Bozeman locals have long referred to the southernmost summit of the Bridger Range as “Mount Baldy” due to its treeless (bald) character. However, USGS and U.S. Forest Service topographic maps have no name associated with that summit. Instead, they identify a peak about 1 mile north along the ridge as “Baldy Mountain”. That summit has many trees, so is undeserving of the epithet “baldy”.
We believe that it is sensible to have Mount Baldy depicted properly on official maps, not at the location labeled “Baldy Mountain”. To make such a change, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names needs to confirm that local opinion supports it. It is important that elected government officials join the chorus of support as Montana no longer has an active Montana State Names Advisor. I am writing to you in the hope that you will respond with a few words in support of the proposal to bring the official names of peaks in the Bridger Range into concordance with long-established practice.
You are probably already aware that local hikers commonly refer to “hiking to Baldy” when their destination is the bald summit visible from Bozeman at the southern end of the Bridger Range. That summit is described in numerous photos – including historical photos – as Mount Baldy. Books describing hikes in local mountains (e.g., “Day Hikes Around Bozeman Montana” by Robert Stone) refer to Mount Baldy. Local runners participate in “The Baldy Blitz,” which is a run from the ‘M’ up to Mount Baldy. The “Baldy Aid Station” of the Bridger Ridge Run is situated on the bald summit of Mount Baldy. We believe that it is perverse and incongruous for official topographic maps to identify a hirsute peak as “Baldy Mountain” and to overlook the bald summit that locals have long referred to as “Mount Baldy”.
May I respectfully request your support of this official designation? Please reply with a brief message of support to the coordinator of this effort, Dr. Jeffrey Barish (jeffbarish73@gmail.com)
Thank you for your consideration,
Rob Maher
