Forest Service: Be careful on Baldy

Agency issues warning to those who hike ski mountain

By :EXPRESS STAFF

The Sawtooth National Forest is warning people who climb the slopes of Bald Mountain to be especially alert and careful, now that the ski area is open for downhill uses.

"Due to the lack of early-season snow in the Wood River Valley, machine-made snow on Bald Mountain has provided the only snow workout opportunity for uphill skiers and snowshoe hikers," a news release from the Ketchum Ranger District states. "Several lifts are now open and downhill skiers are on the slopes. Therefore it is critical that uphill traffic be very conscientious about how they climb the limited open terrain on Bald Mountain. This is necessary for their safety and the safety of downhill skiers and riders."

Joe Miczulski, snow specialist for the Ketchum Ranger District, said uphill hiking on Bald Mountain has vastly increased in popularity.

"Where there used to be six or eight folks hiking up the runs at dawn, now there are as many as one-hundred on a busy day," he said. "We only have these ribbons of machine-made snow, some of it pretty narrow in places, for everyone to play on right now."

Miczulski said morning hikers will be safest if they're done going up Baldy by 9 a.m., the time the lifts open to downhill skiers and riders. Afternoon hikers should wait until all skiers and riders are down, around 4:30 p.m., he said.

"It's imperative all hikers stay well to the side when walking up or down any ski run regardless of the time of day," he said. "People that hike or ski in the dark need to wear brightly colored or reflective clothing, and carry flashlights or head lamps, so that groomers and snowmobile operators can see them."

Miczulski also encourages hikers to leave their dogs at home and to stay off Bald Mountain altogether on mornings when it receives heavy snow, to prevent interference with avalanche control work. Hiking the mountain while it is posted closed is a violation of Blaine County Ordinance 86-4, prohibiting public entry to areas marked closed within a developed ski area, he said.