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13,703 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Baldy Alto

Baldy Alto is a 13,703 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Baldy Alto ESE Ridge: 12 mi, 3,310 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Baldy Alto in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Baldy Alto at a glance

  • Elevation13,703 ft4,176 m
  • RouteBaldy Alto ESE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance12 mi3,310 ft gain
  • Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Baldy Alto ESE Ridge

Baldy Alto sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Baldy Alto ESE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 12.2 miles round-trip with roughly 3,310 ft of gain from about 10,480 ft. Expect high clearance for the drive. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Watch for loose rock, route-finding on talus, and brief exposed steps where the terrain steepens. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (35–55 L)
  • Hiking Boots
  • Water
  • Offline Maps
  • Headlamp
  • Satellite Communicator
  • Whistle
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Sun Hat
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Buff
  • Midweight Gloves
  • Trekking Poles
  • GPS Device
  • Power Bank
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Emergency Bivy

What to watch for

  • Storms
  • High altitude
  • Route-finding difficulty

Quests with Baldy Alto

Peaks near Baldy Alto

  1. Stewart Peak

    Stewart Peak

    13,988 ft · 1.2 mi away

  2. San Luis Peak

    San Luis Peak

    14,014 ft · 1.4 mi away

  3. Organ Mtn

    Organ Mtn

    13,808 ft · 1.8 mi away

  4. Phoenix Peak

    Phoenix Peak

    13,904 ft · 5.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Baldy Alto?

Baldy Alto is 13,703 feet (4,176 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Baldy Alto rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,703 feet, Baldy Alto is the 90th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Baldy Alto?

The Baldy Alto ESE Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 12 miles with 3,310 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Baldy Alto?

Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Baldy Alto ESE Ridge, covering 12 miles with 3,310 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Baldy Alto?

The Baldy Alto ESE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 3,310 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

Will you get altitude sickness on Baldy Alto?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Baldy Alto reaches 13,703 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.

What time should you start hiking Baldy Alto?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 10 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Baldy Alto?

The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

Climb Baldy Alto with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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