Not sure if this is "as good as it gets" this was only my SECOND hike ever... haha But it was surely a GREAT experience. I really didn't know what I was to expect. After reading the reviews, I did get a bit scared.. but oh well. We hiked in the month of March, so there was still some snow up top. I ended up wearing my running shoes, athletic top, soccer shorts and a layer of windbreaker and warm up pants. The pants never came off.. and the windbreaker kept going on and off.. Because it was either really cold or I got hot because of the workout. I believe we went up and back down Devil's Backbone. The first part kicked everybody's ass. It's like lunges. Then it gets a little better.. not as much of an incline. I'm not used to hiking, but the terrain at some points wasn't the most ideal. Sometimes, I could barely see the trail because it was a small line slightly angled to the slope of the mountain. So, I learned how to really concentrate as to where I put my foot. To keep this short.. just be prepared. I think you should be in some sort of shape to do this hike. Bring water. And don't feel too peer pressured to go all the way if you are uncomfortable... I don't think you'll have a good experience. But if you find yourself comfortable or if you're slightly outside your comfort zone.. then you'll make it and you should go all the way!!! BRING WATER and some snacks. read more

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One of the challenging hikes to take on, here in Los Angeles! The views at the top were beautiful, but not as breathtaking as I thought it would be. The highlight for me was trekking down Devil's Backbone trail. It made my knees shake a bit, since I heard about some deaths associated with slipping off this trail. We started our hike around 9:40am, did the counter-clockwise trail coming from the Baldy Bowl side, or the ski hut trail. It took us 6 hours to reach the top, which was about 4 miles from the bottom. SO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND STARTING THIS HIKE EARLY, so you'll have enough sunlight until you get back to your car. Also, there's a $5 fee to park your car, unless you have an adventure pass then you park for free. Parking is limited so get there early! Last few notes.. Be very careful when hiking this trail in the winter. Snow and ice are sometimes present, and it is unsafe to pass if you don't have spiked shoes or trekking poles. read more

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Closest mountain range to me it's so close I can go to the beach enjoy the sun and drive over and see some snow the same day, My kids love it we can go out and see nature without having to drive out to far locals don't seem friendly but I get it I wouldn't like people driving up and down where I live leave it as you found it clean up after yourself it sucks when u see a bunch of trash in such a beautiful place read more

I've been wanting to hike Mt Baldy for a while now, and we got a Groupon that including a lift ride to the Top Notch Restaurant and $20 towards lunch. I came into this hike not knowing what to expect. First off, it's definitely not a walk in the park. You start off by hiking up one of the diamond trails of the ski area just to get to the beginning of the trail. Once there it gets a little easier until you get closer to the peak at which time you pretty much go straight up on a trail of rocks so you need to be extra careful so you don't slide down the mountain. Total distance is about 4 miles. Once you get to the top, you realize that it was all worth it. From here you can see Lake Elsinore to the south, the Long Beach Spruce Goose dome, Victorville to the east and Mt Wilson to the north. Make sure to be prepared with good shoes, water and snacks. And expect to be very sore the next day. If you are not properly conditioned, you may have a hard time. read more

This review is for the Zipline. Pros: -Very nice views when using the lift. -Restaurant at the top has a good vibe and offers a variety of dishes -Restaurant: Live music creates a very cozy ambiance -Zipline harness equipment is in excellent condition -Staff is thorough, friendly and extremely accommodating (they lent us an adapter for our go-pro) Cons: -Too short of a ride ( less than 10 seconds) for the zipline - only reason why this review is three stars, otherwise it would deserve a higher rating. - There is a parking fee to use their lot. read more

i went here a few weeks ago right after it rained a bit. My mom advised me to wear a scarf, hiking boots, and bring walking sticks and i'm glad that I did. It was a bit slippery going to the saddle which is about 4.5 miles from the starting point. I also went with my dog bbops and she loved it! I would highly recommend bringing lots of water, bananas, and snacks because this hike will wear you out! I think total round trip it was about a 9 mile hike and took us about 4-4.5 hrs because we had to tread carefully since there was snow but the hike downhill was super fast! read more

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My 2nd peak, and loved it! Definitely not for beginners. If you are a beginner, just take your time. No need to prove you're bad ass. That comes with time Ski lifts do not operate during the week. It's a good hike from parking lot to the hut. . Remember, always bring plenty of water. Lots of squirrels, chipmunks, lizards and I came across a couple of billy goats up near Devils backbone. When you reach the peak, secure your food. Chipmunks try stealing your goods SO CUTE!! read more

