Waypoints
1. Trailhead (northeast) Bald Mountain FS 300
(0 mi)
Turn into the parking lot where you see the well-marked sign and the information kiosk. Steer left past the information kiosk and proceed south/southwest.
2. Unmarked Road
(0.5 mi)
The unmarked road is a shortcut. Where the main road goes straight then right, this shortcut climbs over exposed bedrock and ties-back to the main road in 300 yards.
3. Unmarked Road
(0.7 mi)
This is where the shortcut returns to the main road. Continue on the main road toward the south/southeast.
4. Mine Spur Intersection
(1.5 mi)
Stay to the left on the main road. The mine spur goes off to the right (west).
5. Intersection Trail 1423
(1.9 mi)
Steer left to proceed on the main road. Trail 1423 is a restricted-use trail.
6. Cattle Guard
(2.8 mi)
Continue straight over the cattle guard. This is the first of several you will encounter. The cattle guards appear to have recently been emplaced (replacing gates).
7. Intersection FS Road 300A
(3.1 mi)
Turn left (south) in the small clearing/staging area at the trailhead of FS Road 300A.
8. Second Cattle Guard
(3.4 mi)
Proceed straight across the cattle guard.
9. Camping Ridge
(3.8 mi)
Continue straight over the camping ridge. This a high-elevation point and there are two-track spurs to both the left and right which take you to campsites with existing fire rings. This site provides a gorgeous view of the Collegiate Peaks on clear weather days.
10. Intersection FS Road 185D
(4.7 mi)
Continue straight past the intersection.
11. Third Cattle Guard
(4.8 mi)
Proceed down the sandy wash across this cattle guard.
12. Bald Mountain Loop FS Road 300B
(5.4 mi)
The main road continues straight, but if you have time (about 1.5 hrs) available, the Bald Mountain Loop is well worth it. The views from atop Bald Mountain are extraordinary.
13. Intersection Trail 1434
(6.1 mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with Trail 1434; like the previous 1400-series trail, this one is a limited-use trail.
14. Intersection FS Road 300C
(6.5 mi)
Continue straight past the intersection with FS Road 300C.
15. USFS Boundary
(7.4 mi)
Proceed straight across the cattle guard where signs indicate you are "Leaving San Isabel National Forest".
16. Panoramic Point
(8.4 mi)
Follow the road as it twists and turns, descending more sharply now. This was the first point to provide a glimpse of the Collegiate Peaks since coming down the camping ridge (WP 9).
17. End Bald Mountain Gulch FS Road 300
(8.8 mi)
Arrive at the parking lot for Brown's Canyon Wilderness Study Area and the Brown's Canyon hiking trail. FS Road 300 continues west from this point as an improved surface road.