Our Hike To Bald Mountain Near Nathrop, Ruby Mountain & Sugarloaf Mountain In Chaffee County - December 13, 2008
December 13, 2008 - I will admit this is not much of a mountain,
at least compared to the lofty peaks on the west side of
the Arkansas River Valley.
Bald Mountain (alt. 9,611 feet), located southeast of
Buena Vista and
Johnson
Village and behind (east of) Sugarloaf Mountain in Nathrop,
does not even have an original name. "Bald Mountain" is arguably one of the most common and boring
names ever thought of for a peak. What lack of creativity!
Having said all this, I had a strong desire to stand on the summit of a mountain.
With us locals in the second day of a five day stretch of
snowfall
(according to weather forecasts), Derrick and I thought we would explore an easier peak in Bald Mountain.
We had never been up there and were in the mood to explore.
(It also helped that we could "cheat" by driving up the road as much as we could!)
How To Get There: As always, recommend National Geographic's Trails Illustrated
topographical map (#129 - Buena Vista & Collegiate Peaks). Travel east on Chaffee County Road 300 to
the Ruby Mountain Campground. Pass the Ruby Mountain Trailhead and the road
switchbacks to the left. From this point, a 4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle is recommended. Drive on C.R. 300 all the
way to C.R. 300B and make a left. You can park your car right here and walk
up the road (which loops around the mountain) or continue up C.R. 300B
if you are feeling daring and desire to be closer to the summit. Derrick and I continued and parked at the
fork on C.R. 300B on the mountain's south slope. We walked on the left fork road and
reached the summit via the "bald spot" on the mountain.
All the best,
Steve
Photos of Bald Mountain
Bald Mountain has some prominence among the mountains east of Nathrop.
Notice that area near the top that is without trees. I can only assume it is named Bald Mountain because of this feature.
TOP: Sugarloaf Mountain (left) and
Bald Mountain (right) as seen from Nathrop.
MIDDLE: Another view about one mile north of Nathrop.
BOTTOM: The view of Bald Mountain (left) from Sugarloaf Mountain.
It was approximately 8:30 a.m. during the time of the photo, and I was looking practically directly into the sun.
Traveling up C.R. 300.
The road became really rough on C.R. 300B.
My photos never quite capture how bumpy it is to the naked eye!
We parked at the fork of C.R. 300B, which loops around Bald Mountain.
These were the first two hike pictures I snapped. That second photo was
the grand view looking back as we climbed.
Climbing up the "bald spot" on the mountains eastern slope.
And there we were ... on the summit of Bald Mountain! :)
From the 300B fork, it was only about a 0.5 to 0.7 mile hike.
Looking to the west. Of course, if it had been a clear day,
we would have had amazing views of the Sawatch Mountains.
I really recommend visiting this peak on a clear and sunny morning.
Myself pointing toward Mt. Princeton in the top photo.
Notice the thin diagonal road to the left of the red star ... that is Chaffee County Road 327.
Yes, theChaffee County Road 327 that earned a tribute in a
video clip!
Now notice the second photo (taken two weeks ago). That is the
view from C.R. 327 and one can clearly see Bald Mountain on the left.
The view of Johnson Village and Buena Vista from Bald Mountain.
The easterly view from Bald Mountain.
Derrick talks on the phone. Special
thanks to Derrick for bravely driving his truck up this way and taking me along.
1 - Ruby Mountain
2 - Nathrop, CO
3 - Sugarloaf Mountain
4 - The large southern Sawatch Mountains that include
Mt. Antero, Mt. White, Mt. Shavano and others.
Coming back down the mountain, three extra photos of nearby mountains.
December 13, 2008 - I will admit this is not much of a mountain,
at least compared to the 
