Mount Baldy

10.6 miles / 3,953’ elevation gain / 13 hrs / 10,066’ summit

Mount Baldy, or Mount San Antonio, is one gigantic loop that offers several different climbing options. The entire loop is 12 miles or you can do half the loop and come in and out the same way. Mt. Baldy has so many unique features from a waterfall and a boulder forest to the iconic Baldy Bowl on the south side of the mountain that looks like a natural amphitheater formed from glacial erosion. Half way up the mountain is the San Antonio Ski Hut. The Ski Hut is a tiny, green cabin built in 1936 run by the Sierra Club that is used for overnight stays for up to 16 people. The hut is a fully equipped mountaineer’s cabin with a full kitchen, first aid station and bunk beds in the attic. Sierra Club members can reserve space in advance but anyone is allowed to stay there. Past the Ski Hut is when the most challenging part of the hike begins because the terrain becomes much more steep. To give you an idea you climb over 2000 feet in elevation in just a one and a half miles. That’s a lot! During that time there’s the illusion of multiple false summits where you think you’re reaching the peak only to realize there’s another one hidden behind it. The summit of Mt. Baldy itself is completely barren of trees and filled with flat, slate rocks that people have built into wind breaker walls. It has 360 degree views of the San Bernardino mountain range. Once you’ve summited the mountain you can either go down the way you came or, cross what is called the Devil’s Backbone and finish the loop coming out through the Mt. Baldy ski resort. The Devil’s backbone is an extremely narrow ridge line trail that can be deadly in the wrong conditions. However, in the spring and summer months the backbone offers the most stunning views of the Baldy Bowl on one side and the valley on the other. If you can safely traverse it, it is absolutely worth the effort. The only drawback to this side of the loop is the last two miles which are a flat, gravel, fire road that is boring to look at and brutal on the knees. With the exception of the fire road, the entire Baldy experience will be something that you can remember for the rest of your life.