Mount Baldy

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4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Colorado Springs, Colorado (Teller County)
Last Updated: 07/24/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Altitude Category Icon Altitude
Camping Category Icon Camping
Forest Category Icon Forest
Overland Category Icon Overland
Rock Category Icon Rock
Scenic Category Icon Scenic
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.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

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.

Trail Reviews

4.6/5 (50)
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Open
Visited: 09/16/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

I'm not super experienced in real, actual off-roading (previously an outback owner haha), but in a first gen Sequoia with stock street wheels and about a 3 inch lift, it was do-able. I didn't scrape at all, but might have if I did it again. The beginning going up to the overlook is fairly rocky, as is the shelf road (shelf road probably had slightly more rocky stuff). Saw 7 other vehicles that were at the top or had come down already, including what I think was a stock Xterra and stock 4runner. Went out on the back of Eagle Rock which is easier than Almagre itself, but the ending of Eagle Rock out by the reservoirs is quite steep, but not rocky.
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200
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 07/29/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

This offroad trail is always a mix of rocky spots and mild challenges. Pretty views. Greener than normal for this time of year. Definitely can see the effects of how much rain we have received this year. One of my favorite trails when I want to get away from the masses.
Open
Visited: 07/05/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

What an amazing payoff for a trail, we hiked Almagre after parking at the gate, and were way above the clouds on a rainy day in the Springs. Most of the trail was pretty easy as described, but it does seem like the massive rain in June has left ruts and hills a little bigger, but still no big deal. No snow, although was muddy today (it's been raining). I'm a noob, just getting back into this, but have a reasonably capable vehicle. The trail between 8 and 10 was really tough for me, it looked nothing like the pictures or videos, it had huge pileups of rocks that were challenging, I still scraped a tiny bit and I'm running 35"s and needed my lockers going up over the rocks once. I suspect (but again I'm a noob, and maybe just not good enough yet), that there has been some rockslides, the shelf portion was covered in rocks. If someone more skilled goes through, maybe confirm if that's normal, or if there was a small rockslide might be worth noting. If it's truly normal, than wow, I have some practice to do, felt harder than a moderate there. Wish I would have taken more pictures, but was hyper focused and never thought to.
Trail Review: Mount Baldy - Erick Todd
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/03/2023

Trail is passable to the last waypoint. Pass WP8 there is little to no snow that is already tracked through. Exited through the back end of Eagle Rock.
Trail Review: Mount Baldy - Tynan Olonan
Open
Visited: 05/02/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Made it up to waypoint #6 ("Almagre Trail Overlook" on Google Maps), didn't have time to go further. Definitely worth it just for the views from there. Some spots up to that point definitely needed the clearance and abilities of my '21 Grand Cherokee TrailHawk, but nothing to worry about.
Trail Review: Mount Baldy - Paul Williams
Trail Review: Mount Baldy - Paul Williams
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