Conquer the Peak: Informal Group Hike Up Mt. Baldy

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Standing tall at 10,064 feet, Mount San Antonio—affectionately known as Mt. Baldy—is the highest peak in Los Angeles County. It offers a true, rugged alpine adventure right in our backyard. From the dizzying heights of the famous Devil’s Backbone Trail to panoramic views stretching across the Mojave Desert and out to Catalina Island, Baldy is a rite of passage for Southern California hikers. It is the perfect terrain for a club outing: challenging, wildly scenic, and steeped in local lore.
This outing has been organized with the help of Kevin Lee, Member #1163, who has hiked Mt. Baldy dozens of times and knows the mountain and its trails extremely well. Kevin and his wife, Ada—an extremely accomplished hiker—will be on hand throughout the day to share their experience, answer questions, and offer suggestions about the various route options.
Come out for a day on the mountain, tackle the peak at your own pace, and join us for food and drinks at the Top of the Notch afterward.

To RSVP

To join us for this hike, please log in to the Club website and submit your RSVP on the event page so we know how many people to expect at the meeting spot.

Logistics and Meeting Details

• Date: Saturday, October 24
• Meeting time: 8:30 a.m. sharp. The ski lift begins operating at 7:00 a.m., so please arrive early enough to park and get ready.
• Meeting location: The parking lot at the bottom of Ski Lift #1.
• Cell service: There is little to no cell service on the mountain. Please plan ahead and be on time, as we will not be able to coordinate by text once we arrive.

Choose Your Route

This is a relaxed, informal gathering. We do not need to stay in a single tight pack; everyone is welcome to hike at their own fitness level. Some may choose to turn around halfway, and that is perfectly fine. Kevin and Ada know this mountain inside and out and will be available to offer trail guidance and suggest alternate route options.
Option A: The Scenic Route—Devil’s Backbone Out and Back
Take the ski lift up to the Notch and hike the Devil’s Backbone Trail to the summit. This is the most scenic route.

• Distance: Approximately 5 miles round trip
• Time: Approximately 4 hours

Option B: The Ambitious Route—Baldy Bowl Loop
This route is intended for those in excellent hiking condition. Head up the Devil’s Backbone Trail to the summit, then descend the steep Baldy Bowl Trail past the historic Sierra Ski Hut and its fresh spring creek.

• Distance: Approximately 8 miles
• Time: Approximately 5–6 hours

Ski Lift Tickets

You can skip the grueling lower fire road by taking the ski lift. Tickets may be purchased onsite or in advance through the
Mt. Baldy Resort website.

• One-way ticket: $18.55
• Round-trip ticket: $37.10

What to Bring and Expect

• Water: Bring at least 1–2 liters of water.
• Layers: Pack a light jacket. Even when it is warm at the base, the 10,000-foot summit can be extremely breezy and cool.
• After-hike gathering: The Baldy Resort restaurant at the Notch will be open and serving food, including hamburgers, as well as drinks and beer for those who want to relax and swap stories after the hike.
• Summit photo: We will gather at the summit for a group Club photo to commemorate the day. See our 2015 Club summit photo below for inspiration!

Celebrating Shane Berry’s 70th birthday atop Mt. Baldy in 2015.

Important Safety and Liability Notice

Please keep in mind that this is not an official Club-sponsored event. It is an entirely informal, private gathering of friends and members. Kevin and Ada are participating as fellow hikers sharing trail tips, not as certified or official guides.
Everyone is individually responsible for their own physical preparation, equipment, route choices, and personal safety on the mountain. We will monitor the weather forecast as the date approaches.

This program was organized by Kevin Lee #1163.