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I've never really done the hike I must admit. But I've been inside the wilderness and trees by the stream that is at the beginning of this trail. In fact its one of my favorite little spots. Its not far up the mountain so if you've got a small car like I do there is usually no need for chains. I went today with my dog. She loves going up there especially when its snowing. I've got a boxer who loves the outdoors. She likes to pretend that she can track and hunt, it's so cute. Although I'm sure she'd be eaten before having a chance to eat anything in the wild, anything that is except for snow. I've attached some great photos if you really want an idea of what its like take a look! read more

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It's Mount Baldy @ the end of March! I came here a while back with some friends from school. This was actually my first time here and I absolutely enjoyed every minute of the hike. Before going up the mountain, you must purchase a national forest adventure pass for $5/vehicle at the Mt. Baldy Visitor Center. Once you do so, you would have to drive up another 4-5 miles to get to the small parking lot. In looking at many of the yelp reviews, one of my friends was telling us about the Ice Houses Saddle so we were quite excited about seeing it. I did not get a chance to look at the picture but I assumed it would look like an icehouse. So off we went on the Ice House Saddle trail, which was 3.6miles uphill. The trail was pretty rocky uphill but the scenery was beautiful and atmosphere was quite serene & relaxing. You could hear the different types of birds chirping and singing their lovely tune. We came here during our spring break at the end of March and there were still small traces of snow left from the wintertime. It was a whole lot of fun playing and drawing our school name on the snow. Unfortunately, none of us knew what the Ice House Saddle looked like and so we never reached our destination. I wished there were more signs to guide us to our final destination, but there wasn't any. Along the way, we met other friendly hikers and many of them even brought their dogs with them. TIP: I suggest you use the restroom @ the Visitor Center because once you head up to the mountain, there are no restrooms except at the entrance which do not flush. Also, this place is dog friendly so bring your dog for some fun in the sun. read more

Mount Baldy - Mt Baldy during Spring 2013 - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

Best yet, hardest hike I've ever done. We thought it was going to be a 12 mile hike - veteran hikers said it amounted to 16 miles round trip. Definitely replaces leg day for the gym rats - my butt felt like it was going to cramp up on the last 2 miles on the hike down. (I was sore for the next three days). Super challenging to constantly hike uphill but definitely super rewarding. The narrow parts of the trail are ridiculously exhilarating and nature itself is just so breathtaking. Beautiful views; and, I would recommend starting the hike around 6 or 7 am - get that crisp air (= Don't forget to bring water bottles in addition to a hydration pack per person. Also, beef jerky and nuts are probably essential. I would actually do this again. Such a great workout conquering a mountain (in some flyknits) !!! read more

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I love going on difficult hikes and this one is definitely on the difficult level. There is a constant incline to the top of the mountain and do not underestimate the altitude level; it is harder to breath since you are so high up (elev 10,064). The start of the trail I went on begins if you type in Manker Campground, Mt. Baldy onto google maps. There is parking area available and the 3 times I went there, I did not have an adventure pass and didnt get a ticket. But I am not sure if it was because we were lucky or you dont need one. The route we took was Falls Rd - Baldy Rd - Baldy Bowl Trail - Devils Backbone Trail - reach Mt. Baldy ski school and take side trail following under the ski lifts back down. It is an amazing hike! Just letting you know Baldy Bowl Trail is ALL uphill!! Get your stair master thighs ready! And remember the altitude difference! Devils Backbone is beautiful because you are literally hiking the spine of the mountain. Don't go if you are afraid of heights. Also, if you go during the winter time there will be snow. The second time I went, there was so much snow that we couldnt do Devils Backbone because there was high winds, low visibility, and it was icy. So we had to go back down where we came. But if you go during the summer, you can complete the hike in good weather. This hike has got to be my top 5 difficult hikes because of the constant incline and altitude. The trail is well maintained, except the shortcut that we took in the end following under the ski lifts. I finished a whole 3L water reservoir, so bring lots of water, hiking shoes, sunscreen, etc. Goodluck! read more

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It was a nice experience going for the first time the only problem was that we where expecting to see snow but did not see a lot there where some patches here and there but not enough for the kiddos to play, but on the opposite side the experience of nature was really nice. It was a breath of fresh air loved the experience , would definitely come again, you have to come early because it's 9:30 and it's already a lot of people. read more

