#4 Mount Baldy

Mount Baldy has been my favorite peak since I first summited it 16 years ago. I’ve reached the top of the San Gabriels several times since then, but in 2025 I did it solo for the first time. I went up via the Baldy Bowl trail right at sunrise and descended via the Devil’s Backbone. The ascent to the Ski Hut felt more gradual than I remembered, and I had a snack with company from a relentless chipmunk. The business end of the hike came after the Ski Hut, and I took my time on the steep trail using the expansive views as the perfect excuse to take several breaks. I met another hiker on the way up who echoed my thoughts: “It’s usually pretty windy up here, but it’s really calm today. It’s hot, and I could use some wind.” The summit was calm and not too busy, and I stayed for quite a while to celebrate my accomplishment. Unlike the ascent, the descent on the Devil’s Backbone was extremely windy, and I almost lost my hat a few times. Nevertheless, this stretch of trail is probably my favorite of any hike, and I loved it! It was great to be back in the stomping grounds of my youth. What a day!