Mount Baldy | The Perfect Trail
Mount Baldy seen from the boat on Shuswap Lake
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Mount Baldy is a local favorite and for good reasons! It has the characteristics of what I consider a perfect trail……it’s close to home, provides a gorgeous trek through a diverse forest which includes cedar, hemlock, poplar, cottonwood, and an impressive stand of trembling aspen. Its gradual incline gets the heart beating but isn’t too difficult (we often do this one with toddlers on our backs!). It has little wooden bridges and boardwalks with nice creek crossings. An interesting sculptural art piece at the beginning made of old bike parks lends its self to the charm of the trail. It also has an awesome peek-a-boo viewpoint a little ways up which looks east over the beautifully forested mountainside. And the views at the top will knock your hiking socks off!
The peek-a-boo point makes for a great spot to take a small break or a rewarding turn around if you have kids or are short on time. The trail also boasts an additional upper loop near the top called the Aspen Ramble Loop which adds approx. 1.7 km to the total hike. The total trail, including the scenic Aspen loop, is approximately 7.6km round trip and takes about 2-2.5 hours. The trailhead is very easy to find, in fact, there is even a blue and white hiking sign on the side of the road indicating where to turn to get to the parking lot.
Bicycle parts art piece marking the beginning of the creek crossings, boardwalks & bridges | Photo by Marina
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Mt. Baldy, first peek-a-boo view point. Continue on upwards to reach the true summit.
Shuswap Adventure Girl
The trail itself is easy to follow along with the orange trail markers and is very well maintained. The peek-a-boo viewpoint and Aspen loop are marked with the standard green and white trail indicators on wooden junction posts.
The top of Mt. Baldy is well, bald! Not really, but it is a much different ecosystem than the forest just below. The top is made up of large rocks and boulders and interesting low foliage- this is a vulnerable ecosystem and hikers are asked to tread lightly and gently here. Look for the mosses and lichens and tiny succulents that hug the boulders of the plateau. It’s a short steep incline from the forest up to the top.
On a clear day, northern views highlight the Adams Plateau which is part of the Shuswap Highlands, Crowfoot mountain, and Pukeashun Mountain. Copper Island, Eagle Bay, and the almost hidden entrance into Blind Bay. You also get a great view of Scotch Creek on the north shore.
Viewpoint on Mt. Baldy looking towards Copper Island and the hidden water entrance into Blind Bay
Shuswap Adventure Girl
This is a wonderful trail in all seasons! Spring Aspen bloom is a masterpiece of all shades green, the eastern mountainside is alive with the colors of spring. And autumn has the forest illuminating with oranges and yellows and reds. The trembling Aspen is particularly beautiful with the fall colors. During wintertime and rainy days, the trail is protected under a rainforest like canopy of incredible and diverse trees. With enough snow, this is a beautiful snowshoe route! Mt. Baldy is also a well-known mountain bike trail!
Mount Baldy seen from Rocky Point Beach on a clear winter day
Shuswap Adventure Girl
I have hiked Mt. Baldy several times now and it remains one of my favorite local treks. However, I have yet to climb to the top during a beautiful summer sunrise, bright and early, ascending in the morning darkness and making it up in time to watch the sunrise in the east. Forewarned that this is my next adventure for Baldy!
Hiking with kids in the early spring, Mt. Baldy | Photo by Marina
Shuswap Adventure Girl
Category: Return, additional loop, scenic w/ views
Kid-friendly: Yes
Distance: +/- 7.6km including the 1.7km additional Aspen Rambling Loop
Time: ranging from 2-3 hours depending on how much time spend at the top. Approx 2-2.5 hours moving time.
Directions coming from Sorrento: Access the Mt Baldy trailhead by driving west of Sorrento on Highway one. Turn south onto Elson Road and drive past the unique building of Crannog Ales, then left over the railway track, and then left on South Shore Place to park in the Cul-de-Sac at the Trailhead. There is a blue and white hiking sign on the side of the road indicating where to turn to get to the parking lot. The trail starts here.
