Route Climbed: Ascend Devil's backbone, descend backbone and down Manker canyon Date Climbed: November 20 2004
Icy conditions, beautiful day till afternoon when the storm came in. No luck on the missing hiker. Manker canyon is no short cut off the devil's backbone but there is a cool little waterfall near the bottom.
Route Climbed: Baldy Notch/ Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: May 6, 2000
A real nice hike, especially from the top of ski slopes on. On this day there were about 30 people enjoying the nice view and spring weather on the summit.
Route Climbed: Bear Canyon/Baldy Village Trail Date Climbed: May 30, 1998
This is the best mountain in the San Gabriel range for anybody who has to get proper endurance training for higher peaks. I am referring to hiking up and down the SAME trail (6000 ft altitude difference). Baldy Village is less than an hour away by car from downtown LA and yet one encounters very few people during the hike.
First climbed Mt Baldy during a year of abundant precipitation in southern California so that I encountered lots of snow in the upper part of the mountain even late in June!
I went back to Mt Baldy many times for training and the day-long hikes served me well in preparation for loftier peaks, such as Mont Blanc, Grand Teton, Matterhorn and even Kilimanjaro.
Route Climbed: Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: October 30, 2004
We took the ski lift up to Baldy Notch, had some tea and then headed to the top. Snow was everywhere. I later regreted leaving my ice ax in my truck, but it was still doable without it with extra caution. We climbed the ridge which was in part challenging, but also fun. Later on the snow started to melt on the south side, but as we continued to higher elevation, it became more solid and we even found some patches of ice. We met a few climbers/hikers that day, none of them made it to the summit as far as I know. We too decided to turn around half way on the final summit approach. We were running out of time to get back to the ski lift, plus the wind started to pick up and it was rather chilly. We still managed to brew some tea and take pictures. On the way down, the snow was frozen in some places, but otherwise in good condition. We made it back to the ski lift in no time and were happy to spend such a great day in such a beautiful weather on the mountain.
Route Climbed: Dear Canyon Date Climbed: April 26, 2004
I'd been looking up at Baldy all week while I was in Pomona for a trade show and since I had to work the weekend, I took this Monday off and got a little peak-bagging done!
Parked on the street in front of the ranger station in town and took off up the road on the left toward the trail. Fantastic old growth Incense Cedars - got to be about the biggest anywhere in this canyon.
The trail is a bit overgrown in places - had to squeeze sideways to avoid getting scratched up - more of our forest pass dollars NOT at work.
Made the summit in 4 1/2 hours - It was 102 in Ontario that day and the summit was a surprisingly cool 60 or so with a foot of snow or more in places on the top. Decided to make a loop out of it after talking to a couple of guys at the summit who told me what trail to take down to do that. Started back by going due south on a trail that then turned east and dropped down a steep slope. Ended up at Manker Flat and had to run about 4 more miles down the road to get to my car - A guy I passed on the trail and talked to briefly caught up with me and gave me a ride the last couple of miles - George, wherever you are - thanks! - I was really tired, whether I admitted it at the time or not!
Beautiful place. Will do it again when I get the chance.
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 6 September 2004
Beautiful climb with only a couple of hikers on the way up. I got to the top just as the the winner in the 35th annual Mt. Baldy Run to the Top crossed the finish line. I was soon joined by more than 500 runners running up the trail from the ski lift. I descended against the tide tide of runners and was back at the car 4.5 hours after I started. This was my 100th County High Point.
Route Climbed: Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: Circa 1964
I remember the bent over metal support poles along the steep and narrow backbone section. I have skied Baldy in the winter when I lived in Los Angeles.
Route Climbed: Bear Canyon, Manker Flats Date Climbed: July 24, 2004; September 2004
Wowsers. What a beast. Did this 6000', 6 mile climb as a training hike for Rainier - and those switchbacks in the mountain desert the first 3 miles or so got me. I was totally humbled when I had to stop periodically to catch my breath. Reached the summit in 3 hours, back down in 2.5.
Have summited at least fifty different times. A great way to spend a Saturday morning. For something you'll never forget, try an ascent by full moon and chill on the summit til sunrise.
