I started to notice something else as we ascended towards the backbone, I realized how much I was in the moment on this hike, how I hadnt thought about the regular concerns of the day, lifes worries, the what ifs and the I should of, would of could ofs that most of us contemplate in our daily lives. Baldy Road. Harwood, to the summit. (10,064) elevation. An Adventure Pass parking permit. The narrow trail climbs north straight up the side of San Antonio Canyon. 12 Moderate to Difficult Hikes Near Los Angeles If you have them, gaiters will help keep snow out of your socks/show opening. Approx. Scarf or Facemask Poway, CA, Hike it! But to ascend Baldy via the Devils Backbone, follow the road meandering east to Baldy Notch (7800'), a total of 3.6 miles from the start. The trail from the south is the Baldy Bowl trail, which is much shorter but much steeper. | Mr and Mrs Adventure, https://metropolitanmolly.com/2021/06/14/hiking-mount-baldy-how-to-successfully-conquer-the-tallest-mountain-in-the-angeles-national-forest-summer-edition/, From the summit of Mount Baldy after hiking 4.5 miles up, By riding the Mount Baldy ski lift up 1,500 feet in elevation to Baldy Notch, By hiking 3.5 mile up a dirt road from Manker Flats to Baldy Notch. San Antonio greet us. Start: Devils Backbone Trail connects Baldy Notch with the peak, and is 2.8 miles long with 2,269 of elevation gain. One of these five really made an impression not only on us but everyone else who met him as well. Later along the fire road, you need to look closely for the Ski Hut trail junction. At the peak, there are some windbreaks next to the famous metal summit plaque. It is the most dangerous zone on Mt. You are fully responsible for yourself. http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/, HIKE RSVP: San Antonio. [] 10,064 foot summit and in the end, we concluded that ascending via Baldy Bowl and descending along The Devils Backbone, making for an 11.3 mile hike, was the best route we stand by this decision (Great post []. When reaching the summit we will take a longer break depending on the temperature and wind. But it always seemed to get pushed off -- due to bad weather, brush fires in the. The elevation gain is the same as the San Antonio Ski Hut Trail and the distance is probably about the same. Antonio (Mt. My choice, as I wanted to experience one more time the thrill of completing the true Devils Backbone Ridge). The Top of the Notch restaurant and bar is in a perfect place to rest and refuel. However, the fear turns to exhilaration mixed with vast shots of adrenaline, not too mention for me a spiritual awakening! Its a good idea to print out a map of the loop to give you an idea of the trail. ), In the picture below, the normal route of the Devil's Backbone Trail is visible on left and the Devil's Backbone Ridge continues upward in the middle of the picture, Looking back down the Devil's Backbone Ridge after you climb to the top, This part of the ridge is two inches wide (at the most), View Mt. Baldy Road. What were the tips from pro hikers? Mount Baldy Loop | Los Angeles | Hikespeak.com This is intended for hikers who havehiked with us on a Level 7 hike or higher . 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Baldy Road and drive for 11.5 miles past Mt. Baldy boasts an impressive 10,069 feet in elevation, making it one of the better mountains for Southern Californians to train on if you're looking to summit Whitney or hike the JMT. Devil's Backbone. Coming down the first part of the ridge, the trail veers left (if the hiker goes up from the Notch, the restaurant) and cuts through the mountainside, while the Devils Backbone Ridge continues upward, with narrower and more slippery foothold. Torrey Pines State Beach to Blacks Beach, 06/18/2017: Hiker Therapy, Garnet Peak: via Pacific Crest Trail at Penny Pines; Pine Valley, CA Hiker Therapy 05/28/2017, Hike The Hollywood Sign @ Hollywood Hills, CA 04/12/2017 Hiker Therapy, Eagle Rock: Pacific Crest Trail Los Coyotes Indian Reservation: 03/04/2017 Hiker Therapy, Hell Hole Canyon Trail to Maidenhair Falls, Anza Borrego State Park, 02/20/2017, Off The Menu San Diego County Hiking TrailsA list of the best kept secret hiking trails in San Diego County, Hike Stonewall Peak, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Julian, CA, Stanley Peak Daley Ranch Escondido CA 