Great Outdoors Orange County/Long Beach presents
Mount Baldy Day Hike
Saturday, October 19, 2019 starting at 8 AM
.JPG)
Contact: Lance Whitmier E-mail: LanceLyleWayne@gmail.com
Mobile: 657-250-5466
Come with us to Mount Baldy, the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains. We will be leaving from the trail head at Manker Flats north of the Mount Baldy Village. An Adventure Pass or National Park Pass is required to park. The hike will begin at 8:00 AM. If coming from the west on the 210, exit Baseline Rd. and turn left at the first signal and then right on Padua. Then right on Mt. Baldy Rd. When you come to Manker Flats (the road has a median there, drive to near the end of the median), you can find parking along the road. If you arrive at the ski area, you have gone too far.
From Manker Flats, we will follow the mountain road to San Antonio Falls which flows year round. Continuing on the road, at six tenths of a mile, we will hit the trail up through San Antonio Canyon. Our next stop will be a the Sierra Club's ski hut. After a short break there, we will continue across a rocky area, and then climb up the canyon to a ridge. From there, we will have a steep climb to the summit at 10,064 feet.
On a clear day, it is possible to see as far as the Channel Islands, Mount San Gorgonio, Mount San Jacinto, the Santa Monica Mountains, and far out into the desert.
At the summit, we will take a 30-45 minute lunch break and enjoy the views. After lunch, we will descend via the Devil's Backbone trail. This is a spectacular trail that descends to the Mount Baldy Ski Area. The trail is a narrow spine with dramatic drop offs on both sides,
When we reach the Mount Baldy Ski Area lodge, options are available for food and/or drinks in the restaurant for those who wish to do so. Then we will hike down the ski area access road, back to our cars at Manker Flats. (Hikers may also opt to take the chairlift down.) Total gain/loss is 3,900 feet. Total mileage is 11.25 miles.
For this trip, you will need a good pair of hiking boots/shoes. This is a difficult trip but so worthwhile. Recommendation is to carry at least three liters of water. Click here to get your ten essentials you will need for the hike. An Adventure Pass or National Park Pass is required for parking. For a list of vendors, click here. Your trip leader will be checking people's supplies to be certain that you are prepared for the hike. There is no fee for this hike.
