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13,034 ft · Front Range, Colorado

Old Baldy

Old Baldy is a 13,034 ft peak in the Front Range, Colorado. The standard route is the Old Baldy West Ridge: 8 mi, 2,900 ft of gain, Class 2.

Plan this climbView Colorado 13ers
Old Baldy in the Front Range, Colorado

Old Baldy at a glance

  • Elevation13,034 ft3,972 m
  • RouteOld Baldy West RidgeClass 2
  • Distance8 mi2,900 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJul – Sep
  • RangeFront RangeColorado

Climbing the Old Baldy West Ridge

Old Baldy sits in the Front Range. The usual ascent is Old Baldy West Ridge, rated Class 2. Plan about 8.3 miles round-trip with roughly 2,900 ft of gain from about 10,140 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 (30–40 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 Old Baldy

Peaks near Old Baldy

  1. North Arapaho Peak

    North Arapaho Peak

    13,513 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Arikaree Peak

    Arikaree Peak

    13,164 ft · 2.1 mi away

  3. Kiowa Peak

    Kiowa Peak

    13,126 ft · 2.2 mi away

  4. Navajo Peak

    Navajo Peak

    13,419 ft · 2.6 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Old Baldy?

Old Baldy is 13,034 feet (3,972 m) tall. It is in the Front Range, Colorado. It is also known as Old Baldy.

How does Old Baldy rank among the Colorado 13ers?

At 13,034 feet, Old Baldy is the 562nd highest of the 582 Colorado 13ers. The highest is Grizzly Peak.

How hard is it to hike Old Baldy?

The Old Baldy West Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 2,900 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Old Baldy?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Old Baldy West Ridge, covering 8 miles with 2,900 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Old Baldy?

The Old Baldy West Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 8 miles with 2,900 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 Old Baldy?

You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Old Baldy reaches 13,034 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 Old Baldy?

Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon.

When is the best time to hike Old 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 Old 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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