Double Baldy with a side of Redondo

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This route follows the popular Winsor National Recreation Trail to Puerto Nambe and up the Skyline Trail to the top of Santa Fe Baldy. Then, from there, follow the ridgeline north to the prominent rocky mountain a few more miles further. Once you're there, turn around and back to the parking lot.

There are a few stream crossings and a lake below the summit of Baldy to get water if you need it. Treat whatever you drink.

Follow the well used Winsor National Recreation Trail north from the parking lot. The trail climbs steeply for the first 1/4 of a mile to the Wilderness boundary. Pass through the gate and continue into the darker spruce forest on a slight downgrade. The trail tread is hard-packed dirt with many rocks. This trail will cross several streams that you must treat if you wish to drink the water. About 4 miles in, you'll cross a stream skipping from boulder to boulder, after this you start to climb up to Windy Pass and the intersection with the Skyline Trail.

A little over 6 miles from the start you'll find yourself at a high mountain pass/saddle (Windy Pass) with the big mountain looming to your left (north). Follow the steep and rocky Santa Fe Baldy to Redondo Peak Ridgeline trail to the top. From the top look at the lake down below off to the right or east.

As you gaze north, spot the exposed outcrop that is Redondo Peak about 3 miles north along the obvious ridge. Run there following the ridgeline. There are fragments of a trail, but it is fairly easy to follow the ridge top. Once you get to the top of Redondo turn around and head back the way you came, or just before the summit of Baldy veer east and head down to Lake Kathrine. From here you can pick up the Winsor National Recreation Trail again and follow it back up to Puerto Nambe (Windy Pass) and then back on the Winsor National Recreation Trail to the start.

I've seen marmots, falcons, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and lots of birds.