SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS — Outdoor enthusiasts will once again be able to access Mount Lindsey, a privately owned 14er within the Blanca Massif.
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SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS — Outdoor enthusiasts will once again be able to access Mount Lindsey, a privately owned 14er within the Blanca Massif.
Those interested in hiking the 14,055-foot peak must read and sign a seven-page Mount Lindsey Waiver and Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement. This reporter read and e-signed the online waiver in about five minutes, and it is free.
The 14er is located on the Trinchera Blanca Ranch and has been closed to the public for the last four years due to liability concerns of the owner.
The opening of the mountain is the result of several years of talks between the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) and the Ranch. The waiver is very specific regarding the route climbers are allowed to access. "Please remember that the restored climbing access to Mount Lindsey is a privilege that can be withdrawn if people do not follow the rules. The approach route is one of the worst in the state and is a high priority for reconstruction," according to the CFI.
The peak that had been known as Old Baldy was named in 1954 in honor of Malcolm Lindsey, a president of the Colorado Mountain Club.
Mount Lindsey, a granitic batholith that formed about 1.7 billion years ago, is a geological wonder. In June 2022, the U.S. Geologic Survey revised its elevation by five feet to the current 14,055, adding to its allure.
The Mount Lindsey wavier must be completed before entering this private property and is available at www.mountlindseywaiver.com There is no hunting, camping, fires, firearms or overnight stays allowed. The use of motorized equipment or wheeled transport (i.e., mountain bikes) is prohibited. To learn more about the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, visit: www.14ers.org
The waiver website emphasizes, "Mt. Lindsey trails and access routes are not maintained and are not supervised. All-access is at your own risk. Do not attempt if you are not qualified and properly equipped." This reiteration ensures that potential climbers are well informed about their risks and responsibilities.
