Time: 7 hrs
Distance: 10.65 miles
Route: Manker Flats trailhead, up via Baldy Bowl trail, return via Devil's Backbone
Conditions: Hot day and not much wind at the top. Lots of rocks on way up and loose shale on way down. A few places it's easy to get off trail so nice to have GPS or map with you or find an angel along the way.
Animals: Birds, lizards, a few biting flies
Traffic: minimal on weekday, but still quite a few hikers at top
Amenities: Camp bathroom at trailhead, outhouse at green hut (3 miles up). So thankful to a couple workman at the ski hut when we were coming down who let us use that bathroom. Especially as I'd run out of water about 1 mile before (went through 3 liters and 1 bottle due to heat…well, and that trail is steep..)