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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a must-do hike. I don't know why anyone would choose another route unless they were going for the 6000' gain butt kicker from Baldy Village, but that's a whole different ball game. Don't take the wimpy ski lift on a Saturday. Take this trail, you wont regret it! The path is grand, it starts on the road to beautiful San Antonio Falls, and then moves onto a trail that will get your heart pounding the moment you set foot on it. Rapidly you'll reach the Ski Hut(8200') and cross the bowl. There are a couple of places where the trail is a little difficult to find, but if you look for the obvious, you should be able to manage. The last mile to the top is a butt-kicker, wait, make that the last half mile. I had to rest six times, phwew! If you prefer a steadier climb, reverse it and take the road. I sure wouldn't, the road is the only ugly part of the trip. The Devil's Backbone is stunning. The roads can get convoluted, just go down, use your intuition and a map. Trailhead: Take the 210 to Upland and exit Mountain Avenue heading North into the Angeles National Forest. Follow Mountain Avenue to the intersection with Shinn Road - veer left. Continue to Mt. Baldy Road, veer right onto Mt. Baldy Road and follow it for a few miles to Manker Flats. Be careful of your speed after Baldy Village - some of the turns are hairpin. Turn left at the sign for San Antonio Falls Road. Park here, but don't block the gate, people live and work past this locked gate. The trailhead is the road. Follow the road past San Antonio Falls. When you round the first corner after San Antonio Falls is no longer in view the trailhead for the Baldy Bowl/Sierra Ski Hut veers left off the road straight up the mountain. Sign the trail register (about 50 feet ahead and 25 feet up the trail) and it's up, up, and away. (Lat:34.28923 Lon:-117.64619) Trail Guides for Mt. Baldy(San Antonio) Manker Flats loop: Best Hikes With Dogs - Southern California by Allen Riedel (Mountaineers books) Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest (626)914-3790 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 31 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Jonathan C on 1/3/2010 Climb date Jan 2, 2010. This was a lot harder than I imagined. WX perfect/warm yesterday, made mistake of leaving crampons/ice axe in car. BRING THEM! I started at Manker Flats 1030am, walked the road to the Falls then to Baldy Notch (Ski Lift area). Then towards the backbone. Large patches of snow here. At about 9K ft you come to a very precarious spot either walk left along a 75 to 80 deg snow/ice area where if you fall or slide you are going to go around 2,500 feet. Instead climb up the rocks to the right. After here fast elevation gain to Harwood then down and a very steep climb to San Antonio. Crampons/axe needed here as I found the summit to be pretty much solid ice. Summit at 430pm. Then to the SkiHut and down by 730pm.
Reviewed by John Wesley on 12/29/2009 Climb date: Dec 22nd-From Baldy Village to the summit, starting at 6:00 a.m. The trail has some snow starting at Bear Flats, with crampons and ice axe necessary at an elevation of 7800-8000. The snow was firm and supported my weight. Approaching the summit (9100 +) the wind just howling, with gusts well above 40-50 mph. The temp was about 8-10 degrees, not counting wind-chill factor. Bringing extra layers of clothing is imperative. It was necessary to melt snow to drink as all my water froze. It also gets very dark early, and a lamp is needed by 4:30 p.m. or so. I did not get down until after 8:30 p.m. (though I took my time) This is still the most challenging hike I know in the region, especially in winter conditions. 
Reviewed by joeytheq on 11/23/2009 Two words - BUTT KICKER. I did Mt Whitney twice this summer as well as San Jacinto, Wilson and the Santa Ana's. I figured with several hikes in the last few months over 10,000 feet, this wouldn't be bad. WRONG! Did not expect such an elevation gain in such a short distance. Marion Mtn trail on San Jacinto is known as a steep trail.....this is steeper. Baldy is okay, not as pretty as San Jacinto or even the smaller Wilson, but the views are very nice, some great gnarly trees and lots of people you can talk to resting on the trail! If you want a hike that you will still feel a few days afterwards, this is the one.
Reviewed by Josh on 10/20/2009 Great Hike, perfect weather and some really nice views. Def. going back to try a different route
Reviewed by CK1 on 10/9/2009 Hiked the Ski Hut trail in early summer. Make sure that you look for the trail about 150-200 yards from the falls. The going is steep and strenuous. Make sure that you pace yourself and soon you will be at the Ski Hut. From there, make sure that you follow others through the boulder field to the trail up to the Bowl. Last 0.5 miles were hard but the views from the top were worth the pain and fatigue. Take the Devil's Backbone back and enjoy more spectacular views. 
Reviewed by patrick on 10/4/2009 Hiked there today! bout froze at the top with the wind. Its open now! 
Reviewed by Disappointed on 9/20/2009 Still closed due to station fire. Sign states that all Angeles Crest (San Gabriel Mountains) trail heads will remain closed until the fire is FULLY CONTAINED. I called they hinted at late next week...
Reviewed by CAI on 9/8/2009 Trails closed on Sunday, 9/6 due to "Station" fire. Signs say trails to remain closed until fire contained. Call before you go. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||