"Column Ridge"

Route: North Slopes, from Cebolla TH
Posted On: 7/22/2024, By: mijoflynn
Info: Hiked Baldy Chato / Column Ridge / Stewart from the Cebolla TH. Drove from Lake City; the GPS in my car didn't want to let me, but Google Maps recognizes the route just fine. It's worth noting that modern map apps use totally different names for the roads than Roach and the TH description on this site do. Figured I'd post the newer names here in case it helps anyone: take CO 149 to just before Slumgullion Pass, turn left on CR50 and continue for 15 miles to Cathedral (mailboxes at a three-way intersection), turn right on CR52 and continue for about a mile (to a gate at the start of CR45), then hang a slight left onto CR45 (aka CRKK14, aka George Bush Dr). CR45 is the roughest part of the drive; continue on it for about 5 miles (until you see a sign on the left giving distances to Lake City and CO 114), then turn right on CR8EE and follow it to the TH. Took about 1:30, maybe 1:45. It's not a "1;" CR45, especially, is bumpy. I'd give it a "2.5." But most passenger cars should be able to make it; it's easily Subaruable. Man, I thought the Stewart Creek TH was in the boonies. Cebolla is way out there. I was surprised at how good the Cebolla Trail was, given how remote it is; whoever carved that path through the sea of willows on Baldy Chato deserves a medal. The whole hike was a breeze: the hardest part was not stepping on all the wildflowers blooming up there. Pink and red paintbrushes were everywhere below treeline, and yellow paintbrushes and sunflowers above it; but I also saw asters, bluebells, columbines, fireweed, purple fringe, and a bunch of others. 

Route: From Stewart Peak
Posted On: 9/6/2023, By: PikaSteve
Info: Slightly rockier and steeper than Stewart Peak. Well worth the extra effort for views of cliffs. 

Route: Cebolla TH
Posted On: 9/20/2022, By: dhagan
Info: See Peak Condition Update for Baldy Alto from 9-18-22. 

Route: via Stewart
Posted On: 6/23/2020, By: MC.Ikema
Info: Any remaining snow was completely avoidable. 

Route: Baldy Alto/Stewart/Baldy Chato Combo
Posted On: 9/3/2019, By: supranihilest
Info: "Column Ridge" is all Class 2 talus in every direction except west, where things drop into big, vertical columns - hence the ridge's name. The true summit of the ridge is a bit difficult to determine but is obvious once you reach one of the two highest points, since you'll either obviously be on the higher or lower or the two.