Distance (round-trip)
10.3 mi
Time
7 hrs
Elevation Gain
3950 ft
Season
Spring
Summer
Fall
Weather
–
10.3 mi
7 hrs
3950 ft
Spring
Summer
Fall
–
The hike to Mount Baldy is a leg-busting ascent to the highest point in Los Angeles County, with a neighboring mountain thrown in for good measure. This is a classic hike through some incredible subalpine scenery, and is a MUST HIKE for anyone who lives in or is visiting Southern California, provided you’re up to the challenge — and please, don’t underestimate this trail just because it’s close to cities.
The Mount San Antonio (or, Mount Baldy, if you’re feeling colloquial) trail is hands-down one of the best in Southern California. It’s the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains at 10,069 feet (or 10,064, depending on who you ask), and its tree-free summit provides incredible panoramic views of almost every single kind of SoCal terrain — from desert to city to mountains to ocean. There are two popular routes to the top – and they’ll both make you work for it. But once you get there and collapse high above the rest of civilization, it’s absolutely worth it.
However, please note that while Mount Baldy can be done as a tough but not-especially-technical day hike, it is a Serious Mountain. Because this mountain has a steep face and sits on the border between the Mediterranean and desert climates in Southern California, this region has a tendency to make its own weather without much notice. Crushing thunderstorms have been known to appear in the summer and fall, and during the winter months this trail is likely to be covered in ice and snow and require real technical know-how. People can and do die on this trail, so please take it seriously.
The fire road leaving Manker Flats had very recently been repaved — so the first three-quarters of a mile were on fresh asphalt. Your feet may not be happy, but the views of the Baldy Bowl and the distant summit are more than enough to take your mind off the urban footing.
At that 0.5 mile mark, there’s a small spur trail that leads to the bottom of San Antonio Falls. If you can get there on the first few warm days of spring, you can get absolutely drenched by the 80 foot waterfall. Assuming, of course, we’ve had some snowfall over the winter. Even with our record-breaking bone dry winter of last year, though, the falls still had a bit of water left in ’em.
The fire road becomes unpaved at this point and continues on a long and winding path up to Baldy Notch. It’s a pleasant, easy walk with plenty of views of the San Antonio valley, but compared to what comes later on in the trail, it’s a bit boring.
Generally if you head in a north-northwesterly direction, you’ll find the Backbone trail with no problems. It’s only right near the lodge that the trails and roads are unclear. Soon, you’ll reach a ridge that has a noticeably steep drop-off to the north. You’ll be looking across a deep, flat wash valley to the gray beast of Dawson Peak.
The first section of the Backbone literally straddles an east-west ridge between two steep valleys. It’s wide-enough at the start, but if you catch yourself looking down at the wrong time, it’s pretty easy to get a touch of the vertigo. This is a section of trail to treat with respect and take seriously. There’s a stretch after the first section that hugs a fairly steep cliffside where the trail thins considerably. It can be a little nerve-wracking for those with a fear of heights, but just take your time and stay calm. You’ll likely have more room than you thought you’d have, and soon you’ll be back on wider terrain.
When the trail straightens out and heads directly toward the Baldy Bowl, you’ll see a steep, bare peak directly to your north. This is Mount Harwood. I took a cross-country talus scramble up to the top, just because it’s on the Hundred Peaks List and I hadn’t bagged it yet. It’ll give you a decent view of the approach of San Antonio, and is much less-visited than it’s bigger neighbor but it’s still worth a visit. Just mind your footing on the loose scree. This picture is from the summit, looking down at a fellow hiker who I’d just passed. It gives a nice scale to the scope of the surrounding landscape.
When you’re done taking in the views and / or recuperating from the climb, you can either head back to the Devil’s Backbone the way you came (and probably take the ski-lift down — no shame in descending), or you can take in some more of what Baldy has to offer by heading south from the summit onto the Baldy Bowl Trail. If you feel like you’re heading west along the ridge for too long, you’re probably on the Baldy Trail — a much longer route that will take you to Mount Baldy Village — far away from where you probably parked.
