A perfect grueling Baldy hike

We hiked up on mother’s day. The trail was empty, there were maybe 10 cars in the lot when we started. And we started late around 6:30. Was huffing and puffing the entire trip and it took us over 12 hours to complete.

Condition wise it was beautiful. No wind, a handful of people at the peak. Snow. Breakfast. Sledding. Kung fu fighting. It was perfect.

So real trail conditions. Waterfall was pumping real well. No snow till you get to the hut. The hut host had fresh made bacon, sausages, and rolls for the few hikers on the trail. We were allowed to explore the hut also. Snow up the summer route of Baldy Bowl to the saddle. Hiking crampons/microspikes strongly recommended. Although there were some that didn’t have it. Snow free till the next false peak. Then snow covered the rest of the way till the summit. Again, crampons/microspikes strongly recommended.  I did hit a few pockets, and the snow is about thigh high still.

Reports from the peak of other hikers was that devils backbone was relatively snow free and didn’t require crampons.

Also the winter routes on Baldy Bowl is relatively snow free. So that’s a no go area.