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13,389 ft · San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Baldy Cinco

Baldy Cinco is a 13,389 ft peak in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado. The standard route is the Baldy Cinco NW Ridge: 16 mi, 4,563 ft of gain, Class 1.

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Baldy Cinco in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Baldy Cinco at a glance

  • Elevation13,389 ft4,080 m
  • RouteBaldy Cinco NW RidgeClass 1
  • Distance16 mi4,563 ft gain
  • Time11 – 13 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSan Juan MountainsColorado

Climbing the Baldy Cinco NW Ridge

Baldy Cinco sits in the San Juan Mountains. The usual ascent is Baldy Cinco NW Ridge, rated Class 1. Plan about 16.9 miles round-trip with roughly 4,563 ft of gain from about 10,900 ft. The trailhead is typically reachable by passenger car. Summer monsoon storms build fast, so start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. Stay on the trail, carry layers for cold wind, and turn around if weather builds. Stats and approach details follow climb13ers.com. Bring layers for cold wind on the summit ridge.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (55–75 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

Quests with Baldy Cinco

Peaks near Baldy Cinco

  1. Baldy no es Cinco

    Baldy no es Cinco

    13,310 ft · 0.7 mi away

  2. UN 13168

    UN 13168

    13,168 ft · 1.3 mi away

  3. San Luis Peak

    San Luis Peak

    14,014 ft · 9.6 mi away

  4. Baldy Alto

    Baldy Alto

    13,703 ft · 10.5 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Baldy Cinco?

Baldy Cinco is 13,389 feet (4,080 m) tall. It is in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado.

How does Baldy Cinco rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,389 feet, Baldy Cinco is the 276th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Baldy Cinco?

The Baldy Cinco NW Ridge is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 16 miles with 4,563 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Baldy Cinco?

Most people take 11 – 13 hours round trip on the Baldy Cinco NW Ridge, covering 16 miles with 4,563 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Baldy Cinco?

The Baldy Cinco NW Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 16 miles with 4,563 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 Cinco?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Baldy Cinco reaches 13,389 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 Cinco?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 11 – 13 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Baldy Cinco?

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 Cinco 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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