03/20/2016, Guatay Mountain: Pine Valley, CA 02/15/2016, Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, 1209 Farmer Rd, Julian, CA : 01/21/2016, Double Peak Mountain Trail: North San Diego County 09/26/2015 Hiker Therapy, Lawson and Gaskill Peaks: Hiking the East County 03/21/2015, San Miguel Mountain, Chula Vista, CA: Difficult but so Rewarding and Great views from the Summit! Otherwise, the way back is a wide and level fire road back to the trailhead. San Antonio was right across the street. Turn left on Baseline Road. Date & Time: Thursday May 17, 2012 7:30AM to 5:30PM 10 hours. Baldy Road and find parking on the side of the street above Manker Flat campground. The last stretch is a steep loose rock. 3. Gold-seekers originally established the trail to the summit in San Gabriel Canyon. Baldy. I must say not bad for first timers. Mount Baldy via Devils Backbone Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains, The Best Way to Summit Mount Baldy! Follow the Devils Backbone Trail. Harwood. San Antonio Devil's Backbone Ridge - Camino of Death, Images After spotting Mt. He had done this hike many times before, appeared very experienced, and was kind enough to hike with us to show us the proper route to take back down. Baldy via Devil's Backbone and it was an amazing experience! At one point the trail branches off and down into a valley. Antonio (Mt. Flashlight (should we encountertwilight/darkness upon return) If you drive beyond Manker Flat for about a mile, the road ends at the base of the ski lifts. Hand Warmers (Optional) It follows the access road for about 2 miles to the group of buildings at the top of the first ski lift. Baldy Village, which s downhill from the campground. After he conquers the pylon we continue on to Baldy Notch and soon arrive. I have done it both in wintertime (December 25, 2019. Baldy boasts an impressive 10,069 feet in elevation, making it one of the better mountains for Southern Californians to train on if you're looking to summit Whitney or hike the JMT. Whitney or Half Dome. Baldy, the highest point in Los Angeles County. HIKE NAME: Mt. A hike to Mt. 910 N. Mountain Ave Turn left on the trail and head west toward the summit of Mt. The one-way cost may be the same as round trip. At 10,064 feet above sea level, the snow often sticks around well into June. Please get this ahead of time from a local Sports store like REI stores, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Outdoor Outlet (Alhambra) and other retailers prior to the hike. Baldy, also known as Mount San Antonio, stands at 10,064 feet and is the highest point of the San Gabriel Mountains. Comfortable waterproofhiking boots with good grip. Baldy (via Devils Backbone) not only takes you to the top of Mt. Incorporating the Ski Hut Trail into a loop would shave off about 2.5 miles. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for your vehicle while parked the the trailhead. Baldy via the Devils Backbone as an out and back, with or without the ski lift. Anytime you are reading about something called the Devils Backbone and its drop offs on either side of the trail at 9000 plus feet, its time to stop researching, I decided to stop researching! Return Approx: 4:00pm, HIKE LEVEL:Level9(**Experienced Hikers only** Highly Strenuous. The other thing I wanted to do at the summit is find the coveted MT SAN ANTONIO BALDY 10,064 plaque and have my picture taken with my son standing hovering over it. mdostby. Mt Baldy - Ski Hut Trail 02/16 : r/socalhiking - reddit Hiking an additional 2.3 miles from the parking lot at the base of the ski lift. One of the guys yells out, Are we having fun yet?my son asks, Are we close?one of the guys points up and says, Right there! Get to there via the 210 FWY. San Antonio. So many nicknames for one mountain, I know! 2. Approx 14 miles. From Baldy Notch, you take a very steep trail up towards the beginning of the Devils backbone. If you do this climb after all of the snow has melted, bring plenty of water, since there are no water sources until you get down to the SA Ski Hut, where there is a small run-off stream. Turn right on Padua Avenue. HOW DO I PARTICIPATE WITH THE GROUP ON THIS HIKE? Turn left on the trail and head west toward the summit of Mt. By now the legs and lungs have grown accustomed to the steady ascent and hanging in there very well. As we came upon