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13,692 ft · Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Colony Baldy

Colony Baldy is a 13,692 ft peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Colony Baldy NE Ridge: 13 mi, 4,600 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Colony Baldy in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado

Colony Baldy at a glance

  • Elevation13,692 ft4,173 m
  • RouteColony Baldy NE RidgeClass 2
  • Distance13 mi4,600 ft gain
  • Time9 – 11 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeSangre de Cristo RangeColorado

Climbing the Colony Baldy NE Ridge

Colony Baldy sits in the Sangre de Cristo Range. The usual ascent is Colony Baldy NE Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 13 miles round-trip with roughly 4,600 ft of gain from about 9,120 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. 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 Colony Baldy

Peaks near Colony Baldy

  1. Humboldt Peak

    Humboldt Peak

    14,064 ft · 1.4 mi away

  2. UN 13,543 (near "Obstruction Peak")

    UN 13,543 (near "Obstruction Peak")

    13,543 ft · 1.7 mi away

  3. Obstruction Peak

    Obstruction Peak

    13,812 ft · 1.9 mi away

  4. Crestone Needle

    Crestone Needle

    14,197 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Colony Baldy?

Colony Baldy is 13,692 feet (4,173 m) tall. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Range, Colorado.

How does Colony Baldy rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,692 feet, Colony Baldy is the 99th highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Colony Baldy?

The Colony Baldy NE Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 13 miles with 4,600 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Colony Baldy?

Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the Colony Baldy NE Ridge, covering 13 miles with 4,600 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.

Can a beginner hike Colony Baldy?

The Colony Baldy NE Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 13 miles with 4,600 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 Colony Baldy?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Colony Baldy reaches 13,692 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 Colony Baldy?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 9 – 11 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.

When is the best time to hike Colony Baldy?

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 Colony Baldy 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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