San Antonio or as Southern Californians fondly call it Mt. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for your vehicle while parked the the trailhead. He is most certainly at the peak facing Westward. The Top of the Notch restaurant and bar is a great spot for refueling. Not only was this a great place to camp but also the trail-head start to Mt. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. From the Notch, you can cheat and take the ski lift down. (10,064) elevation. Date & Time: Thursday May 17, 2012 7:30AM to 5:30PM 10 hours. Soon we heard the rushing water of San Antonio Falls, a yearly flowing waterfall. Mt. Baldy Hike Devil's Backbone - YouTube Not far from Los Angeles, this trail is heavily trafficked. Gloves Devil's Backbone, Mt. San Antonio (Baldy) Trail, Incredible Experience Peak Elevation: 10,064 Scarf or Facemask This is a strenuous varation to climb Baldy, it has some nice views on both sides of the ridge and if you want some solitude from the weekend crowds, this is a good option. The Devil's Backbone is the nickname for the summit of Mount San Antonio, though better known as Mount Baldy. Speaking of right now, the hour of reckoning was here, the anticipated Devils Backbone part of the hike was upon us. For the easiest route, follow the access road leading toward the top of the left-side ski lifts. Please try to have this prior to the day of the hike. This hike is the easiest way up to Mt Baldy, however remembers it starts and stays in high elevation, so some people may experience altitude sickness. Baldy Road. Mt Baldy - Ski Hut Trail 02/16 : r/socalhiking - reddit 40 Likes, TikTok video from kepurba (@kepurba): "Part 4: Hiking Mt. After spotting Mt. Hello there Will. Required fields are marked *, Notice: It seems you have Javascript disabled in your Browser. We can carpool/caravan fromthe meeting point. Read the Hikes Details we link at the very top of this page. If you do not take enough water or are not appropriately equipped for this hike, you will be turned away from doing this hike with us even if you show up. Please note, that we have high, experienced expectations for Level 9hikers. That snow covered area in the distance is Mt Baldy's lower, Western Summit. University of Missouri-St. Louis Libraries. He had done this hike many times before, appeared very experienced, and was kind enough to hike with us to show us the proper route to take back down. The Notch also has 600 zip lines that are 70 above the ground. Befitting its "Old Baldy" name, the summit is a bare dome covered with rocks and gravel. However, the fear turns to exhilaration mixed with vast shots of adrenaline, not too mention for me a spiritual awakening! As we approached our campground walking back along Mt. Besides a hearty breakfast, I would highly suggest an early start when doing this hike, not only due to the time it takes to complete but if you are attempting this hike in the summer months it can and does get hot. 76. The drive from Encinitas to our destination of the Manker Flats campground in the Angeles National Forest is about 117 miles or 2.5 hours. This is a good training for anyone preparing for more advanced hikes such as Mt. Follow the Devil's Backbone Trail. Sam, the 74 year old, was also very impressed with our hiking sticks, two pine poles that my Son had carved from a past Christmas tree as well as a Torrey Pine branch he had found! As we approached the San Gabriel Mountains we saw off in the distance the ominous silhouette of Mt. When you take the turn off to the left off of the fire road, head up the trail that goes to the Sierra Club Ski Hut. Aurelia Squire Harwood was a conservationist, educator, and first female President of the Sierra Club. As far as creature comforts at Manker Flats, there are flush toilets, running water, no showers. Baldy, also known as Mount San Antonio, stands at 10,064 feet and is the highest point of the San Gabriel Mountains. 16 Miles. Thanks. Food and Water: Each of us brought 150 ounces of water, a bottle of Gatorade, lunch, energy snacks, 2 oranges. Level: Hard; Distance: 14 miles (out and back) Elevation gain: 4269 ft; Time: 8.5 hours; Being part of the ascent up Mount Baldy, Devil's Backbone is an especially challenging trail to hike and should only be done by experienced hikers. Baldy. Baldy, across neighboring Mt. Pretty much snow all the way up beyond the ski-hut, recommend crampons/microspikes and an early start when the pack is somewhat firm. It follows the access road for about 2 miles to the group of buildings at the top of the first ski lift. Beanie After about 10mins you'll see a sign and there are 3 different paths to different hikes (3 tree top, Mt. in 22 reviews, From here, you can choose to ride the lift down or hike another 3 miles down to Manker Flats. in 7 reviews, The first section starts off paved up until San Antonio Falls which is roughly a half mile up. in 5 reviews. Dynamite work ethic however with a warm customer service specialty! The last stretch is a steep loose rock. Baldy Road. He guided us to the proper route along the trail and hiked off ahead of us down the mountain. 