Contribute  Loading...
Children Loading... Geography Parents Loading... Mountains & Rocks Mountains & Rocks
| Old Baldy   | 
| Page Type: Mountain/Rock Location: Montana, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 47.85389°N / 112.82315°W Activities: Hiking, Mountaineering, Scrambling Season: Summer Elevation: 9156 ft / 2791 m | Page By: Bob Sihler Created/Edited: Jul 16, 2008 / Oct 24, 2008 Object ID: 421736 Hits: 461 Loading... Page Score: 90.02% - 25 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
 Views from the mountain...  And views of the mountain...
Overview
Twin-summited Old Baldy (the western summit is the higher one) is one of the monarchs of the Sawtooth Range, a subrange of the Rocky Mountain Front, which rises suddenly and dramatically from the western end of the Great Plains in north-central Montana. Set back two ridge systems behind the front line of peaks in the range, the peak is hard to see from roads except from afar, but it is a dominating sight on the skyline when seen from almost any other peak in the area. Lower only than nearby Rocky Mountain, which also happens to be the highpoint of the entire Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and situated on the border of the official wilderness area, Old Baldy provides a commanding view over some of the wildest and most spectacular mountain country in the United States.
Old Baldy, like most other peaks in the Rocky Mountain Front, is a limestone “reef” formed when an upthrust belt of rock pushed over another belt of rock. This creates spectacular ridge systems and escarpments sometimes more than 20 miles long, and it is characteristic of the peaks to present a sheer face on one side and a long, moderately inclined face on the other. This means that although the peaks look technical-only from certain angles, almost every one of them can be climbed by routes that get no harder than Class 3. Old Baldy is no exception. Do not, though, expect a leisurely walk-up, for you most certainly will not get that. Out here, come prepared for scrambling and scree, and wear boots that can take a beating.
Routes Overview
There are two logical routes to use for climbing Old Baldy. The first approaches from the north via Route Creek Pass, and the second approaches from the south via a saddle west of Our Lake. Because I have only climbed one of those two routes but both could make good route pages, I made a route page for the Route Creek Pass route instead of giving a detailed account on this page, thus preserving the opportunity for someone to add a good route page for the Our Lake approach.
But here is a brief overview of the two routes for those not interested in the extended details of an actual route page:
North Ridge via Route Creek Pass-- From the trailhead, the trail climbs 5.5 miles to Route Creek Pass, gaining about 2100’. From the pass, the north ridge and the summit are completely visible, and it is just a matter of getting up on the ridge and reaching the summit, which entails a trip of 1.5-2 miles and an elevation gain of 1900’. With care, climbers will face nothing more difficult than Class 2+ conditions.
South Ridge via Our Lake-- Hike 2.5 miles to Our Lake and then about another mile west to a saddle at 7800’, climbing a total of about 200’. Then scramble north to the peak, going over (and descending, costing you about 650’ each way) Point 8466. I have not climbed this route but have studied it on maps and from the summits of Old Baldy and Point 8789; the route looks no harder than Class 3, but that is no guarantee.
Climbing groups with more than one car can arrange an excellent tour of Old Baldy by ascending one route and descending the other, an outing of about 13 miles. Without a second car, though, climbers face 16 road miles between trailheads.
Getting There
About five miles north of Choteau, look for a west-heading with signs indicating fishing and access to the Teton Pass Winter Sports Area. Take this road. 17 miles along, a road will branch left, cross the river, and become gravel. DO NOT take this road. Instead, stay straight (a sign will say you are on 144); the road will soon turn to gravel (well-maintained and probably passable even to a Corvette), enter the mountains, and take you through some gorgeous mountain scenery that almost no one outside Montana knows is there. The Cave Mountain Recreation Area is about 5.5 miles from the fork. Turn there and follow signs to the Middle Fork Teton (Route Creek Pass) Trailhead.
To reach the Our Lake trailhead, go left at the fork at 17 miles. Drive 10 miles to the road’s end and the trailhead.
Red Tape
You are in bear country and one of the best places in the world to encounter grizzlies. Know proper techniques for food storage, and know how to behave if you encounter any bear. Carrying pepper spray is a good idea, but make sure you have tested it and know how to use it. Above all, don't do anything stupid to or around the bears. Don't become a statistic and/or one of those idiots responsible for yet another dead bear.
Camping and Lodging
There is a campground at Cave Mountain Recreation Area; the fee is $6 per night. There are water pumps there, but I have never stayed there and do not know if they work. Less than a mile from the Our Lake Trailhead is another small Forest Service campground, Mill Falls. You can also backpack in, sleep in your car at the trailhead, or use a dispersed camping site nearby (free, and fewer flies).
You could also stay at a motel in Choteau. It should take you 45-60 minutes to drive from there to the trailhead.
Images
|
|
Bob Marshall Country
