Baldy Ridge Summit Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This 13 km (total) hike with an elevation gain of 800 meters was tough. The last 2.5 kms along the ridge presents challenging obstacles, a few of which got my heart beating a little quickly and made my hands kind of sweaty. There is some minor climbing required and many nearby cliffs make careful route selection essential. I have done this ridge in times past and I don’t recall it being all that difficult, so maybe it’s an age thing, let me know.
Route description.
Section 1 - Parking area (WP001) to Baldy Pass (WP002).
This section is a pleasant 4 km hike with an elevation gain of 425 meters. Although the trail is well marked and mostly in good shape, parts have been washed away by spring floods. These sections are currently dry and do not present any significant problems to the hike. There are two other caches along this part of the journey;
1. Baldy Pass (GC2A4A) adopted by DanOCan.
2. Kenobi – 15 Baldy Pass (GC16NNV) by Judy – Wan Kenobi.
Please note that if you start your hike from Hwy 40 you will be crossing a significant avalanche slope just before reaching the pass. This slope has not been active for many years, but that does not mean it won’t be again when conditions are right. So, winter travellers, be aware (or beware if you prefer)!
Section 2 - Baldy Pass (WP002) to the Cache.
Turn NW up the ridge toward the cache location when you reach the crest of the pass at WP002. This section is about 2.5 kms with an elevation gain of 350 meters. I found the best route was to stay as high on the crest as was possible. The crux for me was a gendarme at WP003, I first tried to turn it by using an obvious trail on skimpy ledges around its’ right side, but that scared the crap out of me, so I retreated and did the easy 4 meter climb straight up to its’ top. Continue on up and down along the undulating ridge top, alternately on scree and limestone slabs. As the summit is approached you again are forced to perform some minor climbing along good limestone ledges and slabs on a narrow ridge top. It appears this part could be avoided by dropping down below the high angle slabs on the west side and coming up hideous looking steep scree, better to tough out the ridge top I think.
Other potential routes (none of which are recommended).
The ridge can be accessed from Baldy Mountain but the descent from that mountain to the ridge entails significant exposure – I would not even consider it without a rope and related equipment. I suppose if you really enjoy slogging up loose scree you could access the ridge summit directly from the Lusk Creek side or the valley between Baldy and South Baldy – I think it would still be a 4.5 star though (for effort).
The cache
The cache is a 600 ml LnL painted black which contained a few trade items plus an un-activated Blue 4musketeers Royalist coin (in its’ blue velvet bag) for the FTF and $5.00 for the STF. It is hidden in a hollow under some large rocks. You will not have to move the bigger rocks, just a few small ones to enable you to reach in and capture the prize (see spoiler photo – take a copy).
Have fun, but please, be soooo very careful and don’t go alone like I stupidly did!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Frr fcbvyre cubgb.