the Ski Hut, the trail at this point had leveled off a bit and although still had dips and turns, it was not nearly as steep or Cree covered as the previous part of the route had been. Hiking the Devil's Backbone, Mt. Baldy Ramble State When on Baseline go west, to Monte Vista/Padua Ave. What is Hiker Therapy and how did it evolve? Baldy) 43,120 views Oct 11, 2015 138 Dislike Share Prouisorsapientiae 6.65K subscribers This section of Devil's Backbone Trail is. 4k 60fps Norwegian Xplorer 5.5K views 2 years ago I Can't Believe We Had to TURN AROUND!. At the end of Falls Road, the path makes a big U-turn at San Antonio Falls. A short side trip to San Antonio Falls is worth the minimal effort. The summit actually has two peaks: the main peak, elevation 10,068 feet (3,069 m), and a sub-peak, West Baldy, at 9,988 feet (3,044 m). And in fact, I included Baldy as peak #3 in my Six-Pack of Peaks progressive training series. Baldy Notch - Devil's Backbone Trail Both hikes depart from Manker Flats and can be combined into one scenic and challenging 11.3-mile loop with 3,900 feet of elevation gain. : Head east on the 210, and exit Baseline Road in Claremont. Baldy is its first peak. As we trekked along our buddy Sam that we met on the summit called out our names and soon was striding past us and down the trail. Water. He guided us to the proper route along the trail and hiked off ahead of us down the mountain. stopping along the way to take it all in, not to mention to rest. This is a strenuous varation to climb Baldy, it has some nice views on both sides of the ridge and if you want some solitude from the weekend crowds, this is a good option. There are numerous trails to the top of Mt. 11. San Antonio, Its A Volcano! This is a higher level hike and should not be taken lightly. Display an adventure pass on your car at the trailhead. Baldy, San Gabriel Mountains, California HIKE PREREQUISITE: Must have completed a LATH hike Level 7+ and up with no problem. When I first considered doing this hike with my son, I must admit that the intimidation factor was high and did not lessen the more I researched this hike. However, be wary that trails are hard to follow on the stone surface, and taking the wrong one may necessitate steep backtracking. Harwood. Why not combine some of the routes into a big loop? There is a use trail that goes up to the right, follow this up onto the ridge. HIKE DATE: Saturday, September 21, 2019 LATH HIKE LEADS: Carol Martinez & Janiece Cordova MEETING TIME: 5:00am - 5:15am Please be on time. She says she was late to join up with a group of friends at the start of the hike. Navigate; Linked Data; Dashboard; Tools / Extras (37), Comments Sam, the 74 year old, was also very impressed with our hiking sticks, two pine poles that my Son had carved from a past Christmas tree as well as a Torrey Pine branch he had found! I added the Register Ridge Variation to the Baldy Notch Route page. Besides a hearty breakfast, I would highly suggest an early start when doing this hike, not only due to the time it takes to complete but if you are attempting this hike in the summer months it can and does get hot. A Winter Ascent Of Mt. Baldy via Baldy Bowl And Ski Hut Trail This is the third of six southern California summits in what is called the 6-Pack of Peaks bundle. Additionally, you will not be allowed to participate with the group if you are not adequately prepared with enough water and the right gear/equipment/nutrition essential to complete the hike. Continue 2.8 miles on Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts to Baldy Notch eliminates a 2.3 mile one-way (1,500 gain) from the ski lift parking lot. Directions to Trailhead. If he wasnt taking everyones picture with his own camera, he was offering us Korean foods he had brought to the summit with him as snacks. Follow the Mt Baldy Rd. Baldy: 1 - The Devil's Backbone trail approaches the summit from the east. Mineral resources of the Mount Baldy Primitive Area, Arizona : an 0.46 miles: At the junction sign Round Valley 2 , turn right and hike along Long Valley Creek. It then ascends over a dozen little switchbacks at the western edge of the Baldy Bowl. Contact the ski resort directly for more information and booking. As you approach the devils Backbone portion of the trail you immediately get a sense of just how much the elevation gain takes