Big Baldy (Timpanogos)

Mountain/Rock

Big Baldy (Timpanogos)

Page Type: Mountain/Rock

Location: Utah, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 40.36603°N / 111.66573°W

County: Utah

Activities: Hiking

Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Elevation: 8750 ft / 2667 m

Page By: Dean, ShaunR

Created/Edited: Jun 13, 2006 / Apr 8, 2009

Object ID: 200174

Hits: 3700

Page Score: 86.34% - 5 Votes

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Table of Contents

Snow dresses up the mountain in early winter.

Overview

One of the treasures the lucky folks in the Utah Valley area have at their doorstep is this "little" mountain known as Big Baldy.If 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. However, thanks to the rising price of gas, many people are looking for something close to home and can substitute a hike on this mountain to fulfill the need to get a good hike in. Making a loop hike from one trailhead to another trailhead is a good way to get some variety. More on that later on.

You will find that access from the south via the south ridgeline is a great way to get a fairly "steep" workout in. 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!

Storm on Big Baldy

The area around Big Baldy is a good place to get some snowshoeing activity in. Skiers also like to "boot" up and ski back down the gully on the southern side. All of this right on surburbia's doorstep, nice.

Getting There

Two ways to access this mountain are within just a few miles of each other. The Dry Canyon TH and the Battle Creek TH.

First, the Dry Canyon TH directions:

Dry Canyon TH sign

Drive 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. See the route description below.

The Battle Creek TH:
From state street, turn north into the center of the old part of town and look for 200 South. Turn right on this street and go on it all the way up the road, passing Pleasant Grove High School as you do so. The road deadends at the Kiwanis Park which is right at the mouth of the canyon. Park there and head up the road past a locked gate. The road ends in a half mile or so (not exact here) and turns into a trail that continues fairly steeply at times up the canyon.See the route description below.

Camping

Camping? You can camp on the flanks of this mountain but there isn't a need to camp since this is a relatively short dayhike, requiring no more than just a few hours. I have seen people camped up the Dry Canyon trail as there are several spots to put a tent.

There are plenty of motels in the Provo-Orem area if overnight lodging is
desirable and there is a KOA campground in Provo.

Weather

Other tid bits

The Battle Creek trailhead near the Kiwanis camp up 200 south is also a great way to access this peak but it entails a longer hike than going via Dry Canyon. However, it does offer a chance to see a neat waterfall on the way and some of the enticing area that is between where the Battle Creek trail exits onto the Great Western Trail and Big Baldy Saddle.

Snowshoeing in winter? You bet. From the Dry Canyon TH, some great snowshoeing is possible. Moose? They were sighted up there this spring.
All this and more will be added as time allows so check back once in a while to see the updates as they occur.

Routes

DRY CANYON (see getting there above)
Leave the parking area and head up the well marked trail.
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' and the round trip distance is about 5 miles if you go direct up the south ridge. It is a mile longer if you go up to the saddle that lies between Big Baldy and Mt. Timpanogos.

BATTLE CREEK (see getting there above)

Park there (near Kiwanis Park) and head up the road past a locked gate. The road ends in a half mile or so (not exact here) and turns into a trail that continues fairly steeply at times up the canyon. A couple simple foot bridges and a waterfall are part of the scenery and in about 2 1/2 miles you will reach a junction with the Great Western trail. Take a right (south) and head for Baldy Saddle, which is at roughly 8300 feet and is about a mile away.
The trail is good all the way to the saddle and switchbacks several times as it heads up the flank of Big Baldy. I found a shortcut at the 7900 foot level that was a bit more direct but either way will get you to where you want to go. At the pass, you will note a fire ring and a trail sign, 020. Head up the path on 020 and in about a mile (slightly less) and several hundred feet higher, you will find yourself at the summit of Big Baldy. You could continue on past the summit with its small cairn and drop down the south ridge but that will be saved for a loop hike description.
My GPS distance from the Kiwanis Park was 4.80 miles. (Dean)

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