GlennD - Jun 30, 2020 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2020
Baldy & West Baldy
Up Bear Canyon, down Baldy Bowl.
tarol - Dec 27, 2013 2:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2013
Day hike to Bear Flat
Only went about 1/2 mile above Bear Flat. The sun was intense and the trail very steep and not very scenic, so we turned around. Below Bear Flat the trail was shady and scenic and we enjoyed that lower section.
this is a really nice alternative to the crowds on the Ski Hut and Baldy Notch routes. You can also add West Baldy to it. But don't count on the 3 hours and 10 minutes. That is quite fast for this 6 1/4 mile nothing but up hill 5700' gain trail. Except for the two guys training for an ultra-marathon, no one I saw on the trail made it in uner 4 hours.
The trail is well marked except in Bear Flat where you have to look for the left turn across the creek. And there are really great views.
Deb - Jun 7, 2012 12:59 am Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2012
Moonlight Ascent
Hardy hike after sunset to spend the night on Baldy and descend Bear Cyn Trail in the morning. Great work-out and a great bottle of wine with cheese on the windy summit. Good times as usual with Heather.
MtnDoser - Nov 18, 2011 8:06 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
Day after a storm
Nice trek in the snow. Very cold up top. Took longer than expected due to snow. Loved every minute of it!
I really liked this trail! Sort of a time trial to see how I'd do on tougher hikes (Iron Mt., C2C, etc).
jspears0001 - Jan 15, 2010 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2009
Start early
First time up Baldy I went via the Devil's backbone and came down around 2pm. Hike was good, but man start early...it must have been 110 out, I'm bald, and I forgot sunscreen. Enough said.
farrisgl - Mar 22, 2009 1:34 am Date Climbed: Jan 23, 2003
Completed several times once on Snowshoes
Climbed this great route several times, including once on snow shoes starting at about the 5,500 foot level, just a couple of days after a storm. No tracks but what a tough slug up and down the mountain.
MelitoIrpino - Nov 23, 2008 10:00 pm Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2008
First time on this trail
After doing the Ski Hut and Devil's Backbone about 20 times over the years I finally gave this trail a try. It was a perfect day; slightly cool and no wind to speak of. It took me about 3 hours and 10 minutes up and 2 hours 15 down. I really enjoyed this trail, not too many people on the trail and a very good workout. Not sure if I would put this one as more difficult as Vivian Creek. I'll definitely do this trail again.
SoCalHiker - Oct 5, 2008 11:42 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2008
Adverse weather conditions
Started in the village at very light drizzle. Between Bear flat and the ridge fog with some sunny patches. The last 2 miles to the summit very, and I mean very strong winds and rain at almost freezing temperatures. Had to take cover in one of the rock shelters on the summit; returned via ski hut since I was afraid of the winds on the backbone. Intense but rewarding experience.
I've done this trail a few times including once in the Baldy Peaks 50K ultramarathon where it was the route to the first ascent of Baldy in the race. The second ascent was via the Ski Hut trail.
Did this one in a snow storm. Topped out in 80 mph winds, and white out. Its long and dreadful in all seasons.
itpimps - Dec 8, 2006 4:21 am Date Climbed: Dec 2, 2006
Long but rewarding
This route is a great alternative to the Ski Hut route. It was quite windy for the last mile or two since you are quite exposed. Hiking this route gives much better views along the way. I'll be sure to do this in the summer :)
GlennD - Jun 30, 2020 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2020
Baldy & West BaldyUp Bear Canyon, down Baldy Bowl.
tarol - Dec 27, 2013 2:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 20, 2013
Day hike to Bear FlatOnly went about 1/2 mile above Bear Flat. The sun was intense and the trail very steep and not very scenic, so we turned around. Below Bear Flat the trail was shady and scenic and we enjoyed that lower section.
jerryn - Sep 15, 2013 5:57 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2013
A Great Trailthis is a really nice alternative to the crowds on the Ski Hut and Baldy Notch routes. You can also add West Baldy to it. But don't count on the 3 hours and 10 minutes. That is quite fast for this 6 1/4 mile nothing but up hill 5700' gain trail. Except for the two guys training for an ultra-marathon, no one I saw on the trail made it in uner 4 hours.
