Round Trip Distance: 7.5 miles
Summit Elevation: 4623 feet
Starting Elevation: 1550 feet
Elevation Gain: 3073 feet

At 4623 feet, Bald Mountain is one of the lower mountains accessible from the Mountain Loop Highway. On the plus side, it's proximity to Long Mountain, Liberty Mountain, Big Bear, Three Fingers, Whitehorse, and Devil's Peak make it a very scenic destination. Don't confuse this peak with the other Bald Mountain of the cutthroat lakes trail.

The Standard Route follows Deer Creek road to the base of north east ridge of Bald Mountain. Deer Creek road is gated and reserved for non motorized sports. During the winter it makes a wonderful snowshoe destination with low avalanche danger. Nearby Kelcema Lake is a very popular winter destination. During the summer if the road is gated, it might be preferable to tackle the shallow incline of Deer Creek road with mountain bikes. If it is not gated, you might be able to drive all the way to the NE ridge. Two thirds of a mile in from the highway, you will come to a T intersection in the road. Turn left here. The right fork would lead up onto Devil's Peak. Follow Deer Creek road for another 2 miles to where it makes a switchback. At this point you will be inside the basin and there are views of Long Mountain, Devil's Peak, and your destination, Bald Mountain.

From the switchback follow the road for another half mile. Ascend the slope to the west by leaving the road. There is no trail from this point. After another third of a mile the slope will narrow into a pleasant ridge top. Stay on top of the ridge as it turns to the southwest. Views to the North begin to open up and you might recognize ultra-prominent Three Fingers and it's neighbors. From here it is another third of a mile to the summit. The last hundred feet to the summit follows a narrowing rocky ridge with exposure on either side. Watch out for loose rocks. When this is covered in snow it might also be advisable to use ropes and other protection. The right (north) side drops steeply to Kelcema Lake, the left (south) side drops into an impressive large basin of slabby granite. When the ridge steepens, it may be easier to traverse left on ledges high above the slabby basin. Expect some steep scrambling (class 2-3).

Big Bear, Three Fingers, Bullen, and Whitehorse Seen From Bald Mountain February 2009

Getting There

Devil's Peak on the approach to Bald Mountain

From Granite Falls follow the Mountain Loop Highway east 23.5 miles to Deer Creek Park.

Getting there from the south on I-5:
In Everett, exit east onto US-2 via exit #194. Continue on US-2 for 2.2 miles (long elevated highway) until you arrive at WA-204, merge onto 204 going east toward Lake Stevens. Continue on 204 for 2.6 mi. until you arrive at Hwy 9. Turn left (North), onto highway 9, and travel 1.7 miles until you get to Hwy 92, and turn right (east) onto Hwy 92 (a.k.a. Granite Falls Highway). Continue on Hwy 92 for about 8 miles when you will arrive at Granite Falls. From Granite Falls, you will turn left onto Mountain Loop Highway at the major intersection at the other end of town. Drive Mountain Loop Highway for 23.5 miles to Deer Creek Road #4052.

Getting there from the north on I-5:
Drive I-5 south to WA-531 and exit east on exit #206 toward Lakewood / Smokey PT. Continue for 3.5 mi. to Hwy 9 and turn right (south) on Hwy 9. Drive for 5.5 mi. to Getchell Rd. / 84th St. NE. Turn left (east) here and continue 4.6 mi. to Granite Falls Highway / Hwy 92. Turn left here and the remainder of the trip will be the same as above from Hwy 92.

Road / Weather / Snow Conditions

Current Weather Information
Avalanche Forecasts: North West Avalanche Center
Darrington Ranger District
Verlot Public Service Center Phone Number: (360) 691-7791
Current Road Conditions Report

External Links

The Summit

Josh Lewis's 2009 Trip Report about our experience on Bald

Matt's 2009 Trip Report on the South Ridge Variation

Images



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