The correct route is a single-track that takes you just outside the western edge of the Baldy Bowl, as the landscape goes from windswept-lunar to slightly-less-windswept, populated with some interesting, twisted pines.
From there, the trail follows the contour of the Bowl past the Sierra Club San Antonio Ski Hut (where you can stay overnight for a small fee if you’re interested), and gradually makes its way back down to the Mount Baldy Fire Road, just east of San Antonio Falls.
And from there, it’s just a short walk back to Manker Flats, where you’ll most likely give yourself a pat on the back, take off your shoes, and head for the nearest source of cooked food you can find. (I dig the Mount Baldy Lodge on the way out).
And congratulations. You just hiked the highest mountain in Los Angeles County.
Most of the trails are very clearly marked and easy to follow, but the area near the summit has been marred by excessive use-trails. The Devil's Backbone Trail has a few dangerous spots that deserve extra attention. Do not attempt this trail when there is ice or snow present unless you have the proper skills or equipment.
The trailhead begins at Manker Flat, which is a drive-in campground. Backcountry camping is also available in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Take I-210 to Upland, California and exit at Mountain Avenue. Continue north on Mountain until it turns into Mount Baldy Road. Continue through Mt. Baldy Village and past Icehouse Canyon to the Manker Flats Campground. The trailhead begins just north of the campground at San Antonio Falls Road. Look for a port-o-potty off the main road. If you want to take the Ski Lift up, continue past the campground to the end of Mt. Baldy Road. The road ends at the ski lift. Display your Adventure Pass.
238 Comments
Thanks so much for the reply!! I just moved to LA and went to your blog for hiking ideas! I will definitely wait till the summer then instead.
I was going to do Baden-Powell hike but I think there is snow too from what I was reading...
John,
Take the route I describe here and reverse it - you can head up via the Ski Hut Trail and then just do an out-and-back instead of a loop. This trail is shorter but significantly steeper than the route that takes you across the Backbone.
Also note that in the winter, this is a TECHNICAL WINTER HIKE. You'll need crampons, ice-axes, a helmet, and the know-how to use them. If you're just looking for a tough and rewarding day hike, I'd wait until the summer when the snow melts off.
Can I get to the summit without going through the Devil's Backbone? I am kind of terrified of heights but would love to go to the top without having to walk through the backbone...
Like anything, the best way to get better at something is to keep doing it! Hike shorter trails and easier peaks first. Baldy is challenging but during good weather (usually in the warmer months) it's a long, steep, non-technical day hike, so there isn't anything beyond just getting your legs used to those distances and elevations that you really need to train for. Good luck!
How would I get the training to try it? Is there an REI class or would I need to build up to it by doing lower level difficulty hikes in like conditions.
Jeremy,
You can hike those peaks now, but know that they are significantly increased in difficulty and require extra equipment you wouldn't need in the warmer months. I would not recommend doing either of those hikes without crampons / snowshoes (depending on the snow level), an ice axe, and the training to know how to use them. People can and have died attempting these tough day hike trails in winter conditions.
Hey everyone. I hiked Cucamonga a few months back so I'm thinking of hiking Ontario Peak instead.
My question is, is it safe to hike Ontario this time of year?
And what about Mount Baldy?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Hike on!
If you have an "America the Beautiful" pass, it's good on *almost* every piece of federal land that requires a day-use fee, including in the Angeles National Forest / San Gabriel Mountains National Monument!
This may be a stupid question, but is the adventure pass to hike baldy the same as the annual pass I have to the national parks? I've been trying to figure this out and I feel like a moron. Help!
With recent wildfire damage and ongoing waves of COVID-19 infections and restrictions, National Forest, National Park, and other public land closures, restrictions, or social distancing guidelines may be in-effect.
If infection rates are on the rise, please do your best to remain local for your hikes. If you do travel, please be mindful of small gateway communities and avoid as much interaction as you can. Also remember to be extra prepared with supplies so you don't have to stop somewhere outside your local community for gas, food, or anything else.
Please be sure to contact the local land management agency BEFORE you head out, as these conditions are likely to change without enough notice for us to fully stay on top of them. Thanks, and stay safe!
Click here to read the current CDC guidelines for traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.