Is it right for you?
Baldy no es Cinco is the first of four 13ers on the north edge of Snow Mesa, a vast high plateau east of Spring Creek Pass. The trailhead is right on Highway 149, so any car can get there.
A good trail climbs to the mesa. Then you leave it and walk up wide grassy tundra to the top. Some lists rate it Class 2 because of the distance, but the walking is Class 1. The north side of the peak ends in cliffs.
The round trip is about 9.2 miles with 2,415 feet of gain. It's a fine stopping point for families. Doing all four Snow Mesa 13ers (Baldy no es Cinco, Baldy Cinco, UN 13,166 and UN 13,505) is about 16.9 miles with 4,563 feet of gain. Plan on a full day of about nine hours.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be on top by noon.
Nothing hard; just the distance.
Easy to moderate. The trail on the mesa is faint at times; follow the posts.
None at the trailhead. A pond on Snow Mesa is the only source noted. Carry plenty and filter.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,310'…—
—
—
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.
Getting there
Spring Creek Pass - Snow Mesa
From Creede, start at the main junction in town where Highway 149 turns after crossing the creek. Drive 33 miles southwest and then north to the top of Spring Creek Pass. From Lake City, take 149 south, stay on it past the Lake San Cristobal turnoff, climb over Slumgullion Pass and come down to Spring Creek Pass. That's 17.3 miles, a good half hour. Any car can make it.
On the west side of the highway, a short paved road leads to a small trail lot with a vault toilet. It goes on to a loop with picnic tables and a second toilet; this was a campground, but camping there is now closed. There's no water. The Snow Mesa trail starts on the east side of the highway.
Nearby Forest Service campgrounds include Slumgullion (at that pass) and North and South Clear Creek. Rito Hondo Reservoir and the Brown Lakes area are a little farther. Primitive sites are easiest to find south of Spring Creek Pass.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Spring Creek Pass - Snow Mesa. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →