South Baldy is the highest point in the Magdalena Mountains of central New Mexico, in the Magdalena Ranger District of Cibola National Forest. About 9 miles south of Magdalena and 18 miles west-southwest of Socorro, it rises near the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research and the site of the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer. Though not one of the state’s very highest peaks, it is a conspicuous regional landmark because the surrounding land is much lower, giving it exceptional topographic prominence, ranked sixth in New Mexico. It is reached by road or trail and also figures in local outdoor culture through an annual mountain bike ascent race.