Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Centennial 13er · North Ridge
Overview
Cronin Peak is a rocky Sawatch summit just west-southwest of Mount Antero, above Chalk Creek. It is named for Mary Cronin, one of the first people to climb all of Colorado's 14ers. This route starts at the bottom of the Baldwin Gulch road, walks up it to the split where the Mount Antero road turns off, then climbs the long north ridge to the summit.
The first three miles are on a rough, rocky four-wheel-drive road that is shared with jeeps, trucks and off-road vehicles. After that there is no trail. You climb steeply through forest, then follow a long ridge of talus and broken rock. It is Class 2 with no real exposure, but the ridge is rocky and slow near the top. It suits fit hikers who are fine with a long day and off-trail route-finding.
The round trip is about 11.75 miles with about 4,500 feet of gain. Plan on 8 to 10 hours. You can shorten the day a lot if you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle that can drive the road to the junction.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4:30 a.m. from the lower trailhead. The road walk takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and you want to be off the upper ridge before storms build, often by late morning.
Turnaround
If you are not above treeline on the north ridge by 9 a.m., turn around. If you are not on the summit by 11:30 a.m., head down.
Crux
The upper north ridge, where the talus gets larger and rockier. It is not exposed, but it is slow and the rock can shift.
Route-finding
The road is easy to follow; just stay on the main road up Baldwin Gulch. The tricky part is finding the start of the ridge from the road junction and climbing through the trees without a trail. Above treeline, the ridge is easy to see and follow in good weather.
Water
Baldwin Creek runs next to the road for much of the way. There is no water on the ridge. Fill up before you leave the road and filter or treat it; there is old mining in the area and heavy vehicle traffic along the creek.
From US 285 at Nathrop, turn west onto County Road 162 toward St. Elmo. Drive about 12 miles on the paved road up Chalk Creek. Turn left onto the Baldwin Gulch road (Forest Road 277). There is a small parking area near the start of the road, at about 9,420 feet. Passenger cars should park here.
The road above this point is rough, steep and rocky, with loose stones and ledges. Only short-wheelbase, high-clearance 4WD vehicles should drive it. If you drive, you can park near the junction with the Mount Antero road (Forest Road 278) about three miles up and start the ridge from there. Expect heavy traffic from jeeps and off-road vehicles on summer weekends.
RoadTrail in the treesTundraRidgeTalus and screeScramblingExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Baldwin Gulch trailhead 9,420' · 0 mi
Start walking up the Baldwin Gulch road. It climbs through pine and aspen forest with Baldwin Creek below on your right. The road is steep and covered in loose rock.
Watch for: Vehicles use this road. Step aside for traffic and watch for dust and flying rocks.
2
Lower road 9,900' · 1 mi
The road keeps climbing at a steady grade. Stay on the main road and ignore small side tracks. The forest opens now and then to show the high peaks ahead.
3
Middle road 10,400' · 2 mi
The valley opens and the grade eases a little. You can see Mount Antero's slopes rising to the east. Keep following the main road up the gulch.
4
Road junction 10,850' · 3 mi
The road reaches the creek crossing where the Mount Antero road turns off and switchbacks up the slopes to the east. The Baldwin Gulch road continues up the valley toward Baldwin Lake. Cronin's north ridge rises to the south-southwest.
Watch for: Fill water here. This is the last reliable water.
5
Into the trees 11,200' · 3.5 mi
Leave the road and head up the north ridge through forest. There is no trail. Keep to the crest of the ridge where the trees are thinner. The slope is steep.
Watch for: Easy to drift off the ridge in the trees. Check your direction often.
6
Treeline 11,800' · 4 mi
The trees end and the ridge opens up. You can now see the long rocky ridge leading to the summit. Mount Antero is across the valley to the east.
Watch for: Decision point. If it is past 9 a.m. or clouds are building, turn back here.
7
Lower north ridge 12,400' · 4.5 mi
Follow the ridge on tundra and small rock. The walking is steady but steep. Stay on the crest where the ground is most solid.
8
Mid ridge 12,800' · 4.8 mi
The tundra thins out and gives way to talus. Pick the flattest, most stable rocks and keep a steady pace.
Watch for: Talus can shift. Watch your ankles.
9
Upper ridge 13,200' · 5.1 mi
The ridge gets rockier and the talus gets bigger. The route is still Class 2, with no real exposure, but it is slow. The summit is ahead to the south.
Watch for: Wind is often strong on the ridge.
10
Summit ridge 13,600' · 5.6 mi
Keep climbing over broken rock toward the top. Use your hands for balance in spots.
Watch for: Loose rock. Keep your group spread out so no one is below another.
11
Summit 13,872' · 5.9 mi
The summit is a rocky top with close views of Mount Antero to the east and the Chalk Creek valley below. Start down soon if clouds are building.
Watch for: The whole ridge back to treeline is exposed to lightning.
Landmarks to know
Baldwin Gulch road leaving County Road 162 in Chalk Creek canyon
Baldwin Creek on your right as you climb the road
Road junction where the Mount Antero road switchbacks east
Forested north ridge rising south-southwest from the junction
Treeline with a view of the long rocky ridge ahead
Mount Antero across the valley to the east
Rocky summit at the south end of the ridge
Getting down
Return down the north ridge. The main place to go wrong is in the trees below treeline. The ridge is broad there and it is easy to drift off to one side into steep, thick forest. Keep to the crest and aim for the road junction by the creek. A GPS track from the way up helps.
Once back at the road, walk down the Baldwin Gulch road to your car. The loose rock on the steep road is easy to slip on, and tired legs make it worse. Keep watching for vehicles coming up and down.
If things go wrong
Treeline is the main decision point. If weather is building or someone is tired, turn back there. From anywhere on the ridge, the fastest way to safety is back down the ridge to the trees and the road. Do not drop off the sides of the ridge into unknown gullies. If lightning is close, get off the crest, spread out, and crouch low on your pack. If someone is hurt, keep them warm and still. The Baldwin Gulch road often has vehicle traffic, which can help with getting help. Call 911 when you can reach help.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
The last 2.4 miles have no trail, through trees and up open slopes. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
A climb of this route filmed by The Virtual sherpa. The video belongs to them and only plays when you press play.
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Snow, ice, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.