriate, but by lunch on the peak it was nearly calm and sunny. It got quite nice in the afternoon, with one short sprinkle on the return. We were back to the cars by 3:45.

Two new trips for our data base:
E236—Baldy South Peak—SC5—11 km—maximum elevation 2125m—elevation gain 700m—6 hours
E237—Baldy South and West Peak loop—SC6—11 km—maximum elevation 2125m—elevation gain 825m—6 hours We have a trip to do these two peaks from the north from Mount Baldy, but this adds this loop coming from Baldy Pass to the south.

Baldy west peak hike

The route begins with this limestone ridge, on the north side of the pass. The first small peak or knob is seen here. On the horizon is Moose Mountain, with Jumping Pound Mountain below it. The loop without a side trip to the West Peak of the Baldy massif should be classified as SC5. Although almost all of the route is OT5, there is one unavoidable pitch of SC5 not far from the start. Hikers should avoid the obvious trail which appears to bypass this buttress on the right, as it leads to a very narrow ledge with severe exposure (SC6) and you still have to climb up the wall, now exposed to the long drop below.

Baldy Peak south

The pyramid of the South Peak rises above the ridge. Total difference in elevation not counting dropping down after the knob, is 700 metres. The route is up the ridge and scree slopes. A buttress can be avoided on the left, or scrambled for fun.

Baldy Ridge

The route is OT5 through broken and shattered limestone rocks and scree, with the optional SC5 buttress. Seven of the group of eight bagged this peak.

approach to South Baldy from the south

To do the loop, drop down the scree on the west side, to the col, from which you drop down some more OT5 scree through the dry gully between the ridge and the West Peak. At the bottom, dodge plentiful deadfall and climb a short way through deep moss to the official trail above the main drainage.

view west towards West Baldy

Baldy West Peak, with the snowy ski slopes of Nakiska beyond, is a SC6 side trip. Jim, Damien and Jeannine bagged this peak and signed the ACC register on the summit.

West Baldy ascent

From the ridge the SC6 section starts abruptly, with very steep and rotten rock, complete with “removable handholds.” With care this is a short but exciting scramble to add to the loop.

Mt Baldy West

Some of us were not up to the challenge, preferring less vertiginous terrain, like Kim, here plastered to the rock making her unsteady way down from a very brief attempt.

Participants: Jim, Damian, Jeannine, Kim, Francisco, Barbara, Ron and Carl, coordinator, photographer and scribe.