Mt. Baldy first time suggestions?

[Rumpled]

I did it kinda the wimpy way last year (my only) and took the chair up and back, using the Devil's Backbone Trail.
Next time, I'll go to the Ski Hut.

I also added Harwood and West Baldy. I guess, technically, West Baldy is in Wilderness; so I shoulda had a permit.
They were both straightforward little additions. For Harwood, from the saddle at I on HJ's map just go up the ridge to the summit and continue East on the ridge until you rejoin the backbone trail.

So, under FO's rationale - I blew it.

[FIGHT ON]

I did it kinda the wimpy way last year (my only) and took the chair up and back, using the Devil's Backbone Trail.
Next time, I'll go to the Ski Hut.

I also added Harwood and West Baldy. I guess, technically, West Baldy is in Wilderness; so I shoulda had a permit.
They were both straightforward little additions. For Harwood, from the saddle at I on HJ's map just go up the ridge to the summit and continue East on the ridge until you rejoin the backbone trail.

So, under FO's rationale - I blew it.

NO! All I'm saying is if you have never hiked the Bear Flat trail before then do it alone. I don't think it makes much of a difference if you had already been to the summit from the other trails. So if you haven't bear flatted yet, take a piece of advice from the ol FIGHT ON, do it alone, start at least an hour before the sun comes up! You can always do it with someone else after that.
But you can only do it the first time alone once! (that's right valdez, you will never EVER be able to do that, it's gone, for EVER!!)

[Florian]

Had a great hike up Mt. San Antonio today! (I like that name better than Baldy.) Went up from Manker Flat via the direct trail passing by the ski hut. I did miss the trail where it takes off from the fire road and had to backtrack about half a mile. That's one steep trail! Especially a couple sections above the "bowl". Subtracting the time i had to backtrack it took me 2 hours 10 minutes to get to the summit. No one was there when i arrived but a few other hikers that i had passed en route arrived shortly after. Beautiful day on top with some pretty puffy clouds here and there and clear air. A different view than what i'm accustomed to from the San Jac and San G mtns. I came down via the "backbone" trail and the ski area. I liked the backbone trail a lot and i'm glad i came down that way. However the ski area wasn't so great. Kind of ruins the wilderness experience. The lift wasn't running so walked down a very steep route that basically followed the lift towers. My total time for the loop was exactly 5 hours.

I'll have some pics and my GPS track later today or tomorrow. And thanks Jim and FO for your suggestions. Next time i'll do the Bear Flat trail.

-Florian

[FIGHT ON]

I did miss the trail where it takes off from the fire road and had to backtrack about half a mile.

-Florian

I knew you were gonna miss it. On Saturday I asked two separate groups that had just passed that point where they were going. They both said the Ski Hut trail. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Can you imagine, just when you got back down, doing it 4 more times?

[Florian]

Can you imagine, just when you got back down, doing it 4 more times?

I can imagine doing it once more in a day.

-Florian

[FIGHT ON]

Can you imagine, just when you got back down, doing it 4 more times?

I can imagine doing it once more in a day.

-Florian

ok then imagine doing THAT (2X) again and then one more time!

[Florian]

Just realized i forgot to post link to some pics .. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fboyd/sets ... 37/detail/

Google Earth kml file of my route .. http://www.stargazing.com/blog/mt_san_a ... 070109.kml

I'm headed off for San G now!

-Florian

[FIGHT ON]

Just realized i forgot to post link to some pics .. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fboyd/sets ... 37/detail/

Google Earth kml file of my route .. http://www.stargazing.com/blog/mt_san_a ... 070109.kml

I'm headed off for San G now!

-Florian

very nice pictures especially if you look at them full screen.
looks like you had the whole hike to yourself!