Baldy was both exactly what I expected, and not. We chose the direct path that goes straight up past the ski hut and to the summit to get the elevation gain slog out of the way. So, the first bit was just about following the path and enjoying the changing colors of fall along the way. But when we arrived at a section that was buried under a rockslide, finding it became a real challenge. We only rediscovered it after a bit of a detour along the side of the mountain, and did so thanks to the bright green of the ski hut shining like a lighthouse at night. From there it was another 3 hour march up through endless switchbacks searching for the metal path markers that gave us small glimmers of hope. Near the top, the path becomes a maze of smaller interlinking paths that all arrive at the peak. However, the path down was a more interesting challenge. The Devil's Backbone is no joke. It's straightforward, but incredibly dangerous. I would strongly recommend never to try hiking this path in any sort of wind or foul weather. At some points there are sheer cliffs on either side, and others the path is not more than 2 feet wide. But if you do make it past this, it connects to the ski slopes and allows for a straight shot down to the lodge. From there, you walk down Baldy Road to a Y that has a large storage shed on the right. This is where you should take the right path that ascends up and veers north for a half mile or so. This connects to the fire road and then takes you directly back to the Mt Baldy Trailhead. Overall a very tough hike but worth it for the challenge.