The trail is well marked except in Bear Flat where you have to look for the left turn across the creek. And there are really great views.
Deb - Jun 7, 2012 12:59 am Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2012
Moonlight AscentHardy hike after sunset to spend the night on Baldy and descend Bear Cyn Trail in the morning. Great work-out and a great bottle of wine with cheese on the windy summit. Good times as usual with Heather.
MtnDoser - Nov 18, 2011 8:06 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
Day after a stormNice trek in the snow. Very cold up top. Took longer than expected due to snow. Loved every minute of it!
klotito - Sep 20, 2011 5:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2011
prep for "crazy hikes"I really liked this trail! Sort of a time trial to see how I'd do on tougher hikes (Iron Mt., C2C, etc).
jspears0001 - Jan 15, 2010 6:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2009
Start earlyFirst time up Baldy I went via the Devil's backbone and came down around 2pm. Hike was good, but man start early...it must have been 110 out, I'm bald, and I forgot sunscreen. Enough said.
farrisgl - Mar 22, 2009 1:34 am Date Climbed: Jan 23, 2003
Completed several times once on SnowshoesClimbed this great route several times, including once on snow shoes starting at about the 5,500 foot level, just a couple of days after a storm. No tracks but what a tough slug up and down the mountain.
MelitoIrpino - Nov 23, 2008 10:00 pm Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2008
First time on this trailAfter doing the Ski Hut and Devil's Backbone about 20 times over the years I finally gave this trail a try. It was a perfect day; slightly cool and no wind to speak of. It took me about 3 hours and 10 minutes up and 2 hours 15 down. I really enjoyed this trail, not too many people on the trail and a very good workout. Not sure if I would put this one as more difficult as Vivian Creek. I'll definitely do this trail again.
SoCalHiker - Oct 5, 2008 11:42 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2008
Adverse weather conditionsStarted in the village at very light drizzle. Between Bear flat and the ridge fog with some sunny patches. The last 2 miles to the summit very, and I mean very strong winds and rain at almost freezing temperatures. Had to take cover in one of the rock shelters on the summit; returned via ski hut since I was afraid of the winds on the backbone. Intense but rewarding experience.
Augie Medina - Jun 23, 2008 2:28 pm
Part of an UltraI've done this trail a few times including once in the Baldy Peaks 50K ultramarathon where it was the route to the first ascent of Baldy in the race. The second ascent was via the Ski Hut trail.
EManBevHills - Apr 28, 2008 12:42 pm Date Climbed: Apr 27, 2008
A Grand DayExpected a scorcher but it was quite pleasant.
Crampons were not needed.
Vic Hanson - Apr 1, 2007 4:35 pm
Great Hike!Did it sometime in 2002 for my second Baldy summit, the first time was from Manker Flats to the ski lodge and Devil's Backbone.
EManBevHills - Jan 19, 2007 1:27 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2006
With Moki (Dog)Will Wyles' dog is a trooper. Where's the shade?
MtnAv8r - Jan 13, 2007 6:51 pm
Long and Never EndingDid this one in a snow storm. Topped out in 80 mph winds, and white out. Its long and dreadful in all seasons.
itpimps - Dec 8, 2006 4:21 am Date Climbed: Dec 2, 2006
Long but rewardingThis route is a great alternative to the Ski Hut route. It was quite windy for the last mile or two since you are quite exposed. Hiking this route gives much better views along the way. I'll be sure to do this in the summer :)
SkydiveKen - Jul 14, 2006 3:38 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2005
work outFirst time on this trail. Tough route but not too much traffic. Have to try this in winter. PICS