Route Climbed: Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: October 1999
The Backbone Trail was intimidating in some places for an inexperienced hiker...steep sides that fall away for what looks like miles...but it was a thrill to get to the top. I forgot about getting back down! Fun trip that I'd love to do again.
Route Climbed: Baldy Notch/Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: 6/20/2002
I enjoyed the area today. I took the road up to the ski area, and visited Thunder, Harwood and finally Baldy. I was very happy to see a herd of Bighorn Sheep up there and snapped some fine photos. Lovely area.
ridgeline - Nov 25, 2004 12:53 am
Route Climbed: Ascend Devil's backbone, descend backbone and down Manker canyon Date Climbed: November 20 2004Icy conditions, beautiful day till afternoon when the storm came in. No luck on the missing hiker. Manker canyon is no short cut off the devil's backbone but there is a cool little waterfall near the bottom.
Steve Larson - Nov 22, 2004 12:46 pm
Route Climbed: Ski hut trail Date Climbed: November 20, 2004Climbed with a group of twelve searching for a hiker who went missing on November 1. No luck. We just got out before the weather closed in.
bennovak - Nov 17, 2004 4:24 pm
Route Climbed: Baldy Notch/ Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: May 6, 2000A real nice hike, especially from the top of ski slopes on. On this day there were about 30 people enjoying the nice view and spring weather on the summit.
JanG - Nov 16, 2004 4:36 pm
Route Climbed: Bear Canyon/Baldy Village Trail Date Climbed: May 30, 1998This is the best mountain in the San Gabriel range for anybody who has to get proper endurance training for higher peaks. I am referring to hiking up and down the SAME trail (6000 ft altitude difference). Baldy Village is less than an hour away by car from downtown LA and yet one encounters very few people during the hike.
First climbed Mt Baldy during a year of abundant precipitation in southern California so that I encountered lots of snow in the upper part of the mountain even late in June!
I went back to Mt Baldy many times for training and the day-long hikes served me well in preparation for loftier peaks, such as Mont Blanc, Grand Teton, Matterhorn and even Kilimanjaro.
usarock69 - Nov 3, 2004 6:44 pm
Route Climbed: Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: October 30, 2004We took the ski lift up to Baldy Notch, had some tea and then headed to the top. Snow was everywhere. I later regreted leaving my ice ax in my truck, but it was still doable without it with extra caution. We climbed the ridge which was in part challenging, but also fun. Later on the snow started to melt on the south side, but as we continued to higher elevation, it became more solid and we even found some patches of ice. We met a few climbers/hikers that day, none of them made it to the summit as far as I know. We too decided to turn around half way on the final summit approach. We were running out of time to get back to the ski lift, plus the wind started to pick up and it was rather chilly. We still managed to brew some tea and take pictures. On the way down, the snow was frozen in some places, but otherwise in good condition. We made it back to the ski lift in no time and were happy to spend such a great day in such a beautiful weather on the mountain.
Shano - Oct 28, 2004 3:12 pm
Route Climbed: various Date Climbed: spring 2004great training for getting up over 10k in SoCal.
Too bad all the crowds trash the place on snowy winter weekends. Someone should make a law...
Don Nelsen - Sep 24, 2004 8:39 pm
Route Climbed: Dear Canyon Date Climbed: April 26, 2004I'd been looking up at Baldy all week while I was in Pomona for a trade show and since I had to work the weekend, I took this Monday off and got a little peak-bagging done!
Parked on the street in front of the ranger station in town and took off up the road on the left toward the trail. Fantastic old growth Incense Cedars - got to be about the biggest anywhere in this canyon.
The trail is a bit overgrown in places - had to squeeze sideways to avoid getting scratched up - more of our forest pass dollars NOT at work.
Made the summit in 4 1/2 hours - It was 102 in Ontario that day and the summit was a surprisingly cool 60 or so with a foot of snow or more in places on the top. Decided to make a loop out of it after talking to a couple of guys at the summit who told me what trail to take down to do that. Started back by going due south on a trail that then turned east and dropped down a steep slope. Ended up at Manker Flat and had to run about 4 more miles down the road to get to my car - A guy I passed on the trail and talked to briefly caught up with me and gave me a ride the last couple of miles - George, wherever you are - thanks! - I was really tired, whether I admitted it at the time or not!
