Near Mount Baldhead Figure Eight
Looking down from the last step.
Near Mount Baldhead Figure Eight
Looking down the dune toward Oval Beach.
Near Mount Baldhead Figure Eight
View from Mount Baldhead.
Near Mount Baldhead Figure Eight
Deck overlooking a ravine.
Near Mount Baldhead Figure Eight
Looking towards Mount Baldhead.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Mount Baldhead Figure Eight

5.0 (2 Ratings)
A challenging hike that takes you up and down Mount Baldhead twice.
1.5
mi
Distance
477
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsLakeViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
1.53mi
Distance
477ft
Elevation Gain
477ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
805ft
High Point
588ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Park in the Mount Baldhead lot, then climb the stairs (nearly 300). At the top go straight down the dune and shortly after you get to the bottom take the trail to the right (north). Where the North Woods Trail use to end is halfway to where you want to turn. Find the ridge and look for a switchback that will take you up the dune. There's one very steep step, so it may be helpful to have a buddy with you. Follow the North Woods Trail to the top of Mount Baldhead. Then hike pretty much straight across to the head of the South Ridge Trail. Follow it down to the end and head east on the John A Woolam Dune Trail . You'll find a spot where there are two trail markers relatively close together and between them you'll see another trail heading to the left (north) along the side of a hill. That's the Yellow Trail (I call it the Forward Movement Trail). Stay on the beaten path if you don't see yellow markers, but it shouldn't be too hard to follow. At the end, hike down Van Dalson Street to Park Stree and take a left. You'll see the Mount Baldhead lot less than 50 yards away.
History & Background
This area belonged to the Potawatomie Indians before white men took it in the 1830s. In 1898 a group called the Forward Movement bought the land that is now Mount Baldhead Park and it was more or less a summer camp until 2014. The radar tower on top of the dune was part of a Cold War warning system for about 10 years.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Chris Clark