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Hiking Mount Baldy (spring time) was an amazing experience. I wish the weather was more clear at the summit, but otherwise it was a tiring, yet rewarding/interesting experience. I did the Devil's Backbone trail. We started by passing the waterfall, then trekked upwards for a few hours, passed the halfway point hut, passed the giants boulders, passed the crashed airplane, observed the transition into ice, ate lunch at the summit in the wind shelters, walked along the long ridge, took the functional ski lift down the mountain to a parking lot. The whole trip took about 8 hours. My legs were recovering for the next few days. I think if you live in LA area for at least a few months, this hike is necessary to really experience SoCal. It was cloudy on top when I was there but supposedly you get an awesome view of the ocean and desert at the same time. I didn't have any cloud disappearing spells. read more

I've now been up this mountain 3 times. Each time I've had fun. You can take the Ski Hut Route which is much steeper and maybe a little shorter. http://www.ihikesandiego.com/mount-baldy-mount-san-antonio/ You can also take the route up the Devils Backbone. This route is a little longer and not quite as steep, but the views are pretty cool. Both times that I have done this route it has been for the charity event "Climb for Heroes" http://www.ihikesandiego.com/3rd-annual-climb-for-heroes/ Either way you go you will have fun. Here is a video of the Devils Backbone Trail during the "Climb for Heroes" event. https://vimeo.com/125013167 Either way a pair of poles is a welcome addition to the hike. The trail is pretty easy to follow on the Devils Backbone side, but on the Ski Hut side after the ski hut and switch backs the trail gets a little hard to find at one point. read more

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This place is a DANGER!! Do NOT Go or waste your money!! I DO NOT recommend Mt Baldy at all! We had a horrible experience on so many levels. They are not visitor friendly. This place is for locals and regulars. The posted hours are 8-6. The parking lot was not cleared or opened till after 8 (first line of the day). Parked my car then stood in line to get our (already paid online) lift tickets, another 30 min in this line which is outside in the cold, but somehow all the regulars who were behind us seemed to find a way inside and got their tickets before us (2nd line of the day) . Now we have our lift tickets and the lift isn't open. At Mt Baldy, you have to take a gigantic lift to the top of the mountain to get to the restaurant, rentals, and the other lifts. So 3rd line of the day another 2 hours outside in line while more regulars cut the line. When telling employees there standard response to everything was ‍. Got to the top, got some food in us and it is now noon, got our rentals and started teaching the girls. For the next 3 hours was fun, definitely not my favorite slopes but we made the best of it. 3:30 comes and the girls and I are done and the boys decide to do one last run down the big mountain, take the big lift back up, then we would turn in our rentals and all head to the parking lot. I and girls are enjoying some hot cocoa in the restaurant waiting when around 4 they decide to close the mountain. Like kick everyone out and shut everything down. So the girls and I have no choice but to return our rentals and head down to the parking lot. I'm hoping while in line for the big lift down to find the boys and let them know to meet us in the parking lot. We get to the parking lot no sight of the boys and it is now 4:45. I now realize my husband has the car keys and we are stuck outside. I ask the ticketing room "I can't find my husband and son they have the keys to my car, can me and my girls wait in here?" This b***h tells me "sorry we're closing‍" so we wait outside. The parking lot is almost empty we're stuck outside I'm having a panic attack but trying to stay calm for the girls. I see 2 snow patrol taking their gear off in the parking lot and decide I have to say something, I have to ask for help. I tell them I can't find my husband and son, I have two kids stuck outside and I'm now crying. These guys first tell me it takes a while, that they'll probably be coming soon. They let the girls sit in their car with the heater on and they take the boy's names and check with rentals. It is now after 6 pm, pitch black outside and Rentals says their shoes are still there and now snow patrol has finally taken me seriously. They now take me and the girls into the ticket booth so we're inside, they take the boy's description and start looking for them. It is pitch black and I've never been so worried in my life. Finally around 7 they tell me they've found them!! The boys were given bad directions from STAFF and spent the last 3 hours, half of that in pitch black, scaling a mountain with snow up to their armpits. They happened to come across a closed lift cabin, broke in and thank god it had a radio in it where they started radioing for help (they found this cabin around 7 pm). Also a big F U to the guy that kicked us out of the ticket booth once my boys were found and made me and the 2 young girls I had with me wait in the cold dark empty parking lot for the 10/15 minutes while my boys came down the lift. I get that everyone wants to go home after work but not a single employee had any plain human decency. No one at mt baldy was helpful till I cried to the snow patrol who were the only people who gave two sh*ts about us. The mountain has no signage and is dangerous to visitors. In all the years (at min 2x a year for the last 6 years) we've snowboarded they have never had any problems till this mountain. The staff/management is a joke and should be ashamed of themselves!!! Thank you, a million times to the 2 Volunteer Snow patrol and one employee who actually helped us thank you so much you saved their lives. read more

