Bald Mountain (a.k.a. Mount Baldy) | Hike Beautiful Breckenridge Colorado
At it’s base, Breckenridge Colorado sits at an elevation of 9,600 feet (2,926 m) and the 13,690 foot (4,173 m) Bald Mountain, comprises much of its eastern boundary. Rising up just southeast of downtown Breckenridge, it’s one of those simple, beautiful spots that leaves you dreaming about it for years to come. Having moved from Breckenridge to Missoula, Montana just over 6 months ago, I often find myself thinking back to it’s colorful and easily accessible 360 degree views. The Missoula valley makes Breckenridge seem like the top of the world, and Bald Mountain, or Mount Baldy as I’ve often heard it referred to, is a place I go to get away from everyday life and look over everything from above.
Bald Mountain Quick Facts:
- Summit Elevation – 13,684 feet
- Multiple Access Routes
- 156th Highest Peak in Colorado
- Best Hiked June through October
- Front Range, Central Colorado
- Arapahoe National Forest
- Great Views
Bald Mountain is the highest point of the major ridge line visible across the valley to the southeast from the slopes of Breckenridge Ski Resort. In the photo below, taken from Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Peak 9, Bald Mountain is up diagonally just right of the dogs. The ridge line is about 6 miles long, stretching northwest to southeast and rising above 12,000 feet in elevation.
A 12,159 foot saddle divides the ridge line halfway along its length. The northwest section is Bald Mountain and the southeast section is Boreas Mountain (13,082 feet in elevation). When viewed from Breckenridge, Bald Mountain looks like a single point, however, it’s actually a 0.8 mile long stretch with three high points identified by the USGS map.
Northwest to Southeast:
Point 1 – 13,684 feet (the official summit of Bald Mountain)
Point 2 – 13,634 feet
Point 3 – 13,679 feet
Getting there:
Bald Mountain can be reached both from the top of Boreas Pass along the southern ridge line and from the north ridge. We’ve only taken the latter route. Off Main Street, just south of town, head east on Boreas Pass Road (there’s a traffic light). Drive for about 2 miles and turn left onto Baldy Road (County Road 520). After the snowmelt, it’s possible to drive up the road for quite a bit, before having to brave the rest of the way sans vehicle. If I remember correctly, there are some parts that make an all-wheel or 4WD vehicle with some clearance optimal.
We’ve had some great laughs and solid existential moments up here. Last year, when our friend Ryan was driving through Colorado on his way home from a summer of fighting fire and working with plants at Glacier National Park, we did a quick hike up here to show them the beautiful stretch of land we then called home. The following photos, some of them taken by Ryan, are from that visit.
Apparently, more than 27 mountains in Colorado bear the official name of Bald Mountain, however, the 13,684 foot Bald Mountain we speak of is their king. 
