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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 20 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Bob M. on 5/10/2008 Great day for a hike !!!(Sat 5/10) Started out warm in the parking lot then it became increasingly cooler and windier. Lots of wind on the ridge line, which dissipated as I approached the summit. Cool on the summit, but not cold. LLLOts of people today (@#$%^&!!). Ran into ALL the "usual suspects" getting prepared for their big summer trips (Whitney, Kilimanjaro, Machu Pichu)etc... Made good time 2Hrs.39min. to the summit from the gate/parking area. Snow is almost all gone which made the hike even easier, but will probably bring more people (!@#$%^)Oh well had a GREAT day anyways !!!
Reviewed by Bob M. on 5/8/2008 Went up this morning for speed hike to the hut. Weather was great and not a cloud in the sky. Saw no one on the trail the entire time. (2hrs. 20 minutes). "Kimba49" Eaddress is faulty try again)
Reviewed by KimS on 5/5/2008 Lovely first Baldy hike of the year via ski Hut Trail then Devil's Backbone. Lots of people on top and on the trail. Met and spoke with a few hikers along the way (hi BobM!kimba49.spaces.live.com)Snow was not a problem on this hike...at least not during the warm daylite hours. Mostly thin covereage under the trees as discussed in previous post...could be avoided completely if desired. Could have been a little chilly if wind had picked up any more. All in all a great day, hike and company!
Reviewed by Zé on 5/5/2008 Went up today staring at 9:15, took 2.5 hours to the top. As said before, just some snow past the ski hut when ascending to the ridge, and then a little more up toward the top...but the snow is not a hassle and you could avoid the snow entirely if you really want to.
Reviewed by Bob M. on 5/5/2008 Went up early this morning and found the weather to be a little cold, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. The trail is getting clearer by the day with the warmer weather and the snow is almost all gone, except across the bowl under the trees. No need for gators or crampons as whats left of the snow is shallow and soft. The summit was cold and clear and the winds were mild (about 15-20MPH)at best. "LOTS" of people were coming up while I was decending. (At one point 30 in a group !!!!!). Met a couple of "very" informatitve and experienced hikers (Kim & Sarah) along the trail and exchanged hiking ideas. Overall a GREAT day for a hike and still got home in time for the Lakers game (WIN) !!!!! 
Reviewed by Jay on 5/2/2008 The weather was perfect, mid-sixties; with a cool refreshing breeze. There were spots with snow, but you can definitely find the trail. Take you time. Enjoy to chirping birds and the quietude. Even first timers can handle this trail, but give yourself a full day. I did it with a good friend and we shared a similar pace. It was our first time out in a while and we managed to do the loop from Manker to Baldy and then the Devil's backbone to Baldy Notch and on down the winding road in a little less than 7 hrs with a 35 min stop for lunch at the Ski Hut and a 35 min well earned rest on top. After the backbone though, once you get to the ski slope the trail becomes a service road, easy going but kind of boring after the awe prior.
Reviewed by Andrew on 5/2/2008 Hiked today from San Antonio Falls to top of Mt Baldy via Baldy Bowl Trail, then back down via Devil's Backbone. There were some snowfields to cross, but nothing requiring more than your hiking boots. Hazy looking out over Riverside and Mojave. Temperature was perfect, no wind at the top but nice cool breeze coming down. Looks like cactii will be in bloom in a week or so. Took half-hour lunch at ski hut, and half hour breather at the top. Total time just under 7 hours.
Reviewed by Ali on 5/1/2008 I hope it's not inappropriate to ask a Q instead of posting a review. How is the snowpack from the ski hut to the top? Are gaters and/or heavy boots needed? Our target date is weekend of May 10th. Thanks. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||