Review for my hike on 2/12/12 *It was my first time here, so take that into consideration when reading. I'm sure experienced hikers have a much different opinion on the difficulty. Notes -Fairly narrow trail - You won't see anybody walking side by side. There are spots to rest though and to let others pass you by. -Right now there is snow and ice on parts of the trail. Going uphill wasn't too much of a problem, but going downhill, I was definitely thankful to have clamp-ons (spikes) for my shoes so that I wouldn't slip on the ice and fall to who knows where. -Despite the snow and cold weather, there was plenty of sunlight. -There's an outhouse at the first 'checkpoint' at Ski Hut. Advice -Wear proper hiking shoes, especially when it's snow/ice season. Even bring spikes for your shoes (just in case). -Wear sunscreen!!!!! -Bring water (of course). -Bring snacks. It took me about 2 hours to get to the first rest stop (the green Ski Hut), though I'm sure other people can get there much more quickly (1-1.5 hours). I was pretty hungry when I got up there. Even hungrier when I made it up to the "Saddle." -Be prepared to work your butt off. -Bring gloves during the winter. Even though you might get hot and sweaty from the workout, your hands are still vulnerable to the chill. A beanie for your ears is good too. -Bring walking sticks to help you go up and down (it really helped me especially when going downhill). -Don't expect an easy hike. Overall Thoughts: -It was a really nice day despite the chills. -It was difficult but definitely doable (up to the Saddle at least). I didn't make it up to the summit, but I didn't expect to my first time here. -The views are sooo beautiful. You're basically in the clouds, which is an awesome feeling. The snow made the view even better! read more

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We came here around 7AM on a Saturday and waited till 8 outside the station where you're supposed to be able to buy the adventure pass. Then we heard somebody else talking about how you didn't need one anymore and we were too irritated from waiting to care about even fact checking so we just headed towards the mountain to start our hike. We still don't know if it's true if you do need a parking pass but in the nine hours that we were gone on that Saturday we never got a parking ticket. For the hike.. Make sure you're prepared with snacks, water, and warm clothing! Dress very warmly. We are used to warm, Southern California weather and we were in for a rude awakening as soon as we stepped out of the car. Luckily we had jackets in the trunk but we were still cold at times. Other then that, I'd say it's a very doable hike even if you aren't in tip top shape. It just requires a lot of time to complete it. We took the harder route heading up and I thought it was much more scenic than when we took the easier route going down. But it could have been a difference in weather by the time we were heading down again. Even so, next time id opt for the harder path both ways because I don't think the harder one was even much more difficult. Just steeper if anything. Happy hiking! People are extremely friendly read more

Mount Baldy - Cloud level - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

I say it's a great spot for people who are just starting out or for people who really want a challenge. If u want to challenge yourself, go all the way up & take detours. For people just warming up to hiking, U can always stop midway, lots of little spots where you can stop and sip on drinks or have snacks. Its beautiful all around. Be prepared to lose all your signal. U may get a little signal back If you go high enough but who wants signal anyway! :) random streams and I saw a deer once. Great hike. read more

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So we didnt enjoy the worn out wood slat ski lift, it could use a major overhaul. Zipline staff was friendly, the activity..fun of course! We enjoyed a full days hike and made it to summit, mt.baldy! Ended with live music, delicious brisket and homemade divinity for dessert. Great day in nature, the ski lift made it a vintage adventure. Also, we would love to do the camp tents sometime...looks fun. We saw some rams on our hike, chipmunks and lizards...no snakes thank goodness. This hike is no joke, be prepared, bring water, snacks, sunscreen and bug spray. Lots of horse flies. We recommend and will likely hike this area again. read more

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Mount Baldy will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my husband and I's first mountain hike ever and we instantly fell in love with hiking that we decided that we have hiking Mt Baldy every New Year's Day. The exception was this year as the wind was too strong for me (I could not move and it doesn't help that I'm pretty petite) and had to turn back but told my husband he can go. He ended up turning back as well due to too much snow in Devil's Backbone and our friend's leg cramped up. Anyways, it is such a beautiful and well maintained trail. read more

