#DEVILS BACKBONE BALDY FREE#

The vegetation thins and the ground underfoot becomes loose in place. Hike on knowing that your goal is close and that the toughest trail is behind you. The terrain becomes rockier and there are a few steep passages below the summit. It is a 550-foot climb from the ski hut to the ridge top, tackled in 2/3 of a mile.įrom the ridge, turn north up Baldy’s south face. It seems like there should be more switchbacks on the way to the top of the ridge, but there aren’t. The dirt trail begins an unapologetic ascent through tall Jeffery pines. Once you reach the ridge, the climb is on. You will pass over large boulders, enjoying a short episode of gradual hiking. From the ski hut, follow the trail west across Baldy Bowl to a ridge south of the summit. The next section of the trail is the easiest, unfortunately the segment after that is the hardest.

However, do not count on this source because if no one is staying in the hut the water will be locked off. There is an outhouse alongside the hut and there may be cold spring water flowing from a tap just inside. Take a moment to pause at the ski hut to take in the view and collect your strength. There is just over 2,000 feet of elevation gain between the trailhead and the Sierra Club Ski Hut, reached after 2.6 miles of hiking. Above you, the green ski hut will come into view beneath the bald crown of Mount Baldy. Through tall pine trees, you will have an expanding view of San Antonio Canyon. The steady grade rarely levels out or wavers. The trail swings up the east side of San Antonio Canyon and really starts to climb. The easy-to-miss turnoff for the Baldy Bowl – Ski Hut Trailįrom here the trail becomes easier… to follow that is. This is the route to Baldy Bowl, so don’t hike past it. After the curve, keep your eye on the left side of the road where an unmarked single track trail breaks off up a gravel slope, a third of a mile past San Antonio Falls. Not far above the hairpin turn, the trail curves to the left, offering a southward view over Manker Flats Campground in San Antonio Canyon.

#DEVILS BACKBONE BALDY FREE#

Feel free to take a short detour down a path to the falls before continuing up the trail. The pavement ends and the road turns sharply to the right. After 0.6 miles, San Antonio Falls will appear, coursing down the mountain beneath Mount Baldy.

The trailhead for Baldy Bowl – Ski Hut Trail is located just above Manker Flats Campground on the left side of Mount Baldy Road.

Devils backbone baldy