Mount Baldy

Colorado Springs, Colorado (Teller County)

Last Updated: 04/29/2019

4.7 / 5 ( 20 reviews )

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Information

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Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Difficulty:	3-4 (MODERATE )
Length:	6.3 miles
Highest Elevation:	11755 feet
Duration:	About 2 hours
Shape of Trail:	Out & Back
Best Direction to Travel:	N/A
Nearest Town:	Colorado Springs
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Colorado Springs
Official Road Name:	379, 379A
Management Agency:	U.S. Forest Service
District:	Pikes Peak Ranger District

Distance:

Showing 0 trails within 2 miles

Highlights

Mount Baldy (FS 379 and FS 379A) is located within the Pike National Forest approximately 15 miles southwest of Colorado Springs. It is approximately six miles in length, and reaches elevations above 11,000 feet, just within the timberline at the base of Almagre Mountain South. This 4WD road provides a sense of solitude because it is remote and less traveled than other roads in the area. It provides expansive views of the plains, rivaled only by the few iconic peaks in the area. The Pike National Forest contains a myriad of trails which provide a broad spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities. The area is popular among OHV users, mountain bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The trail network includes mild trails suitable for stock vehicles (it is not uncommon to see ordinary passenger sedans and minivans on some trails) in addition to genuine 4WD tracks such as Mount Baldy (FS 379), Eagle Rock (FS 370C), and Saran Wrap (FS 370D) that traverse higher elevations. Accessibility and panoramic mountain views are the greatest attractions to this area.

Video

Weather

7 day forecast for Mount Baldy

Route Information

Advanced Rating System

Recommended Vehicle:

Stock SUV with High Clearance and 4 Low

Concerns:

Summary:

The narrow and rocky shelf road at Waypoint 9 is the most difficult obstacle on this road.

Technical Rating: 3-4
(MODERATE )

Typically, more rock or undulated road surface. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 12" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 12" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 24" inches. Tire placement becomes more difficult. Can be steep.

Description

This guide describes the road in three segments. The first third of the road climbs gradually from the trailhead at Old Stage Road/Gold Camp Road and includes a switchback with excellent views of the eastern plains. Surface conditions are dry and very good, having been graded by the USFS sometime after June 18th. Climbing further, entering the middle third, the forest becomes more dense as it continues to climb and travels west. The final third road segment, starting at FS Road 379A, is generally rougher, consisting of 10" to 12" loose rock and gravel. Approaching the end, the road is a narrow ledge that emerges at a boulder field and broad saddle that is suitable for group camping. Overall, this road is mild with occasional rough spots, but nothing beyond the capability of a stock 4WD vehicle.

Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

The trailhead is well marked and easily identified from Old Stage Road/Gold Camp Road. There is sufficient space for 7-10 vehicles to stage at the trailhead for final checks, locking hubs, airing down, etc.

2. Stream Crossing (0.3 mi)

The trail turns left and crosses the stream. The water is shallow. To the left is a site suitable for single-vehicle camping.

3. Intersection FS Road 626 (0.7 mi)

Continue straight past this intersection. FS Road 626 is an ATV and motorcycle connector trail that runs east to FS Road 381, FS Road 370B, and the Wye Campground.

4. Intersection FS Road 379E (1.5 mi)

Continue straight through the large meadow and pass the intersection to (spur) FS Road 379E on your left. The meadow is suitable for large group camping (10+ vehicles) or as a lunch spot for day trips.

5. Intersection FS Roads 701 and 672 (1.8 mi)

Follow FS Road 379 as it curves to the left. Two popular hiking and mountain-biking trails intersect here.

6. Switchback (2.2 mi)

This switchback is on a ridge. From this vantage point, one can see the plains to the eastern horizon, and numerous mountain peaks to the west.

7. Intersection FS Road 370C (3.9 mi)

Approaching the large meadow ahead, you will pass the junction with Eagle Rock/FS Road 370C on the left. Stay straight on FS Road 379.