Its a Great and One of the Best Hike! I hiked there this weekend, it took about 8 hours. Trail condition and weather was great. Only small amount of snows by top of the Summit, its not a big deal. Temp was about 50 degree. read more

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Okay okay, second time around, I think I have this Mt. Baldy route down to a science. First off, I would greatly encourage you to take the ski lift round trip to the ski lodge to begin the journey up the trail. The first 4 miles otherwise are torture on a dirt road, no shade, and up a steep pass. Beginning at the ski lodge, the trip would be 6.6 miles round trip. Without the ski lift, you are looking at ~11 miles. Second, purchase the groupon for the ski lift. $29 for two people, $43 for three, or $55 for four (each person gets ski lift round trip ticket: $25 value, and $10 in a meal voucher for the lodge). This comes out an astounding regular price without the groupon of $70 for two, $105 for three, or $140 for four. Ultimate savings! Third, once you begin the trail by taking a sharp left upon exiting the ski lodge, take the smaller trail near the ski lift and not the normal ski zone. Made this mistake twice and the incline was very steep compared to the smaller trail. The first mile is pretty tough if you don't take the smaller trail. Once you reach the top of the first hill, you will reach the beginning of an area of narrow trail that hugs the mountainside. This goes on for awhile until you reach rocky area. Then, you ascend through switchbacks all the way to the peak. The peak can be windy and cold at times, so you may need a jacket depending on the weather. Bring plenty of water, trekking poles help but are not required, and shoes with good grip are a must. Safe travels! read more

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We decided to try out Snowboarding for the first time and it's a beautiful place to come and snowboard if your experienced person. We had opportunity in learning to snowboard because the slips are to steep. I think we should have tried something more easier than coming to this location first. However they offer free snowboarding and ski classes while their open. You can rent your boots and snowboard and skis, you can also buy gear there but I wouldn't suggest it since their merchandise is very limited. They adjust your board and skis for you to make sure you get the best set. We skid in a location up until we felt comfortable and once we felt we were up for a better challenge then we decided to go up a more challenging slop, however they have opportunity to specify the type of experience level slops they have. So I would be cautious and ask questions before taking the lift since once you go up, it's a hassle to make it down if your not fully experienced. read more

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Arduous, brutal, challenging hike of a lifetime! It's not for newbies! Took us total of 9 hours with 1 hour rest after reaching the summit, total 10,064 elevation, almost 9 miles...but once you reach the top and used up all your energy it's such a big sense of pride and accomplishment! read more

Mount Baldy - My medal that I can't wear and take home :-) - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

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Mt Baldy Lift & Zipline What a great day we had at Mt Baldy! We had purchased a groupon package for the lift/zipline. Parking was at the end of San Antonio Falls Rd. The scenic chair lift ride was about 17 minutes with breathtaking views & colorful birds flying around, it was smooth & quiet so you can hear the birds singing. What a refreshing way to tour the forest! Once you reach the top you're at the Notch, there are several hikes, a restaurant & a zipline. Ziplining was awesome! So much fun! What a rush! It's about 800 ft long, smooth, & they control the stop so you pretty much just enjoy the ride! The crew was absolutely exceptional! We went twice! The restaurant had outstanding burgers and potato wedges starting at $11.50, IPA beers for $9 & coke for $3, I don't know if it was the elevation but that was the best burger ever. Hiking around, the views from the top is amazing, you can see Barstow & Victorville from the other side. The birds were fun to watch, they were so playful. I enjoyed the lift ride down even more than the the one up, the views were just awesome! I would definitely recommend for an outstanding day excursion, don't forget sunscreen! read more

Mount Baldy - Mt Baldy Zipline - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

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It was summer.. cool place to wander around. great view.. I'm sure it's better with snow and beers read more

Mount Baldy - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

Beautiful view, came here do to a group on offer. It was nice to go up enjoy kunch and then walk around a bit then leave for 30 bucks read more

