Almagre Mountain Summit Route

The trail begins at the locked gate on FSR 379A. Motorized vehicles are not allowed past the locked gate due to the fragile ecosystem. Go around the locked gate, and head to the right over the old brick dam (Mount Baldy Dam). Crossing the dam can be a bit tricky, just be careful of the old rusty rebar. From here, it is another 1.25 miles to the summit with an elevation gain of about 700 ft. Listen for the marmots whistling, as they are warning others of your presence. After crossing the dam, the trail gently traverses up the sidewall of the Mount Baldy Reservoir, which is usually quite dry. The trail is sandy and can get deep at times, so trekking poles come in handy. Upon reaching the summit, the views are delightful. On a clear day, the Cog railway can be seen and heard traveling along the slope of Pikes Peak, miles of Colorado Springs can be seen, and it feels as if one can see all the way to Kansas, North Cheyenne Canon, and Mays Peak. If you're in the area, Mason and McReynolds Reservoirs are other spots to enjoy in the vicinity.