8. Intersection FS Road 379A (4.5 mi)

Turn right onto FS Road 379A. The trailhead to FS Road 379A is a sharp switchback. Because the forest is dense here, it is not easily visible unless you are watching for it.

9. Rocky Point (5.8 mi)

Continue straight past the rocky point on the shelf road. This point provides exceptional views of the valley and plains below.

10. WP 10 Gate (6.3 mi)

This gate marks the end of public access to FS Road 379A.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 38.740670, -104.956280

Starting Point: Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, from Interstate 25, take exit #140 Tejon Street/Nevada Avenue. Travel south on Nevada Avenue approximately one mile to Lake Avenue. Turn right on Lake Avenue, passing straight through two round-abouts, and arrive at the third round-about directly in front of the historic Broadmoor Hotel. Turn left onto Pourtales Road for approximately one-quarter mile, then right onto Mirada Road for one-half a mile. At the intersection with Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard, turn right and proceed across Penrose Boulevard (4-way stop). At this point, Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard becomes Old Stage Road, and soon turns from pavement to graded dirt road. Old Stage Road twists and winds up the mountain through adjoining private property and National Forest lands providing spectacular overlooks of the city below. The Mount Baldy trailhead marker (Forest Service Road 379) is approximately 12 miles ahead.

Camping

Dispersed

Dispersed camping is permitted within the Pike National Forest at undeveloped sites along the trail including Mount Baldy and all connecting roads. On this particular road, sites near Waypoints 2, 4, and 10 are suggested. Users should be aware that there are numerous private properties within the area adjacent to public lands. The private properties are usually, but not always, fenced and signed as private. Use the Motor Vehicle User Map (MVUM), available from the Pikes Peak Ranger District, to help distinguish between public and private land. Please respect other trail users--pack it in/pack it out. Some sites within the National Forest are heavily littered due to inconsiderate users.

Trail Reviews (29)

Author:	Paul Sharpe
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	11/14/2020
Rating:

Nice moderate trail and recommend for beginners that want to try a few new challenges. Mostly driving through a wooded area.

Author:	Kyle A Turner
Status:	Partially Open
Offroaded on:	11/14/2020

Trail is smooth and enjoyable but once you get to the tree line, snow and ice will prevent most from going further. We stopped halfway between way points 8 and 9. Beautiful views of Colorado Springs from there.

Author:	Dante
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	11/08/2020
Rating:

Couldn’t make it to the top. The trail was impassable about waypoint 9 due to downed trees.

Author:	Craig Rauwolf
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	11/01/2020
Rating:

Loved the view from the top. Trail really tests you after waypoint 8. Up until then it's pretty easy going.

Author:	Stephen Clark
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	09/06/2020
Rating:

Ran about half of this trail on Labor Day Weekend in a bone-stock 2017 Raptor. Overall, not a bad trail for a first-timer, but as others have said, there's some washed-out areas between checkpoints 6 and 7 which were a bit challenging to deal with. We bumped the front skid plate immediately after checkpoint 6 where it's gotten pretty washed out on the way up. We stopped at 8 to hike up past checkpoint 10 to the summit and back, which was about a 3 hour round-trip, give or take. Coming back down, the washed out areas about 200m up the trail from the hairpin at 6 proved to be slightly more challenging than it was on the way up and felt somewhat tippy, but nothing unmanageable. Some other trail users had left some logs in the deepest rut which can help adjust the line. Overall, good newbie-friendly trail! Would probably be simpler in a vehicle not quite as wide as a Raptor, but this was also my first time running a trail anything like this.

Author:	Joseph Quinn
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	08/05/2020

Great fun. Took the trip in a stock 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with no problems. The trail gets rocky in some areas but easily passable for most 4x4 with good ground clearance. The last stretch at the top got tricky as the trail had not been maintained and was very rocky. That section is very narrow with a steep fall off on one side. One of my favorite trails.

