Route Editor
Route Scout
 Author Full Detail Guide Overview: From the visitor center in Mount Baldy Village, follow the signs for Mt Baldy Trail to a locked vehicle barrier. Cross the barrier and continue SW to a paved road (Bear Canyon Rd). Head right and follow the road all the way until its end and the beginning of Mt Baldy Trail. The trail ends at the top of Mount San Antonio (aka Mount Baldy). Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Note This is a difficult hike. It would be insane to attempt this entire hike without prior experience hiking. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community. 2012-09-25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Review
Mt Baldy Trail
A lot more AEG than I was expecting, but I'll roll with it.
This one's been on my radar for some time, but I realistically figured it would be best to get in better shape before I went after it. My trip 1-2 weeks ago had a few hikes with some good AEG, so with autumn weather on the way, and a newly pumpkin'd work schedule, I figured it was now or next year. After a night in Anaheim (thanks, Sam!) and an hour drive through the early morning, traffic-less roads of Southern California, I was at the visitor center in Baldy Village. It was about 630 and they were closed so I was happy to have already picked up my Adventure Pass the day before.
Finding the trail was confusing. A truck pulled through the locked gate to the visitor center parking lot, and though the driver wasn't with the FS, he gave me directions. Still a little unsure of where I was going, I asked a man who was taking out his trash if I was on the right track and he reassured me I was. More walking along the road finally put me on the trail. I made my way up to Bear Flat and began the warm, exposed switchbacks through the chaparral.
I kept a steady, not-so-fast pace through the vast majority of the climb. It seems to have worked well enough. Around 6800ft, the winds became evident. The breeze was a cool relief while heading up the steady grade. I passed two backpackers who had spent the night near the peak about 4 miles up. Not long after, I came to a nice but brief section of trail similar to Devil's Backbone. This was followed by some flatter sections through a thin forest of trees that I can't indentify because I'm stupid. Not long after this, I was standing alone on top of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The winds were fierce and I took cover in one of the rock shelters after exploring for a bit. I was up there for a while. One other person walked by, but otherwise it was deserted (perhaps just too early). On the way back down, I figured I'd bag West Baldy since it was right there. I couldn't find any of the benchmarks, but that's not to say they aren't there. Coming down wasn't a quick affair. It was certainly work on the legs. I'll have to tuck and roll next time.
The following day (today if you stay current with triplogs), I snoozed until it was too late to hike San Gorgonio, despite having a wilderness permit and another Adventure Pass in my possession. I always forget that you don't feel sore until the day after. My actions were justified to some degree when I saw the awful, awful smog on the drive home. I don't recall it ever being so bad, but I probably said the same thing last time I was out there.
This one's been on my radar for some time, but I realistically figured it would be best to get in better shape before I went after it. My trip 1-2 weeks ago had a few hikes with some good AEG, so with autumn weather on the way, and a newly pumpkin'd work schedule, I figured it was now or next year. After a night in Anaheim (thanks, Sam!) and an hour drive through the early morning, traffic-less roads of Southern California, I was at the visitor center in Baldy Village. It was about 630 and they were closed so I was happy to have already picked up my Adventure Pass the day before.
Finding the trail was confusing. A truck pulled through the locked gate to the visitor center parking lot, and though the driver wasn't with the FS, he gave me directions. Still a little unsure of where I was going, I asked a man who was taking out his trash if I was on the right track and he reassured me I was. More walking along the road finally put me on the trail. I made my way up to Bear Flat and began the warm, exposed switchbacks through the chaparral.
I kept a steady, not-so-fast pace through the vast majority of the climb. It seems to have worked well enough. Around 6800ft, the winds became evident. The breeze was a cool relief while heading up the steady grade. I passed two backpackers who had spent the night near the peak about 4 miles up. Not long after, I came to a nice but brief section of trail similar to Devil's Backbone. This was followed by some flatter sections through a thin forest of trees that I can't indentify because I'm stupid. Not long after this, I was standing alone on top of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The winds were fierce and I took cover in one of the rock shelters after exploring for a bit. I was up there for a while. One other person walked by, but otherwise it was deserted (perhaps just too early). On the way back down, I figured I'd bag West Baldy since it was right there. I couldn't find any of the benchmarks, but that's not to say they aren't there. Coming down wasn't a quick affair. It was certainly work on the legs. I'll have to tuck and roll next time.
The following day (today if you stay current with triplogs), I snoozed until it was too late to hike San Gorgonio, despite having a wilderness permit and another Adventure Pass in my possession. I always forget that you don't feel sore until the day after. My actions were justified to some degree when I saw the awful, awful smog on the drive home. I don't recall it ever being so bad, but I probably said the same thing last time I was out there.
2012-09-24 PatrickL
