California · U.S. National Parks
Big Baldy: Good Views, But Not Our First Priority
A good hike with broad Sierra views. We liked it — but with limited time, Mist Falls gets the day.
Our verdict: GOOD, NOT ESSENTIAL. Do it if you have another half day. Do not choose it over Mist Falls.
Trail snapshot
Distance: about 4.4 miles round trip
Gain: about 600 feet by the NPS route description
Style: gradual ridge climb to broad views
Distance: about 4.4 miles round trip
Gain: about 600 feet by the NPS route description
Style: gradual ridge climb to broad views
Big Baldy was pleasant and the views were good. The trail climbs along a ridge rather than attacking a steep granite dome like Moro Rock, so it is a very different experience.
Where it fits
On a three-day trip, this works well as an additional hike. On a compressed two-day trip, we would spend the Kings Canyon day driving into Cedar Grove and hiking Mist Falls instead.