Hike Bald Mountain, Reids Peak, Murdock Mountain Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

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Bald Mountain is a popular peak just off the Mirror Lake Highway since it has a well-maintained traill all the way to its summit. Aside from minor Class 2 along the last quarter mile or so, the hike just uses nice switchbacks carved into the bouldery southwest ridge of Bald Mountain. I passed at least two parties blasting music and intentionally spooked one of them with an abnoxiously joyful "hi!". At the top I enjoyed the view toward Hayden Peak to the northeast before continuing off-trail toward Reids Peak, which is kind of just a big, steep rocky lump on the northwest side of Bald Mountain.

I started down the north ridge of Bald Mountain, which quickly increased in steepness and difficulty. Large boulders forced slow movement, but no move exceeded Class 2. A bit before halfway down, I recommend dropping just left of the ridge crest in order to avoid a gnarly-looking rock outcrop that comes in farther on, which causes the surrounding slope to have excessive (and potentially Class 3) steepness. This is the only notable obstacle on the way to the saddle of Bald Mountain and Reids Peak.

The ascent to Reids Peak began steeply, some minor bushwhacking to contend with if you can't locate one of the social trails. Keeping just left of the crest, I was able to avoid a long rocky outcrop by keeping along its base. A few hundred feet up got me to a flatter section where the cliffy ridge crest dissipated for a bit, opening up a view toward Reids Peak's formidable east face, which gave the route a scarier vibe than it actually ended up being. At the end of this flatter section I was confronted with a blocky rock outcrop, and a choice. Keeping left had obvious cairns, but didn't seem to gain much elevation. Ultimately that route does lead to the summit via a sloped ledge, followed by a steep Class 2/3 talus/scree slope. I included photos of this option, but excluded it from my map. The better option requires a short Class 3 section to keep ascending, then following a straightforward ledge and slope to keep more-or-less along the ridge crest when possible. This led to the summit without too much hassle or loose, scary crap.

After backtracking from Reids Peak to its saddle with Bald Mountain, I descended south on a steep, grassy slope with some light brush. There were a couple of small cliff bands that, with careful route-finding, can be kept Class 2/2+. Once at the base of the descent, I started generally south through pretty tundra, passing tarns and wildflowers as I made my way toward the Notch Mountain Trail. A couple of minor Class 2 obstacles (some boulders, a small cliff, etc.) and a short bout of forest walking got me to the trail, which I followed back to my car.

Just across the highway is a small peak called Murdock Mountain. It's a short walk from the trailhead, but you could drive and park at a pull-out, which would reduce my hike stats by about 0.8 mi. I started from the highway and entered the sparsely-vegetated forest, no trail to be found. The grassy slope abruptly transformed into somewhat annoying rocky terrain, which lasted for about a half mile to the wide summit area. I was interested in getting a dramatic view of Hayden Peak from Murdock Mountain's summit since it appeared to offer a nice overlook, but this wasn't the case. It was a cute little add-on, regardless.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Bald Mountain

11948 ft

1823 rise

Reids Peak

11708 ft

628 rise

Murdock Mountain

11212 ft

492 rise

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Bald Mountain Trailhead.

Bald Mountain Trail, which switchbacks up the slope.

A shot back toward the trailhead and Murdock Mountain along the Bald Mountain Trail.

The trail reaches the ridgeline and continues ascending along the crest.

Bald Mountain on the right, Reids Peak poking out on the left.

The trail continues on the right and then heads to the summit.

Wrapping on the right, a nice perspective of Bald Mountain's east face.

View back along the Bald Mountain Trail.

The trail crosses some Class 2 higher up.

Final ridge section to gain Bald Mountain's summit.

Bald Mountain summit, view south.

Mirror Lake below, Hayden Peak and Mount Agassiz seen in the distance.

Onward toward Reids Peak, seen center.

Starting down toward Bald Mountain's saddle with Reids Peak.

Class 2 along the steep, bouldery ridge. I recommend keeping along the ridge for 1/3 of the way, then dropping left a bit to avoid a rock outcrop.

Avoiding a rock outcrop (seen right), that forces the surrounding slope to become extra steep.

View back up toward the rock outcropping.

Close-up of Reids Peak.

At the saddle, starting up Reids Peak.

I kept left of the crest along the base of the rocky ridgeline for the majority of the ascent.

View back toward Bald Mountain.

Approaching a short, flatter section.

I reached a choice. Keeping left (felt more obvious) leads along a less good route (photos below for reference). I recommend just keeping to the crest.

Short Class 3 section.

View down at the short Class 3 section.

Just past the Class 3 move, a nice ledge.

View back along the ledge.

Steep stuff past the ledge leading back up toward the ridge crest.

Just left of the crest, making my way to Reids Peak's summit (Class 2).

Reids Peak, view toward Hayden and Agassiz.

View toward Mount Marsell.

(ALT: Referenced earlier, not recommended) Keeping left at the choice wraps beneath the cliffs.

(ALT: Referenced earlier, not recommended) And then up this slope.

(ALT: Referenced earlier, not recommended) View back down the steep, loose alternative.

Back at the saddle, now headed south.

There are a couple of Class 2 cliff bands. Poor route-finding could make these more difficult.

View back up at the saddle and Reids Peak.

Wide shot toward Reids and the saddle.

Continuing through pretty meadows.

A short section of forest hiking.

And then I reached the Notch Mountain Trail, taking it back to the trailhead.

The Notch Mountain Trail wraps around the south side of Bald Mountain.

Just across the highway, I started up Murdock Mountain.

Initially, the ascent was grassy, then rocky terrain popped in.

It's like this for about a half mile.

View back toward Bald Mountain.

Summit of Murdock Mountain ahead.

Murdock Mountain, view toward Bald Mountain.

Murdock Mountain, view toward Hayden and Agassiz.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!