I set off on a hike up Mount Baldy, in June, just as the winter snows were finishing their late season melt-off. I had not been into the mountains much the past two seasons. Spring came and went without a hike amidst the high peaks of the San Gabriels.
Mountains Are Calling
About a week or so ago, I summited Bertha Peak in Big Bear, and was welcomed by vibrant springtime flowers everywhere, with snow capped peaks in the distance. Peaks such as Mount Baldy and Mount San Gorgonio still were covered in snow. But I had read Mount Baldy now had just just a small amount of snow left, and that the trail was mostly dry. It was time to get back up there, for my second ever hike up Mount Baldy, on Fathers Day, in honor of my Dad, who was gone too soon, due to heart disease.
One reason I started hiking all the time was for health. I had been a surfer for many years, but it was not until I started off walking, and hiking consistently, that I began to see dramatic changes in my physical health. Some never get to climb a mountain in their lifetime. I feel like every time I get a chance to get out in the mountains, it is truly a gift, to be able to walk around within God’s creation.
I left from Manker Flats trailhead around 9:45am, far later than I normally would ever head out on a long trek, such as this. I somehow imagined I would just float up the mountain with no effort, on pure determination. I wanted to steadily climb, without stopping, all the way to the peak on Ski Hut Trail, the steepest way up, next to the bowl.
On my way up to the Ski Hut which is about 2000 feet up from the trailhead, I glanced to my left to see this steep chute. I imagined it covered in snow and ice in winter, and what a harrowing experience it might be, to climb something like this. I was not ready for that kind of experience yet.
In the distance I could see the famous Baldy Bowl.
I finally came up up on theSki Hut, with just a switchback or two to go.
Gazing back towards Ontario and Big Horn Peaks, which are places I had climbed before, I was starting to feel right at home, in this wilderness. The more you visit a place like this, the less you want to leave it.
I finally crossed over the bowl, and entered a much more alpine zone.
I was now close to 9000 feet, and there was unmelted snow patches, all along the trail.
It was a cool experience to say the least, to cross the snow, so late in the season.
Looking back, I noticed clouds beginning to form. I realized it would be wise to make haste, lest a storm was brewing.
Mountains make their own weather, and at altitude, anything can happen. I came to a saddle covered in snow, and had 700 feet left of climbing to do.
I was proud to reach the summit once more, after several years.
Heading down the backbone there was even more snow, and this time I had to cross itl
I took my time heading through the snow patch, and it was not much of a concern.
Looking back towards Baldy, I could see how little snow was actually left.
The scree filled Baldy Bowl was full of climbers, in mountaineering gear all winter long, and was empty once again. Climbing steep loose granite is not my thing, nor anyone’s thing, so it’s best to stick to the trail, with a downloaded map from alltrails.
Looking into the valley, I realized how much greener it was here than last time I was here.
After the first bit of steep descent, the backbone levels off for a short while, as you pass over Mount Harwood. When I first climbed Mt Baldy, I made it 2 Peaks in a day, with the addition of this mountain. It was an extra few hundred few of climbing, and an extra 30 minutes or so of time.
There are a few places the drop offs are abrupt, and were you to stumble, you might tumbled hundreds of feet. The backbone trail is no joke.
I jogged my way towards the chair lifts of notch, down the remainder of the backbone. This section can be steep, and is full of loose rock. The trail splits off in a few places too, so you may end off on a side trail, if just ever briefly.
Stats
Todays hike which included a chair lift ride on down was 8.72 miles, and 3,949 feet of gain. In just over 5 hours, I had completed another summit of Mount Baldy, skipping the easy 2.5 miles down Baldy Rd to the trailhead. It was Fathers Day and the chair lifts were free with advance ticket purchase. So I took my first ever chair ride down.
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2023 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
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