SKIN TOE/BALDY RIDGE TRAIL

Causey Reservoir Area Map

Access: North end of Causey Dam, at Boy Scout Camp.

Elevation: Beginning: 5,700 feet Ending: 7,600 feet

Length: Skintoe - 1 mile one-way; Baldy Ridge - 9.5 to private land

Use: Light- Hiking, Horses, Mountain Bike

Difficulty: Skintoe - Easy; Baldy Ridge - Moderate

Season: Middle spring to fall

USGS Map: Causey Dam

Directions: The Skintoe Trail begins on the north side of Causey Reservoir just below the Boy Scout Camp. Park at the end of the dirt road, cross the bridge over Wheatgrass Creek and follow the trail south around the reservoir. It forks up into the hills after about one mile.

Here is one of the best kept secrets on the Ogden Ranger District. Numerous trails wind across Forest Service land north and east of the reservoir, and while they are not unknown, none are heavily used. The two best known are the Skintoe Trail which winds around the reservoir, and Baldy Ridge trail which shoots up into the mountains above the reservoir. Keep a watchful eye for waterfowl and wildlife on the Reservoir.

Once you're above Causey, you intersect with the Baldy Ridge Trail which stretches east about 9.5 miles. This is an ideal horseback ride, partly because the steep trail is much easier to negotiate on someone else's legs! It is a fine hike as well. Long before the construction of the Causey Dam, the Indians traveled up the ridge instead of fighting the brushy area along the river drainage. If you're alert and quiet, you may see moose, elk and deer in the surrounding canyons and high meadows.

The upper trail winds through stands of aspen, oak, and mountain mahogany. When you see browsed leaves to heights of six or seven feet, you'll know moose, deer and elk have been foraging. Fishing and hunting are popular in this area. Hunters can access other trails to the east from this point.

If you follow the trail onto the ridge, you will see a remarkable panorama. To the north are the steep, timber covered slopes of Wheatgrass Canyon and Dry Bread Hollow. Bear Hollow winds its way up below Lightning Ridge. To the south are Skullcrack Canyon and Magpie Canyon. Look back toward the reservoir and your view will be of Ogden Valley and the South Fork of the Ogden River. There are outstanding geologic formations that provide beautiful views of the surrounding area.

The trail is in fairly good condition but there are numerous rocky stretches on this trek. The trail eventually connects with the Baldy Ridge Road that ends at the property line of Deseret Land and Livestock Ranch.

Because of the steep sections allow a full day or more to hike the entire trail. There is no water source along the path so take plenty of water. Mid-May is an excellent time to hike the trail especially if you are interested in wildflowers. 

Camping is allowed, but please camp at least 100' from the trail.

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Tread Lightly at all times.