Mount Baldy - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

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One of the MOST intense hikes I have done so far...then again I've only ever hiked a maximum of 2 hours. Heads up, this is for the devils backbone. Straight to the point: 1. You can park in between the roads at the top where they split. Once parked, across the street you can begin your hike to the falls and then after seeing them continue towards the Lodge at the top which is basically a halfway point for the hike to the top of Mt Baldy. This method will of course add more time to your hike. 2. Or keep driving up to the end(a minute away) and you can park in the parking lot meant for the park where you can either take lifts to the top or hike your way up. 3.Once you reach the top there's essentially 3 routes that will lead you to the devils backbone and they all lead the same way. The first is steep, the second is rocky and the one in the back is somewhat "better"(the second route leads to the 3rd). No matter what it'll be a struggle with how hard it is to breathe up there! 4. When you reach the devils tailbone trail, prepare yourself because it is one narrow and scary path. For that reason I did my hike on a Tuesday when it's empty because sharing that path is dangerous as it is essentially a one way road. Shoulder to shoulder on this trail is impossible. 5.Bring lots of water and snacks. Carry some sunblock because the sun is no joke up there and check the weather to make sure you don't need a sweater because it could get pretty cold on the way up. 6. If you are not experienced with these elevations prepare to take many breaks. I'm not trained for this and it took me 3 hours for the way up from the lodge!!! Lol The way down is a breeze as long as you watch your step, took me an hour and a half. 7. Have fun and enjoy! read more

Toughest hike I've done so far!!! The views take awhile to be spectacular, but once you reach them - they're worth the throbbing pain you feel in your toes!!! Took me less than 6 hours to complete the 14 mile hike!! Some blisters, slight sunburn - all worth the accomplishment. Take lots of water, snacks, maybe a change of socks, and a positive attitude! This hike is completely MENTAL!! Once you reach The Notch you'll know what I mean -- Stay +++ and it'll be a piece of cake!! Don't forget your adventure pass - I suggest investing $30 for the Annual pass!! It will push you to summit more awesome mountains! Good Luck!! read more

Mount Baldy - Here she is! This beautiful plaque!!! Mt. Baldy, you kicked my Tookus! - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

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Nothing not t movie about Mt Baldy except for the crowds on a great snow day! Mt Baldy has great trails, super cool People and an unlimited amount of things to do. read more

Get there early for parking! Amazing views, great place to see some snow during the winter season! The mt badly lodge at the top,, if you make it.. is classic; like a time capsule of the 80's read more

Me: I don't know... I've never done a real hike before Friend: Don't worry, this was my first hike in high school. It's totally do-able. Me: Ok... *6 HOURS, 10 MILES, & 10,000+ FT UP IN THE AIR LATER* Me: YOU'RE DEAD MEAT. As soon as I get feeling back in my legs. -- Difficult but so rewarding. As an inexperienced hiker, I had a lot of difficulty with some of the steep inclines, but it was a great experience. Here are some tips: 1. Get there early. We left a little later than planned, so we didn't have time to go all the way up to the summit. Try not to cut it too close to sunset- you won't be getting service, and the staff talked about there being mountain lions. Yikes! 2. Wear layers!! It'll be hot at some points, especially with all the walking that you do, but it gets SUPER windy and cold the further you go up. 3. Pack lots of water! I was an idiot and packed half the amount that I needed; luckily, you can refill if you make a stop at the restaurant. 4. Snacks are essential to keeping your energy up, so bring fruits and power bars. 5. Map out your route beforehand. There are no signs and sometimes the trail isn't even that clear. 6. Wear good hiking shoes. Devil's Backbone, and other parts of the trail, will become super narrow; you don't want to slip anywhere! There were also times we took the wrong trail and would have to climb up fairly steep mountainsides to get to the right one. 7. Bring a camera or GoPro! The trail is beautiful & you'll want to document everything. 8. Don't bring friends who are quitters, or else you'll end up having to leave them behind while they take a nap in the middle of the trail and have random strangers come up to them asking if they need help. (Ok fine, it was me. But in my defense, that nap was probably the most glorious that I have ever had) We didn't make it to the summit, but I plan on going back again and conquering the hike once and for all (w/o any naps). It was a fun challenge, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to up their hiking game. read more

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Did a crazy hike up to Mount San Antonio via Bear Canyon Trail aka Bear Flats Trail aka The Death March. It was not wise to do this after my back injury, but boy was this the hardest hike I have done to date. Trails of the Angeles:100 Hikes in the San Gabriels "Old Mount Baldy Trail is one of the most strenuous hikes in the San Gabriels" This is considered the hard way to do Old Baldy. I was not in great shape at the time and boy did I have a hard time doing it. Make sure to give yourself a lot of time and bring lots of snacks and water. Distance: 12 miles round trip on trail Gain: 6000' Time: 10-12 hours round trip Rating: Class 1, very strenuous Kid Friendly: No Dog-Friendly: No Mountain Bike Friendly: Depends on skill https://youtu.be/3qSX_1Hrlog read more

