DonMartin - May 16, 2011 7:17 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2011
Summit May 12th
Summited last week; May 12th. Much of the snow from my March attempt had melted yet near the very top of Baldy there was a snow/ice field 400-800 yards long at the steepest section; which was abit tricky (traction devices for shoes recommended) but not too bad. I imagine the snow will be gone next 2-3 weeks.
stinkfoot - Apr 16, 2011 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2009
Turned back by wind
Snow obscured trail, wind obscured comfort, dead batteries obscured GPS, knees eventually obscured walking.
Last try was December 21, 2009; spent too much time post-holing through snow and had to turn back. Still snowy this time, but made it... I'll have to try in August sometime.
DonMartin - Apr 15, 2011 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2011
no summit March 18th
Tried on March 18th; determined to make a winter summit. Trail was good up to Puerto Nambe; but as soon as one turned off towards Baldy snow became too deep (2-4 feet) and too soft; to where i was breaking thru every other couple of steps. was expecting a well travelled & packed trail all the way up top but there was only 1 other set of footprints & 1 set of ski tracks from maybe 1-2 weeks earlier. after clothes were fully drenched (didnt have the right gear/clothes for winter ascent either) i turned around up on the saddle; breaking 2-4 feet thru the snow crust nearly every step on the return to Puerto Nambe, where i changed some clothes & had no problems to return to Ski Santa Fe via Windsor.
I think if i had tried 1-2 weeks earlier i could have made it; as the snow was still harder then(colder); but unf. i had the flu. also i would recommend trying it VERY early in the morning this time of year; i went too late that day; it had gotten too hot.
DonMartin - Apr 15, 2011 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Dec 15, 2010
December 15th summit
Summited despite 60-70 mph winds; dark clouds & hail from time to time. Record round-trip time for me ever in 5.5 hours from ski basin parking lot. Windsor Trail was entirely snow covered but not deep nor too slippery yet. Most of Baldy itself was still snow-free at that time; i seem to recall just wearing tennis shoes. But winds were intense; i contemplated giving up several times after nearly getting blown over/off. The next day the seasons first major snow storm dumped a good 2-3 feet up there.
Bezoar Goat - Mar 1, 2011 4:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 1, 2009
panorama
That view is one of the best in the state.
sevenvii - Oct 4, 2010 12:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2010
SF Baldy via the S. Ridge trail
Followed the standard trail to camp at Lake Katherine the night before, then backtracked to the saddle and followed the Class 1+ trail from the saddle to the summit. Only takes about 40 minutes or so from the saddle to summit. Very nice view from the top looking down on Katherine and surrounding peaks.
PaulRomano - Nov 20, 2009 7:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2009
1st 12k+
Beautiful day and a very pleasant hike. This was really my first encounter with high altitude, so the last 600 or so feet seemed particularly difficult, but well worth it.
Dennis Poulin - Oct 13, 2009 1:41 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2009
Lake and Santa Fe
Beautiful day and combined hike with Lake and Pentitents.
Epica - Sep 21, 2009 11:55 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2008
Training for Ecuador
I climbed Santa Fe Baldy 2 weekends in a row, getting ready to climb in Ecuador. First weekend was rainy and super windy on top... 2nd was sunny, but still very windy. It was the highest I could get within 4 hours of Carlsbad (where I lived at the time.)
I grew up going here on vacation from Dallas and this place made me fall in love with the mountains. The lush greenery and cool summer temps contrast nicely with the brown, arid climate of Santa Fe, man I love this hike!
I hiked the trail to the intersection of 254 and 251 with a friend, we camped there for the night, and got rained on all night. The next morning we hiked to the top of Santa Fe Baldy, there were tons of clouds so we didn't get any of the views at the top. Then we hiked back down to the ski basin.
I do this one at least once a year. Great views from the top.
davebobk47 - May 17, 2009 10:32 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2009
via Windsor
Camped at 11K in the meadows the night before. Forecast was for 37 it was more like 27. After thawing out the next day we hit the summit with the dogs came back down broke camp and hiked what seemed like forever to the car. Overall a great area.
strudolyubov - Jan 24, 2009 9:21 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2009
Winter climb via Winsor Trail
Winter climb from Santa Fe Ski Area TH. One of my local favorites: did it dozens of times in all seasons. Nice hike: great weather, great views of Pecos and Jemez Mountains!
Boriss Andean - Nov 17, 2008 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2008
Route Climbed: Windsor Trail.
Started at 11:00 am. Back to the car at 3:30 pm. Nice views from the top (3,847 m/12,622 ft). The trail was fully covered by snow up to Santa Fe Baldy foothills. Total Round Trip time 4 hours 30 minutes. I loved being up there!!
Winter ascent in 2000 (?). A big storm of the day prior dumped about 2 feet of fresh powder for us to break through. Gorgeous ! No tracks in front of us, just virgin powder. Tiring though.
canichol - Sep 28, 2008 2:36 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2008
Windsor Trail
Got a late start and had to hustle to the top by 11:30am and off quickly to avoid the thunderstorm. Took our time once back in the forest.
DonMartin - May 16, 2011 7:17 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2011
Summit May 12thSummited last week; May 12th. Much of the snow from my March attempt had melted yet near the very top of Baldy there was a snow/ice field 400-800 yards long at the steepest section; which was abit tricky (traction devices for shoes recommended) but not too bad. I imagine the snow will be gone next 2-3 weeks.
stinkfoot - Apr 16, 2011 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Dec 21, 2009
Turned back by windSnow obscured trail, wind obscured comfort, dead batteries obscured GPS, knees eventually obscured walking.