Author:	David
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/27/2020
Rating:

One of my go to favorite trails easy enough not to worry but if you want to change up your line you can have a plenty big challenge especially if you take the scenic rout out not listed on this page that dumps you at bull park and since that's where I started I ran baldy backwards

Author:	Matthew Stein
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/10/2020
Rating:

This road is mostly a great entry-level road for decent stock or modified 4WD vehicles. My almost stock '17 4Runner limited handles this just fine (TRD wheels with Duratrac tires, aftermarket y-pipe to raise the center clearance). If the road is very dry, you will notice a LOT of sinking and slipping in the very loose gravel. Keep your wits about you and don't gun it. The only major obstacle before waypoint 8 (the "official" 4WD trailhead) is actually between waypoints 6 and 7. There is a very large washed out section of the road with 2 to 3 foot vertical deflections. Bring a shovel or a pickaxe just in case. After waypoint 8, the road continues much as before, but then suddenly becomes very rocky. There are large rockslide areas and significant blockage (at least there was in early July 2020). You may or may not make it to the gate. I stopped at waypoint 8 and walked to the summit of Almagre Mtn.

Author:	CLINT TAYLOR
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/06/2020
Rating:

I really enjoyed this trail. There are a couple of rougher areas that will definitely keep the Corollas away. We passed a handful of stock SUVs and trucks that didn't seem to be having any issues (Cherokee, Silverado etc.). Weather was absolutely perfect while we were there even though we caught a little bit of softer hail toward the top. Perfect for entry level guys like myself.

Author:	Ed Helmuth
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/07/2020
Rating:

Nice trail on a bluebird day!! Very diverse and a little of everything (rock climbs, mud, parks, washouts, and forest). Did in reverse by coming in off of FR376 to FR379 on north west end and then took FR379A to Mt Baldy/Almagre and then down 379. NW end of 379 is much more difficult and part of Eagle Rock

Author:	Zack Mace
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/07/2020
Rating:

Fun little drive, at way point 9 there is slightly a difficult obstacle requiring some good tire placement and possibly a spotter of you are newer at off-roading. Definitely will flex out a stock rig. High clearance is a must for just this one obstacle. Beautiful view over Colorado Springs.

Author:	Jacob Adkisson
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/06/2020
Rating:

Mount Baldy is one of my favorites down in the Colorado Springs area - we lead a group from 4-Players of Colorado with varying skill levels and all did just fine. There is some good camping opportunities in this area and it connects to a few other trails (Eagle Rock / Saran Wrap) that can be more challenging. When coming down, we took the north side out which is part of Eagle Rock (the easier side) back FSR 376. Be sure to check out both Part 1 and Part 2 videos!

Author:	Peyton Lange
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	05/30/2020
Rating:

Trail has reduced difficulty when compared to last year. Very fun trail and awesome views. Even made some snowmen with the daughter. Lots of traffic on this popular trail.

Author:	Nathaniel David Mesa
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	05/20/2020
Rating:

Extremely fun for a true first time trail, a lot rocky than the video above showed. 15’ Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

Author:	Kyle A Turner
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	05/16/2020
Rating:

A little rough at times after turn on 379. High clearance is needed after the hairpin on 379A and towards the top. Totally worth it.

Author:	Arthur Avery
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/05/2019
Rating:

No snow on the route, open and easily traversable to the gate. Stream crossing at about 4 inches. (Rained after we left, may have risen.) Extremely scenic views, and a challenging trail still passable by most stock 4x4s. (Nissan Frontier PRO-4X)

Author:	matt
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/17/2019
Rating:

Great trail, was open all the way to the top on 6/17/19. Has a little bit of everything from a small creek water crossing, to pretty tight trail close to the top with a big drop off. Great views along the way.

Author:	Connor Hari
Status:	Partially Open
Offroaded on:	05/28/2019
Rating:

Open until a half mile from the top. Snow partially covering path forced us to turn around. 05 Nissan Frontier on 31 inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs.

Author:	Greg Stokes Official Crew
Status:	Partially Open
Offroaded on:	04/29/2019
Rating:

Trail is open and in good condition up to waypoint 5. Past that there is a substantial ammount of snow on the trail. I was able to get up to waypoint 6 but the snow gets impassable about 200 yards past waypoint 6. I wouldn't recommend travel past waypoint 5 for a few weeks until the snow melts a bit more. There is one off camber spot that slid a vehicle towards the edge before waypoint 6. Requiring recovery to prevent an accident.