This mountain was appropriately named - though it's not completely bald. Rather, it's permanently in between - balding in large patches throughout. The most exciting part about visiting this place is the drive through winding roads. Other than that, it's really quite unattractive. It lacks the greenery that makes nature so interesting. You're better off driving south towards the beaches where at least the tan of the dirt/sand is complemented by blue-green water and the sound of waves. read more

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There is a reason why Mt Baldy is still a destination after all these years and that's simply because it's a little gem nestled into the San Bernardino Mountains with a view that you would imagine finding here. Nature is a beautiful place and coming here will remind you of that. I find that the best time to go hiking here is around August to September where the weather isn't too hot nor is it too cold. On top of that, the air is clear in all directions so you can really take in the view from up top. If you do go during any other time of the year, remember to check the weather as this place is well above the snowfall level and can get ridiculously hot or be bone chilling cold. But enough of the technical stuff and onto the view. Getting to the top you would need to hike/climb your way up 2 different paths. You can find more info on that at http://californiathroughmylens.com/2011/10/hiking-the-mt-baldy-summit-eating-at-top-of-the-notch-restaurant/. I suggest showing up around 9 or 10 in the morning if possible so half the hike would not have you baking in the sun. There is a lift for you to take which cuts a chunk out of the hike starting at San Antonio Falls. This hike is not something that should be taken lightly as there are parts that may get dangerous (Devil's Backbone) and some of the switchbacks may be rocky but don't let this discourage you. Instead just take your time and be attentive on where you're placing your foot and all will be well. Totally suggest stopping by the restaurant at the top of the lift for a break before continuing on. Overall, I definitely would suggest this hike to anyone and I will definitely be coming back especially its located about 2 hours from LA and the OC! PS! $5 parking pass required to park! read more

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If the local So Cal mountain ski resorts were like the Kardashian sisters, Mt. Baldy would probably be Khloe. Mt Baldy will do, but if you know Mt. High is near by and if you wanna drive just a few more miles further, head on out to Kim, I mean Snow Summit or Bear Mountain. Even if you're just learning, I think it'll be worth it to drive a bit longer. Don't get me wrong, there's definitely nothing wrong with Khloe or even Mt. Baldy, but you know it's a good analogy. So I've been to Mt. Baldy for both hiking and snowboarding. It took longer to get on the lift than it did to do a run. There were only 2 lifts open the time I went and 1 of the lifts didn't even have snow. Maybe it's my fault for coming early season even though I knew there wasn't a recent storm, but still. Mt. Baldy, you got me good. You can thank Groupon for that because if it wasn't for a $30 lift ticket offer, I probably wouldn't be writing this review. So if you're reading this and thinking about going snowboarding here. Think about Khloe. http://bit.ly/taOVIT PS - if we were talking about Mt. Baldy for hiking, I'd probably give it a 4 star. But this review is strictly for the skiing and snowboarding terrain or lack thereof. read more

This has been one of the most challenging hikes I have undertaken. To the fitness fanatics, I may sound like a wimp, but it was a challenging hike. We arrived and took the lift up to the restaurant, warmed up a little bit, and off to hit the trail. The hike was a little over 3 miles each way, with the way up being the most challenging, especially the last stretch which involved lots of loose gravel, rocks, etc... Scenery was awesome, mostly in the lower elevation. We took some pictures throughout the way...but we did make it to the top and what a sense of accomplishment. We returned the same way we hiked and enjoyed delicious burgers at the restaurant. It was a great experience! read more

Wow. I've been criticizing Southern California for having terrible trails for almost a year. Little did I know that this beautiful hike was just east of me! I think every local should do Mt. Baldy at least once in their lifetime. It's a Los Angeles icon, with its snowy peak usually lasting into the beginning of summer. This year with the severe drought, there's far less snow, but that also means that the more dangerous parts of the trail aren't icy! Take advantage of it, people! The lowdown: It's more or less an 11-mile loop (there are some shortcuts if you want to go straight up/down some sections) that starts and ends at Manker Flats Campground. The elevation gain is 3,900 ft and takes you to a smidge above 10,000 ft. There are two ways to summit Mt. Baldy (the two legs of the loop), which are: Via the ski hut: If you want to ascend via this route, you are going to have to keep your eyes peeled as you start up the gravel road from the trailhead at Manker Flats, because there is a hairpin turn to the left that will take you straight up the side of the mountain. From there's it's 1.9 miles to a ski hut, which serves as a nice resting spot before you begin a strenuous 2.1 mile ascent to the top that will work out your calves, no matter how in shape you are. A switchback section following the ski hut is very steep and intense - I wouldn't want to descend via that route. As you get to the more barren, gravely side of the mountain you'll notice a few smaller trails, but they all take you to the same place as long as you're heading up. Via the notch and devil's backbone: If you miss the turnoff to the ski hut and continue along the wide road, you'll reach the "Top of the Notch" where there's a ski resort after 3 miles. From there you'll want to hang a left and take the "Devil's Backbone" - an exposed 4 mile trail along a ridge of peaks that will eventually lead you up top. If you take this route, you might be fooled into thinking that a certain "bald" mountain you see is your destination, but it's actually the peak BEHIND that peak. Going up via the Ski Hut and running down the Backbone, I was able to do Mt. Baldy in just a tad over 4 hours, but a lot of people say to expect ~7 hours. I would recommend getting started early (between 6:30 and 7am) to avoid the heat. And remember to hang your Adventure Pass on your rear-view mirror or else you WILL get a ticket! read more

