Baldy (In Yakama Canyon)
WillhiteWeb.com: Washington Hiking
Elevation: 3,225 feet
Distance: 2.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
Prominence: 805 feet
A good option if the weather is bad in the Cascades is to hike a mountain on the extreme eastern edge of the range, Baldy. This hike climbs from the river bottom to what feels like the highest point around. With just over 800 feet of prominence, Baldy feels pretty high given the vast distance viewable. The summit has some communication structures but they do not get in the way of the views.
Access:
Take Canyon Road through the State Scenic Byway of Highway 821 to Big Pines Campground. There is free parking on the side of the highway next to the campground and trailhead. Parking in the campground will cost around 5 bucks. From the campground, the trailhead is across the road from the campsites.
Route:
There are two trails right at the start, you can take the old 4WD road trail (through the gate) uphill for a steep climb up the first half, or (left before the gate) take the giant switchback route that starts with paralleling the roadway. Both trails merge around the false summit you see at the trailhead. From there, it is a ridgewalk to the final climb where it gets a tad steep again, more like a climbers trail. The summit area is gentle and full of room to walk around.
False summit of Baldy from Big Pines Campground
Looking down on Big Pines Campground from false summit
From false summit area, looking up at second half of the hike
Looking north up the Yakama River Canyon
The end of Untanum Ridge
Looking south down the Yakama River
Looking NE from the summit
Looking north up the Yakama River Canyon from the summit
Final ridge walk to the summit
Hiking down
Looking SE from the summit into the Yakama Firing Range