Author:	Bryan
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/02/2018
Rating:

Easily one of my favorites. Great views, pull offs, not too challenging. Even wide enough to pass a Cherokee and a Grand Cherokee on the trail

Author:	Christopher Tekavec
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/26/2018
Rating:

Great trail! We had a stock Subaru Forester, a stock Subaru Crostrek and a 2" lifted Subaru Forester, all three made it to the top. The views are absolutely amazing however the top part is very rocky. I wouldn't recommend trying this if you drive a manual Subaru, however most off-road worthy vehicles should be able to make the trip.

Author:	Larry Webster
Status:	Not Reported
Offroaded on:	06/16/2018
Rating:

I ran this trail over to the intersection with Eagle Rock and then ran eagle rock over to the trail exit. it's a nice trail with some great views along the way. The back section of eagle rock is a bit challenging, and I used my lockers in the rocky uphill section but otherwise was it was pretty standard stuff.

Author:	Nic
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	02/25/2018

The small stream at the beginning of the trail has rutted out and created quite a dip, saw some people turn around, I got through in an XJ with a budget lift and 29" tires though so it's definitely passable. Smooth sailing until I got to the last about quarter mile of the trail, the snow had blown over any previous tracks in the trail and my mall crawlers just couldn't get any traction. Had to back down quite a bit since theirs no room for turnaround.

Author:	Greg Stokes Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	01/14/2018

Wow! I don't believe we made it all the way to the top in January. We began out trip just to see how far we could safely get, no anticipating finishing the trail. The snow in the trees above 10k feet is only about 2 inches deep. The last shelf portion of the trail only has the occasional drift in the low spots. No issues to get to the top and the hike up to Stratton Reservoir was clear sailing and about 35 degrees.

Author:	JD Marshall Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	08/20/2017

What a day on Baldy. We got chased by a storm and almost hit by a Subaru trying to gun it up the trail. Know your vehicle limits and follow trail etiquette, there's already one Jeep in a canyon there. We've made sure the forest service knows it's there.

Author:	Jeff
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	07/08/2017

25in to the rocker on a lifted TJ rubicon. 4 wheel hi 1st gear no lockers in all the way up the A trail. I would not recommend stock vehicles on this trail due to the sharp drop off with any mistake. There is already one jeep that drove off the cliff in the tight section still down there. Pay attention for vehicles coming down the hill there are only 2 good spots to pass, otherwise its pretty sketchy if you have to make a move. Good fun, was pouring rain on the way down so it made for a tense 10 minute descent out of the tight stuff.

Author:	JD Marshall Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	06/24/2017

Blady is open all the way. Plenty of traffic for a Saturday.

Author:	JD Marshall Official Crew
Status:	Partially Open
Offroaded on:	05/13/2017

Went up Baldy just a couple of miles before turning back. There were plenty of vehicles going past us.

Author:	JD Marshall Official Crew
Status:	Open
Offroaded on:	03/05/2017

Trail was open and clear for much of the first part but as soon as the trees narrow after the walking trail entrance the snow gets deeper. It looks like some have passed through there but we stopped at 10600 and backed up when tires started slipping.

Questions & Answers (1)

Q: Don't you need to turn right onto 379A at Waypoint 8? The directions say to stay straight on 379.

–Bill Andrews (05/05/2019)

A: Thanks for the correction! Adjusted text to say "Turn right onto FS Road 379A".

–Tracy Barker (05/08/2019)

Writer Information

Tracy Barker

Mapping Crew - Colorado

Tracy is an outdoor enthusiast originally from north Alabama. His family moved to central Utah when Tracy was a child, and subsequently to southern Utah, where he fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. His favorite activities are family trail rides and camping with small groups. He started many years ago in his dad's F-150 pickup truck, and subsequently his own 4x4 acquisition, a 1975 Ford Bronco (in 1991).

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