I think my feet STILL hurt from hiking Baldy. At 8 miles and 4500 feet of gain, it can TRULY kick you in the ARSE. That being said, I am so glad I did it and it will definitely be added to one of my favorite hiking moments for the achievement of hiking to a peak at over 10,000 feet. The drive up to Baldy is really sweet. The town is fantastic and the homes are all so unique, you just want to stay and live there forever. There is a huge lot and unusually ample parking for all the hikers who makes this brutal ascent. I even went on a holiday weekend and was able to get a perfect spot. As always...don't forget your adventure pass!!!!! Okay, off we go... UP UP AND AWAY....and it really doesn't stop there. Hiking Baldy can be pretty brutal. It's is a constant ascent and, to make matters worse, after passing a ski hut it's all loose, unmarked trails. This trail has seen better days and I guarantee you, you may want to give up a few times on your way to the top of the world. To make matters worse, Baldy has a few false summits. It's HOT, so bring your sunscreen as this hike has virtually no shade. You may be be thinking right now, "This doesn't seem all that fun!" Well, get your butt to the top and I promise you it will all pay off. The summit is a unique experience. First, I'm sure you realize that at 10,000 ft, you are going to experience some spectacular views....all around you. And it is BREATHTAKING. You can sit near the stone mounds and take it all in. That first bite into your noshy treats will never taste so good. Second, there are the photo ops. Whether it's the stunning mountain landscape or the iron Mt. Baldy plaque, you have so many options to choose from. Take your time, take all the images you can and have fun with it, you deserve it after that climb. (My personal favorite is the jumping photo.) Finally, my favorite experience of the peak was enjoying it with everyone else. No one climbs this mountain and doesn't feel a sense of exhilaration and achievement so as you are sitting there enjoying your sammy and taking a rest, you get to experience the joy on the faces of the other climbers making their ascent and landing at the top. The smiles, the hoopin' and hollering, the high fives... the pure exhaustion!!! It's a pretty magical thing to experience something like this with complete strangers because you know exactly how they feel. You all accomplished this together. Now we have to go back down...ugh. Going up that loose rock. Hard. Going down. Even harder. Take your time. Wear proper terrain footwear. You will need it. Oh, and prepare to fall on your arse a few times. That loose terrain you hike up is only looser with your body weight pushing on it to go down. All in all, I think it took our group seven hour from car door to car door with a 45-minute rest at the top (and quite a few along the way). Go do Baldy (if you fit, that is) and tell your friends of your achievement. Very few can say they have done something like this and wouldn't it be cool if you could? read more

Hardest hike I've ever went on (10,064 elevation, need good grip when hiking up some parts because it's dirt and gravel, strong cold winds when we went downhill) but it was well worth it when we made it to the top. Great view even though I was sweaty, thirsty, and hungry. Be well prepared! Bring plenty of snacks and water!! We (group of 5 and my 16 lb dog Goofy) ran out of water but two kind individuals gave us one of their bottle of waters when we were talking about which way to head back (either same path or the longer path but it led to the restaurant). Dog friendly. Good adventure. Nice and friendly hikers (hikers answered questions along the way up, the two hikers who gave us a bottle of water, and a man who gave us a ride from the bottom of the ski lift to the camp grounds). Cardio? Check. Calves of steel? Check. Round sculpted butt? Check. Strong shoulders from carrying water? Check. If you suck in your stomach, you also get some ab workout. Great way to workout, enjoy the scenery, and spend time with your friends. read more

Mount Baldy - Hiking Near Me - Mt Baldy, California

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