11. Trekking Poles, FOR COLDER SEASONS: One of these five really made an impression not only on us but everyone else who met him as well. These are horseshoe-shaped piles of stone that are just high enough (2-3 feet) to protect campers from the wind. In season, there may be many cars parked here, but there is ample parking space. One of the guys yells out, Are we having fun yet?my son asks, Are we close?one of the guys points up and says, Right there! The 210 FWY brings you closer to the Mountain and less city driving. I recommend the San Antonio Ski Hut Trail, which has a sign along the way down that says Baldy Bowl Trail, for a descent route. The Register Ridge Trail runs perpendicular into the Devil's Backbone Trail, 1 mile east of the D.BBone Trail sign at the top of Mt. San Gabriel Mountains. We continued our winding descent through this beautiful mountain scenery. Objective: Summit Mt. Hike-ability level:Difficultbut doable! #1We are going to the summit of Mt. (37), Comments In the summer, the loose and slippery scree is treacherous. Hiking the Devil's Backbone, Mt. Baldy - Ramble State (an Aerobic Excersize), How Hiking can Kill Anxiety, Depression and Build Resistance, Rattlesnakes on San Diego County Hiking Trails, This Vet Overcame His PTSD By Hiking 12 US National Parks, Why Hiking is the Perfect Mind and Body Soul Workout. Microspikesor IceTrekkers, shoe chain traction (Highly recommended) Mt. Baldy - Devil's Backbone Trail Day Hike A short side trip to San Antonio Falls is worth the minimal effort. It was very hard for us because we do not go prepared at all! So many nicknames for one mountain, I know! Baldy is its first peak. Not my choice, as I was lost in a whiteout) and summertime (May 22, 2020. http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/, https://www.facebook.com/latrailhikers/events, http://socalhiker.net/hiking-mt-san-antonio-baldy-loop-trail/, http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/11/22/hiking-mount-san-antonio-mount-baldy-and-mount-harwood/, http://www.everytrail.com/guide/mt-san-antonio-baldy-loop, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_San_Antonio. On a hot day this road can be quite hot and exposed so bring sunscreen! Its one thing to see this beauty from the safety of distance, it is quite another to feel it and experience it as you hike right through it crossing on this hairpin trail! Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' 3.3 miles: Turn around when reaching West Baldy. Occasionally, there is live music at the Notch, such as Elevated Solstices reggae and roots rock lineup. As mentioned earlier, the trail-head start was right across from the campground on Mt. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. If time is limited, consider hiking to Mt. Devil's Backbone is a trail that stretches along the ridge of the mountain east of the Mt. San Antonio! 3. Turn left again at Mt. Head east on the 210, and exit Baseline Road in Claremont. Perseverance and sensing the top is near motivates and drives you past your screaming calves and thighs and airless lungs the final 1/4 of a mile. San Antonio, each offering their own unique challenge, the one we choose included the infamous, Devils Backbone on the ascent and the Ski Hut trail on the descent. Dan's Hiking Pages: Mt. Baldy - SimpsonCity If you have them, gaiters will help keep snow out of your socks/show opening. Fee/Book a Session Coaching Sessions: Telehealth, Park, or Trail Hikes The spine-tingling hike along a tantalizing spine starts from Baldy Notch. Baldy via the Devils Backbone as an out and back, with or without the ski lift. Take the Mountain Ave. / Mount Baldy exit from either freeway, which is located in the city of Upland and head north towards the mountains. My son and I both commented how this part of the adventure had been the toughest which I attribute to the fact that we had been hiking for nearly 9 miles, with a little more than two to go. San Antonio Devil's Backbone Ridge - Camino of Death Image Gallery - 2 Images. From there, you walk down the rest of the ridge and meet the normal Devils Backbone Trail on your left, continuing to traverse Mt. 13 miles round trip. Soon we were hearing the roar of San Antonio Falls, the same falls we had first encountered on our ascent. DEVIL'S BACKBONE - 198 Photos & 61 Reviews - Hiking - 6777 Mt Baldy Rd, Mount Baldy, CA - Yelp Devil's Backbone 61 reviews Unclaimed Hiking See 201 photos Third Stream Falls Old Baldy Ice House Canyon Trail Mount Baldy San Antonio Falls Iron Mountain Via Heaton Flats Mount Baden-Powell Trail Lake Gregory Regional Park Sunset Peak Hike Mount Baldy and the Devil's Backbone has been on my to do list ever since my husband and I moved to Los Angeles. We then follow the ski run next to the ski lift and then hike the Devils Backbone to the summit. The Devil's Backbone is the nickname for the summit of Mount San Antonio, though better known as Mount Baldy. When my son and I had convinced ourselves, he was doing much of the convincing, that we were going to do this hike we had two goals in mind. Devil's Backbone Trail is 3.3-miles long with 2,350 feet of elevation gain, and can be reached several ways: From the