Beautiful place. Will do it again when I get the chance.
GlennG - Sep 21, 2004 1:15 pm
Route Climbed: Bear Flat-Out Icehouse canyon Date Climbed: September 12, 2004Beautiful along devils backbone, had been up multiple times and never seen icehouse canyon, worth it.
pusdkq6ee - Sep 20, 2004 10:47 am
Route Climbed: BEAR CANYON TRAIL Date Climbed: 9/18/04It is a steep, long hike. about 7 mile one way, and 5000' elevation gain; good for training hike to Mt. Whitney.
thebeave7 - Sep 19, 2004 7:05 pm
Route Climbed: Hut Trail Date Climbed: Sept 16th, 2004The first mountain of our brutal 8000m Challenge. A lovely sunrise hike, and a fun start to an amazing day.
Dennis Poulin - Sep 14, 2004 5:50 pm
Route Climbed: West Ridge Date Climbed: 6 September 2004Beautiful climb with only a couple of hikers on the way up. I got to the top just as the the winner in the 35th annual Mt. Baldy Run to the Top crossed the finish line. I was soon joined by more than 500 runners running up the trail from the ski lift. I descended against the tide tide of runners and was back at the car 4.5 hours after I started. This was my 100th County High Point.
Al - Sep 8, 2004 11:17 am
Route Climbed: Up San Antonio ski hut trail, down by Devils Backbone & Baldy Notch to Manker Flats Date Climbed: Jun 27, 04tahoeberne - Aug 13, 2004 11:29 pm
Route Climbed: Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: Circa 1964I remember the bent over metal support poles along the steep and narrow backbone section. I have skied Baldy in the winter when I lived in Los Angeles.
n8jojohnson - Aug 7, 2004 11:04 pm
Route Climbed: Bear Canyon, Manker Flats Date Climbed: July 24, 2004; September 2004Wowsers. What a beast. Did this 6000', 6 mile climb as a training hike for Rainier - and those switchbacks in the mountain desert the first 3 miles or so got me. I was totally humbled when I had to stop periodically to catch my breath. Reached the summit in 3 hours, back down in 2.5.
t511a - Jul 21, 2004 8:19 pm
Route Climbed: All Date Climbed: Since 1997Have summited at least fifty different times. A great way to spend a Saturday morning. For something you'll never forget, try an ascent by full moon and chill on the summit til sunrise.
Mgross - Jul 19, 2004 6:10 pm
Route Climbed: Baldy Bowl Date Climbed: June 5, 2004A nice hike with good easterly views. Lots of people on the summit. I highly recommend doing this in Spring or fall. The Summer is a bit too warm.
MelbaToast - Jul 7, 2004 1:46 am
Route Climbed: Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: October 1999The Backbone Trail was intimidating in some places for an inexperienced hiker...steep sides that fall away for what looks like miles...but it was a thrill to get to the top. I forgot about getting back down! Fun trip that I'd love to do again.
pusdkq6ee - Jul 4, 2004 7:28 pm
Route Climbed: hike up: Skit Hut Trail, hike down: Devils Backbone Date Climbed: July 4 2004Every time going up there is an excitment.; good training hike. beautifull view eventhough there are many smog in S. Ca. GO THERE AGAIN AND AGAIN
pusdkq6ee - Jul 2, 2004 10:17 am
Route Climbed: skit hut trail Date Climbed: June 26 2004It is very steep. I hiked up before; may be I am older now. It was a good hike.
psudkq6ee
RobertCharlesAltman - Jun 22, 2004 12:57 am
Route Climbed: Baldy Notch/Devil's Backbone Date Climbed: 6/20/2002I enjoyed the area today. I took the road up to the ski area, and visited Thunder, Harwood and finally Baldy. I was very happy to see a herd of Bighorn Sheep up there and snapped some fine photos. Lovely area.