7/22/2024 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. |
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9/18/2022 Route: From Cebolla TH Posted On: 9/20/2022, By: dhagan Info: See Baldy Alto Peak Condition Update from 9-18-22. |
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6/5/2022 Route: North Slopes Posted On: 6/8/2022, By: Terrapin17 Info: Summer Conditions. I only hiked to Baldy Chato but the conditions to Stewart Peak and Column Ridge are dry as well. |
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9/4/2021 Route: North Slopes Posted On: 9/6/2021, By: CheapCigarMan Info: Very gentle peak and route. After the willows follow the grassy slope to the summit. |
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6/27/2020 Route: Cebolla TH Posted On: 6/27/2020, By: mtngoatwithstyle Info: No snow from base of “willow maze†to summit.Summer conditions. |
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6/27/2020 Route: Cebolla TH Posted On: 6/27/2020, By: mtngoatwithstyle Info: No snow from base of “willow maze†to summit.Summer conditions. |
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8/30/2019 Route: South Ridge/East Slopes from Stewart Peak Posted On: 9/3/2019, By: supranihilest Info: Easy but long ridge from Stewart Peak or "Column Ridge". Maybe a little Class 2 talus but mostly just Class 1 off-trail grass. If descending back to Nutras Creek or Stewart Creek like I did be aware it's a very long hike back across Stewart's north slopes and Willow Mesa. Dropping into Nutras Creek isn't as bad as it looks, just don't drop too soon! It seems to get gradually easier and less steep the longer you stay high on Stewart's east ridge. In Nutras Creek drainage I only found trail segments, not a full trail through the entire basin. Just keep heading east, it's not really like there's anywhere else you can go. Eventually you'll hit the road. |
