4.1 hr
Overview
The trail starts along the Baldy Road #3N01 0.8 miles from Manker Flat. It climbs steeply on the east side of the canyon above San Antonio Falls with intermittent shade from oaks, Jeffrey pines and white fir. After 1.5 miles, it enters Baldy Bowl where the Sierra Club operates a ski lhut. There is a nearby spring which has nice wildflowers.<br><br>From the hut, the trail traverses west over a large slide area (the formation of the "bowl") then climbs to the top of a ridge directly south of Mt. San Antonio, aka "Mt. Baldy". The trail is less well defined as it climbs steeply north and there are multiple routes up the rocky ridge. They all lead to a saddle just below the summit. The last pitch is steep, but the trail surface is easier to follow. Be sure to look behind you when you reach the summit as there are multiple trails connecting there.<br><br>This trail is commonly chosen as part of a loop to Mt. Baldy. If you take this trail up to Mt. Baldy, be prepared for some arduous hiking and climbing.
Trail Stats
5.0 km
1039 m
3045 m
2005 m
—
Photos
Trail is pleasant and shaded just before the ski hut.
Trail is pleasant and shaded just before the ski hut.
This is where the trail to the summit breaks off from the fire road (on the left) - it's easy to miss!
This is where the trail to the summit breaks off from the fire road (on the left) - it's easy to miss!
Flowers along the trail.
Flowers along the trail.
Looking toward the summit and ridge.
Looking toward the summit and ridge.
Really beautiful twisted trees in this section.
Really beautiful twisted trees in this section.
Mount San Antonio, Ski Hut, 2015.07.12 (17)
Mount San Antonio, Ski Hut, 2015.07.12 (17)
Snow covering Mt Baldy Road.
Snow covering Mt Baldy Road.
Finally a ridge/summit view!
Finally a ridge/summit view!
Tricky section here - steep, and sections have loose rock. Trails are a web of social trails that altitude-sufferers have trudged. I think they all link up though
Tricky section here - steep, and sections have loose rock. Trails are a web of social trails that altitude-sufferers have trudged. I think they all link up though
View up toward Sierra Club ski hit and the summit beyond.
View up toward Sierra Club ski hit and the summit beyond.
Telegraph Peak from the Baldy Bowl Trail.
Telegraph Peak from the Baldy Bowl Trail.
Traversing the base of the bowl requires a little bit of scrambling.
Traversing the base of the bowl requires a little bit of scrambling.
This section of the incline is brutal. Steep, with loose rock.
This section of the incline is brutal. Steep, with loose rock.
Baldy Ski Hut
Baldy Ski Hut
Final rise to the summit - social trails again here.
Final rise to the summit - social trails again here.
Claremont and the larger LA area from the Baldy Bowl Trail.
Claremont and the larger LA area from the Baldy Bowl Trail.
View from the Ski Hut.
View from the Ski Hut.
It speaks for itself.
It speaks for itself.
Frosty Trees!
Frosty Trees!
The final push to the top...
The final push to the top...
Mount Baldy first snowfall 2018
Mount Baldy first snowfall 2018
A snowy sunset from the Baldy Bowl Trail.
A snowy sunset from the Baldy Bowl Trail.
Aparently I'll follow this guy to the end of the earth...
Aparently I'll follow this guy to the end of the earth...
Headed down Devils Backbone off the summit. This descent is tricky/technical due to loose stone, sometimes deep with large stone pieces. I don't hike with poles but I could have used them here.
Headed down Devils Backbone off the summit. This descent is tricky/technical due to loose stone, sometimes deep with large stone pieces. I don't hike with poles but I could have used them here.
Marching to the summit
Marching to the summit
Frosty weather...
Frosty weather...
A brief moment of sunlight...
A brief moment of sunlight...
Entering the Twilight Zone...
Entering the Twilight Zone...
Blue skies on the way to the top of Badly.
Blue skies on the way to the top of Badly.
Downed Tree...
Downed Tree...
Using my hands to hike...
Using my hands to hike...
Summit of Mt. San Antonio facing south-east.
Summit of Mt. San Antonio facing south-east.
Windswept trees just below the summit...
Windswept trees just below the summit...
Following the leader!
Following the leader!