Wanted to get a quick hike in to be home to visit with visiting family and rest up before the Oscar show. It was chilly and windy when I started -- I actually switched from shorts to pants in the car. There was no trace of snow on Register ridge. The wind was blowing pretty good, so I was very deliberate in crossing open areas on the ridge and saddles on the climb up. Donned a down jacket immediately at the summit. A couple were taking down their Mountain Hardware tent in the big rock shelter. Started heading down to join the Baldy Bowl trail. Thanks to Lilbitmo's recon, I had microspikes for icy sections on the ridge where the trail switchbacks down to the bowl. Shortly after passing the ski hut, I stripped down to shorts and t-shirt. Lost a microspike but found my hat that I'd lost on Register ridge. Nice day on Baldy, though it seemed like late spring instead of winter.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen