OverviewIf you're looking for a medium-size hike in any season, Big Baldy (usually just called "Baldy") is a nice choice. It's the big, obvious lump on the West Face of Timpanogos. It works as a great warm up or work out for more serious ascents, but in Utah terms, it's mild.
Something tells me I should rephrase that. If "steep" to you means you can stand up straight, reach straight out in front of you, and touch the mountain, then Big Baldy is easy.
If "steep" means anything that raises your heartbeat to your target exercise rate at a normal-to-brisk pace, then Big Baldy provides a great workout!
If "steep" means anything a big, red rubber ball would bounce all the way down with one kick, then bring extra water and a cell phone to call Search and Rescue when you have a heart attack half way up!
Getting ThereDrive to the top of Orem's 2000 North or Lindon's 200 South (those are one and the same) and turn left 50' before the road bends south. Turn left up through the really posh homes. Er, castles. Stay on that street which becomes a gravel road and keep left till you reach a gravel parking lot below the Great Blue Gate (cool limestone cliffs). Park.
Follow the trail between the cliffs to a wide meadow just above. Continue upward till about the end of the meadow where you reach another trail - turn left (north). You can also take a shortcut 100' back from there. About 200' later, take the trail that turns back up Dry Canyon (right/east).
The Southwest Ridge begins 200' later and you can follow it to the summit. You can also stay on the trail all the way to the shoulder where Big Baldy connects to Timpanogos Everest Ridge, then follow the ridge to the summit for a milder approach.
The elevation gain is about 3,200' - higher than the average height of the entire United States (2,500'). Images
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