Didn't summit, but sure learned a lot...
stinkfoot - Apr 16, 2011 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Apr 15, 2011
Made it on the second tryLast try was December 21, 2009; spent too much time post-holing through snow and had to turn back. Still snowy this time, but made it... I'll have to try in August sometime.
DonMartin - Apr 15, 2011 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 2011
no summit March 18thTried on March 18th; determined to make a winter summit. Trail was good up to Puerto Nambe; but as soon as one turned off towards Baldy snow became too deep (2-4 feet) and too soft; to where i was breaking thru every other couple of steps. was expecting a well travelled & packed trail all the way up top but there was only 1 other set of footprints & 1 set of ski tracks from maybe 1-2 weeks earlier. after clothes were fully drenched (didnt have the right gear/clothes for winter ascent either) i turned around up on the saddle; breaking 2-4 feet thru the snow crust nearly every step on the return to Puerto Nambe, where i changed some clothes & had no problems to return to Ski Santa Fe via Windsor.
I think if i had tried 1-2 weeks earlier i could have made it; as the snow was still harder then(colder); but unf. i had the flu. also i would recommend trying it VERY early in the morning this time of year; i went too late that day; it had gotten too hot.
DonMartin - Apr 15, 2011 2:39 pm Date Climbed: Dec 15, 2010
December 15th summitSummited despite 60-70 mph winds; dark clouds & hail from time to time. Record round-trip time for me ever in 5.5 hours from ski basin parking lot. Windsor Trail was entirely snow covered but not deep nor too slippery yet. Most of Baldy itself was still snow-free at that time; i seem to recall just wearing tennis shoes. But winds were intense; i contemplated giving up several times after nearly getting blown over/off. The next day the seasons first major snow storm dumped a good 2-3 feet up there.
Bezoar Goat - Mar 1, 2011 4:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 1, 2009
panoramaThat view is one of the best in the state.
sevenvii - Oct 4, 2010 12:46 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2010
SF Baldy via the S. Ridge trailFollowed the standard trail to camp at Lake Katherine the night before, then backtracked to the saddle and followed the Class 1+ trail from the saddle to the summit. Only takes about 40 minutes or so from the saddle to summit. Very nice view from the top looking down on Katherine and surrounding peaks.
PaulRomano - Nov 20, 2009 7:10 pm Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2009
1st 12k+Beautiful day and a very pleasant hike. This was really my first encounter with high altitude, so the last 600 or so feet seemed particularly difficult, but well worth it.
Dennis Poulin - Oct 13, 2009 1:41 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2009
Lake and Santa FeBeautiful day and combined hike with Lake and Pentitents.
Epica - Sep 21, 2009 11:55 pm Date Climbed: Oct 11, 2008
Training for EcuadorI climbed Santa Fe Baldy 2 weekends in a row, getting ready to climb in Ecuador. First weekend was rainy and super windy on top... 2nd was sunny, but still very windy. It was the highest I could get within 4 hours of Carlsbad (where I lived at the time.)
vyzer - Aug 30, 2009 6:18 pm
Best placesI grew up going here on vacation from Dallas and this place made me fall in love with the mountains. The lush greenery and cool summer temps contrast nicely with the brown, arid climate of Santa Fe, man I love this hike!
pyerger - Jul 30, 2009 2:58 pm
santa feNice training climb. Skied it one spring.
asaking11 - Jul 22, 2009 9:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2009
Winsor trailI hiked the trail to the intersection of 254 and 251 with a friend, we camped there for the night, and got rained on all night. The next morning we hiked to the top of Santa Fe Baldy, there were tons of clouds so we didn't get any of the views at the top. Then we hiked back down to the ski basin.
Liba Kopeckova - Jul 8, 2009 9:01 pm
nice day hikeI do this one at least once a year. Great views from the top.
davebobk47 - May 17, 2009 10:32 pm Date Climbed: May 17, 2009
via WindsorCamped at 11K in the meadows the night before. Forecast was for 37 it was more like 27. After thawing out the next day we hit the summit with the dogs came back down broke camp and hiked what seemed like forever to the car. Overall a great area.
strudolyubov - Jan 24, 2009 9:21 pm Date Climbed: Jan 11, 2009
Winter climb via Winsor TrailWinter climb from Santa Fe Ski Area TH. One of my local favorites: did it dozens of times in all seasons. Nice hike: great weather, great views of Pecos and Jemez Mountains!
Boriss Andean - Nov 17, 2008 10:13 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2008
Route Climbed: Windsor Trail.Started at 11:00 am. Back to the car at 3:30 pm. Nice views from the top (3,847 m/12,622 ft). The trail was fully covered by snow up to Santa Fe Baldy foothills. Total Round Trip time 4 hours 30 minutes. I loved being up there!!
goofball - Oct 13, 2008 10:47 pm
Windsor TrailWinter ascent in 2000 (?). A big storm of the day prior dumped about 2 feet of fresh powder for us to break through. Gorgeous ! No tracks in front of us, just virgin powder. Tiring though.
canichol - Sep 28, 2008 2:36 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2008
Windsor TrailGot a late start and had to hustle to the top by 11:30am and off quickly to avoid the thunderstorm. Took our time once back in the forest.
seano - Sep 5, 2008 7:38 pm
Long agoMany times -- it's a great dayhike, and the view of Lake Catherine is spectacular.