Trip Report
Day Hike - Mount Baldy
We had perfect weather for this 8 mile hike with close to 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
Danielle Graham
- Mon, Sep 17, 2018
- Day Hike - Mount Baldy
- Mount Baldy
- Day Hiking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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The road to the trail head is a little narrow and best for drivers who don't mind a little foliage touching their cars. Besides being very steep in a 1/2 mile section on the Domerie Divide Trail up to Peak 4,942/Para Point, the trail is in good shape with the exceptions of some blow downs (4-5) on the ridge between Para Point and Mount Baldy. The steep section is helped with well-lugged soles and trekking poles for the section down. There is a trail almost all the way to the summit--it stops just shy by 50 feet, but is easy to continue to the summit in soft soil. We did look for the trail continuing on to Domerie Peak. There is a trail on the map, but we could not find it. The Mountaineers description for this route with the trip extension to Domerie Peak is probably meant for when this is a scramble route in the winter.
(All Photos by John Kooch)
We met at 7:30 in North Bend, stopped at the gas station on the NE side of the exit 70/I-90 interchange in Easton to use the restroom, and were on the trail before 9:00. The group kept a steady pace with a few short breaks for photos, a snack stop and party separation at Para Point, and reached the summit around 11:45 for lunch. We made our return in just under 2 hours. The trip was just shy of 8 miles and 3000 feet of elevation gain. Trip participants mentioned that a good level of fitness (a few had participated in CHS over the summer) helped with the steep section. Cool and sunny temps (high of 60) helped also, as the steep section is very exposed.
We had great views of Stuart, as well as Rainier, and enjoyed lunch on the summit of Baldy where we saw a red-tailed hawk and two soaring ravens. The ridge to Para Point and the ridge between Para Point and Baldy are excellent spots for seeing alpine plants. They, along with the many berry bushes, were past, alas. I recommend this hike when getting east of the divide not far from Seattle will get you a little sunshine and out of the wet, west side.
Looking west towards Kachess Ridge just past the trail separation of Easton Ridge and Domerie Divide trails.
Looking easterly to the summit of Baldy from the low point between Para Point and Baldy.
Stuart Range (with the first dusting of snow for the season) and Lake Cle Elum from the low point on the ridge between Para Point and Baldy.
Hikers on Baldy's summit.