summit of Mount Baldy after hiking 4.5 miles up Baldy Bowl Trail as part of the 11.3-mile Mount Baldy Loop By riding the Mount Baldy ski lift up 1,500 feet in elevation to Baldy Notch If he wasnt taking everyones picture with his own camera, he was offering us Korean foods he had brought to the summit with him as snacks. The feeling of accomplishment is like none other! Harwood (0.2 miles further). Judging from trail wear, most people go straight up a steeper ski slope. : No. Contact the ski resort directly for more information and booking. The views are unreal! We take your safety quite seriously, and would not like for you to attend a hike youre not ready for. Adding microspikes to your shoes will help in keep best traction with snow (highly recommended). You can see the desert and the city of Barstow, Los Angeles in the distance and I have been told on a very clear day, the island of Catalina. It follows the edge of a narrow ridge (the Devil's Backbone) and then snakes along the edge of some steep slopes. Hiker dies, several hurt in falls near Mt. Baldy over weekend Ohhh Mt. Approx 14 Miles. At one point the trail branches off and down into a valley. In this clockwise loop, you take the Ski Hut Trail to the summit, follow the Devils Backbone to the Notch, and take the fireroad back to the trailhead. Start: Devils Backbone Trail connects Baldy Notch with the peak, and is 2.8 miles long with 2,269 of elevation gain. Harwood. Arriving mid-afternoon at the Manker Flats Campground,which was to be our home for the next two nights, we set up camp. Your Ultimate Guide to Hiking Mount Baldy - She Dreams Of Alpine 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. If you happen to find it, please email me at dr_feng@yahoo.com. It could get very cold (winds) and the next minute get hot so be prepared!!! Road will dead end into the ski area parking lot. Baldy, and West Baldy along the same razor sharp ridge. Im imagining its like a regular ski lift that comes up behind you and you sit on it. 0.46 miles: At the junction sign Round Valley 2 , turn right and hike along Long Valley Creek. At the end of Falls Road, the path makes a big U-turn at San Antonio Falls. My choice, as I wanted to experience one more time the thrill of completing the true Devils Backbone Ridge). There is no source of water after you pass the Notch Restaurant and the ridge is almost always windy and exposed to sun. We went through the Devils Backbone and the pictures that are shown online is not the scary part! Devil's Backbone, Mt. This is intended for hikers who havehiked with us on a Level 7 hike or higher . Shasta), with steep slopes running down on both sides. When the path levels off, the Devils Backbone Trail becomes a narrow ridgeline spine with significant drop-offs on each side. Some people choose to start hiking from here and hike straight up beneath the ski lifts, but this trail is unnecessarily steep and loose, and signs warn that the parking lot gate is locked at 6:30pm. The trailhead is located off of Mount Baldy Road. Mountain Ave. will turn into Mt Baldy Road and dead end into the Ski Area Parking lot. Mt. Baldy - Devil's Backbone ORIG - LA Trail Hikers In fact the first 1.5 miles down the mountain proved much more hazardous than the previous 6.8 miles up as I lost my footing twice. Baldy in the Summer #mtbaldy #mtsanantonio #hiking #mountainclimbing #sixpackofpeaks #socalhiking #socal #solohiker #femalehiker #outdoors". Baldy in the Summer Part 4 Down - Jay Sean. From Baldy Notch, you take a very steep trail up towards the beginning of the Devils backbone. (76), Climber's Log Entries Manchester Preserve an Island of Natural Beauty, Health Benefits of Hiking ! Baldy. At the summit are several crude rock windbreaks. What is Hiker Therapy and how did it evolve? You will come to a distinct flat spot, about 3/8 of a mile below the Baldy Notch Trail. by Mark | May 26, 2012 | Hikes & Trails!, Hiking Trails. : Sky Haven West Trailhead: Hiker Therapy 07/15/17, Fireworks Hike! Fun local Hike in the North County! Difficulty: Strenuous. -Mike. Do share! Either route there is no gas station once you exit the freeway. It then ascends over a dozen little switchbacks at the western edge of the Baldy Bowl. Mt. As we trekked along our buddy Sam that we met on the summit called out our names and soon was striding past us and down the trail. A hike to Mt. http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/, HIKE RSVP: stopping along the way to take it all in, not to mention to rest. Even though the view was incredible it was windy and frightening. This is the third of six southern California summits in what is called the 6-Pack of Peaks bundle. He does the same, and as we do, the emotions of the day take over and I choke up as my son says. Make sure you stick to the ridgeline trail via the saddle to West Baldy, as the Bear Canyon Trail to Baldy Village loses too much elevation. Mt Baldy Trail: My neighbor, Jose, standing on a large rock outcrop near the end of the Devil's Backbone section of the trail. Follow any of the ski runs west to the top or the ski area boundry. Exit Baseline Road, Claremont from the 210 FWY only.