GC3AQHP Getting Bald on the Solstice!
Type: Traditional | Size: Small | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 12/22/2011 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 33.527 W105° 50.199 | Last updated: 08/30/2019 | Fav points: 0
                         

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I got Bald on the day of the Winter Solstice! Bald Mountain, that is. It’s one of many “Bald Mountains” in Colorado, but this one’s pretty special because of its position. Bald is 10,862 feet tall, and its summit offers remarkable views of surrounding, higher peaks. Hagues Peak, located in Rocky Mountain National Park and the highest of the 255 Ranked Peaks in Larimer County, is stunning when viewed from Bald. Similarly, the highest peak in Jackson County, Clark Peak, shows remarkably from the summit of Bald. In fact, most of the mountains of the Rawah Wilderness rise spectacularly above Bald, as do many of the peaks of the Mummy range in northeastern RMNP.

Getting Bald takes some effort, especially on the Winter Solstice when day length is shortest, snow on the approach to the summit is normally deep, and winds are sometimes raging. Yes, it’s feasible but challenging to reach the cache during winter; however, a summer hike to GZ would normally be more comfortable, much easier, and safer. I’d suggest approaching the peak from the west side, keeping toward its southern end as you get high; a western approach and a final thrust from the southwest avoids the steep terrain that characterizes the mountain from the east, north, and west. It’s a fun hike (and a more difficult snowshoe) through the Neota Wilderness Area. Once you’ve gained the summit appreciate the striking views, find the cache, and sign its treasure–the cache log sheet. If the weather’s nice you are in for a real treat as you get Bald, and its cache.

The boundary of Neota Wilderness runs directly through Bald’s summit. The cache is hidden east of the summit in Roosevelt National Forest, outside of the Wilderness. It’s covered by a small cairn of rocks. The cairn has a few wood branches integrated into it. High winds at the summit typically scour the cache area, keeping it free of snow. You should have no problem in finding the cache. Your real effort for this cache is getting Bald.

This is a backcountry experience, so make certain that you have extra clothing, food, water, and first aid items in your pack. You should have fun with this one!

09/30/2018 By ArkF
Thanks for the nice summit cache. Hiked up from the west side, after finding another cache below. Circled around to the south and then up the surprisingly gentle slope to the top. I had tried to come up here a couple years ago, but tried following a creek, which was more difficult than I liked, and I gave up. I had a better route planned today and it worked fine.

Nice day out, sunny and warmish up here above 10,000 ft, but cold and drizzly in town. Wind was blowing hard once I left the trees. I found the cache, signed it, found the summit log, signed that, then got off the summit and had lunch next to a thick clump of trees. Everything in good condition. Saw lots of elk and/or moose sign, but no actual elk today.

11/12/2016 By icezebra11
Well I didn't wait for the Solstice to go after this cache but I am bald so that's a half match. The weather has been unseasonably warm this fall and today was no different. When I arrived at my parking spot it was about 45° but there was a stiff breeze out of the west. I set off up the snowmobile route until it ended and then angled SW and up the ridge to the edge of the trees. Upon emerging from the trees, Bald's cliffy north face was right in front of me. There was no snow at all on the mountain which made the hike much less of a challenge. I knew I didn't want to go up just yet so I took Denali41's advice and contoured west along the interface of the tree line and the talus base of the mountain. Eventually the steepness to my left eased enough to begin heading up to catch the west ridge. The first few hundred yards were pretty steep and required negotiating some talus and scree but I eventually made it to the ridgetop and from there it was a much more pleasant grade to the summit. I arrived at the summit cairn 1 1/2 hours after leaving my truck. On top the wind was definitely noticeable (maybe 20 mph) but it wasn't enough to make me put my shell on.

I then walked over to GZ and found the small cairn with branches. Upon moving a few rocks, I found this long lonely cache, just waiting to see the light of day again. I signed the log and replaced the container so it's ready for the next adventurous cacher. Took a bunch of photos and then headed back down to my awaiting truck. I didn't have to make the same level of effort as it did with snowshoes but maybe sometime in the future I'll give that a try. Thanks Denali41 for placing this great cache on Bald!!!

01/13/2012 By Silver Trekker
FTF! Well, we got Bald on Friday the 13th!! We toiled up that mountain. Did I say up? With the deep sugary snow, it was one step up and two steps back! Standing on the summit and viewing several of the peaks we have toiled to in the past made the effort worthwhile. Thanx, Denali41, for another awesome mountain cache!

01/11/2012 By Alpine Reviewer
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