Mount Baldy OverviewThanks to Snowbird/Alta ski resorts, Mount Baldy is usually closed to backcountry tourers during the mid winter season. Because of this a tour here is better saved for the early or late season when Alta and/or Snowbird are closed. This mountain has a little of every thing. Cliffs, gullies, aprons, bowls, trees, chutes and some excellent couloirs are just some of the types of runs that Mount Baldy has to offer.
 Troy skinning up to Mt Baldy
Getting Up ThereThere are several routes to Mount Baldy.
1. From Snowbird- Head up the Tram or Peruvian Gulch till you reach the obvious ridge that divides Mineral Basin from Peruvian Gulch. When Snowbird is open and Alta is closed is the best time to do Baldy this way. Check with ski patrol on which ridges are closed and which ones are open. More often than not you have to hike up a more out of the way ridge located on the Mineral Basin/Living The Dream side of Baldy if you want to gain the summit.
 Me Boot packing up Mount Baldy.  Ron skinning up Peruvian Gulch enroute to Mount Baldy.  Ron skinning up by Hidden Peak on the way to Mount Baldy
2. From Alta- Start by parking at the lowest parking lot (the Collins lot) and head up Collins Gulch till you hit the top of the Wildcat Chair lift and follow the steep ridge up till you gain the summit.
 My dad hiking up Alta early season.  Troy skinning up Mount Baldy Decent Route DescriptionsThere are several runs that Mount Baldy has to offer..........
1. The Main Chute- The Main Chute on Mount Baldy is usually the line of choice. The chute is wide, steep and is full of snow at just about anytime of year.  Skiing The Main Chute in November  Skiing The Main Chute in late May  Skiing The Main Chute in November
2. The Tiny Chute- A close runner up to the Main Chute is The Tiny Chute. Late in the year this chute is not a Tiny as the name implies. However if you are planning on skiing this early season watch out for the rocks.  Looking down The Tiny Chute. May 09
 Looking up at The Tiny Chute. May 09
3. Living The Dream- When the steeper lines of Mt Baldy are too icy to decend, Living The Dream can make an excellent warm up run. Because of the wideness of the bowl this is the easiest ski decent off of the summit of Mt Baldy.
Living The Dream |
4. Pearls- A known killer on Mount Baldy but a classic none the less.
 2 Skiers at the top of Pearls
5. The Comma Chute- Further down the ridge line that seperates Alta from Snowbird lies a hidden gem. If you hit the "green house" above the Wild Cat chair lift and ski slightly down ridge you should see a sharp rock that turns skiers right. This is the entrance to the Comma Chute. SKIERS BEWARE this is not the only sharp rock around so bewary of sucker chutes. Once your in hit the hanging snow field and then make your way to ridge on your left. Head down till you get forced into the crux. Usually the crux is wide enough for skis but expert skiing skills are a must around here.
The Comma Chute from Mount Superior. |
6. The North West Face- By the time this run is avalible for backcountry skiers it will most likely be melted out or really suncuped. Makes a great back up for the tourers who find themselves too late for the Main Chute/Tiny Chute.
Troy skinning up Mt Baldy near the entrance to the NW Face.  The North West Face in prime backcountry conditions. May 09
Essential GearAvalanche skills, beacon, shovel, partner, probe and common sence. Skis are highly recommended. Images
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Mount Baldy (UT)
