It is amazing how a week of warm weather will deteriorate the snow conditions on a trail that was perfect last weekend.
During this busy holiday weekend the only free time I could find to hike Baldy was late yesterday afternoon into the evening. I left Manker Flats at 4:00pm and passed very few people on the way up -- they were all concerned that I was heading up so late solo. With an almost full moon and the night time temperatures solidifying the snow it turned out to be a great hike.
After taking the regular trail past the Hut an up the ridge to the left (I'll leave the trail straight up the bowl for a time when someone is around to help out if I crash) I reached the summit at 9:00pm. The city lights were an awesome sight for about 15 minutes and then it was time to head back down. I got back to my car at a little past 11:00pm., and was home in bed before midnight.
I am going to have to do this again sometime.