its toll on your breathing, after all you are at nearly 9000 feet in elevation, your breaths get shorter and quicker! The gentler access road is to the left of this trail, and it snakes up the ridge rather than going straight up. Many choose to cut uphill in a narrow switchback pattern to ensure their footing. Baldy In the Summer Part 4 | Down the Devil's Backbone | to the Top of the Notch | .Hiking Mt. After a good nights sleep we set out at 7:30am. If you park at the Ski Lift parking lot, you must purchase a $5 parking pass, otherwise, an Adventure Pass is required for each vehicle parked along the roadside. Harwood can be seen in the background. Baldy's BBQ and Catering - St Louis, MO - Food Truck | StreetFoodFinder PARKING PERMIT (REQUIRED): Adventure Pass: $5 Day, or $30 annual. NOTE: Well be driving from Subway to the hike Manker Flats trail head. Dynamite work ethic however with a warm customer service specialty! It begins at Baldy Notch and ends at Mt. Head east on the 210, and exit Baseline Road in Claremont. MY FRIEND SAID I CAN DO THIS HIKE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT, RIGHT? (2). Make sure you stick to the ridgeline trail via the saddle to West Baldy, as the Bear Canyon Trail to Baldy Village loses too much elevation. Gators and eye protection (sunglasses). It traverses a ridge-top trail at the summit of Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains. Even before making the trek across the backbone, its fear factor kicks in big time! San Antonio, is reason enough to take in the view! During our time on the summit there were five others that we met. From there, you walk down the rest of the ridge and meet the normal Devils Backbone Trail on your left, continuing to traverse Mt. All of a sudden, you can see Baldy Notch. Turn left on Baseline Road. Devil's Backbone Trail to Mt. Baldy Peak | Humble Hiker Although the numerous hikes that I had done in San Diego over the past 5 months were challenging and I did see tremendous hiking growth take place, hiking to the summit of a 10,064 foot mountain was a dramatic change from the nearest challenging hike of Mt. Mt. Baldy - Devil's Backbone Trail Day Hike The most common and the one this Website describes, is to take the ski lift (open on weekends, 8 AM to 5 PM) up to Baldy Notch Ski Lodge and then take the westerly trail over the Devil's Backbone, across the southern side of Mt. Occasionally, you have to climb up big boulders with no margin of errors. Hiker dies, several hurt in falls near Mt. Baldy over weekend In 7.2 miles, go past Mt. It is much easier to return to Manker Flat, even though you lose some altitude. Yelp users havent asked any questions yet about Devil's Backbone. Harwood, Mt. http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/, https://www.facebook.com/latrailhikers/events, http://socalhiker.net/hiking-mt-san-antonio-baldy-loop-trail/, http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/11/22/hiking-mount-san-antonio-mount-baldy-and-mount-harwood/, http://www.everytrail.com/guide/mt-san-antonio-baldy-loop, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_San_Antonio. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced hiker, please read our hike details page as the hike may not suite your experience level. If you are not sure what to take on bigger hikers, it is advised that you try a lower level hike so you learn to pack for more strenuous hikes. For me just seeing the splendor of the surrounding mountains, including in the distance, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto both higher than Mt. There is a white gate and blue porta-potty to landmark the start. As there are a few routes to take, we choose the Ski Hut trail back down. Sam the 74 year old kept complementing my son on his creative use of pine by saying, Very Strong, your boy is Very Strong. He would say this to everyone in fact even telling me that I motivate him! As you begin this portion of the hike, the trail seems to narrow down to a mere crossable path as it takes a roller coaster feel to it, bending, turning, dipping even slanting to what seems like a 45 degree angle. GETTING THERE: Head east on the 210, and exit Baseline Road in Claremont. We ask her if she would like to join us, she does, but not too far along the trail she says she doesnt think she is going to make it, and turns back.