Colony Baldy - Just Hiking

Statistics

Date - 06/29/2024
Elevation - 13,705'
Route - Northeast Ridge
Miles - 12.3
Elevation Gain - 4,793'
ACME Mapper - Link
CalTopo - Link
Partners - Not Applicable

Description

Colony Baldy is a Bi-Centennial Peak and the 142nd tallest mountain in the state of Colorado according to old map elevations. After hiking West Spanish Peak the previous day, I drove up Highway 69 towards Westcliffe, Colorado, and thought I would attempt Colony Baldy the following day. I got to the trailhead relatively late, but organized my gear and simply slept under the stars next to my vehicle.

I slept ok and was hiking at 5:00 am. The first three miles were really flat on the Rainbow Trail, which allows motorized vehicles. If I could do over again, I'd ride four-wheeler from the Horn Creek Trailhead to the junction of the Rainbow Trail and Macy Lakes Trail. Nevertheless, I reached the end of my trail hiking at 6:20 am and began bushwhacking through trees up the northeast ridge of Colony Baldy.

I caught short sections of use trails throughout the morning, and although the mosquitos were terrible, I made good progress to timberline and open hiking. I didn't feel very strong and my hike from the previous afternoon may have been catching up to me. The sky was clear and I had all day to hike, so I simply pressed on despite the slow pace. Colony's northeast ridge is long an relentless. However, the views of Humboldt Peak and the Crestones are really spectacular.

I made the summit at 10:00 am, which was 5 hours after leaving the trailhead. I soaked in the views, hydrated, and had something to eat as I prepared for the 6-mile hike back out. The weather was near perfect and I didn't see another person all day until about a mile from the trailhead on the return back to my vehicle. I got back to the Horn Creek Trailhead at 1:30 pm for an 8 hour and 30 minute car-to-car day. I then drove to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and had dinner with my niece and nephew

Photos