A Baldy Independence Day

July 4th – Mt Baldy Adventure

I hit the trail at 6:30 am with three amazing friends, buzzing with anticipation. The morning air was crisp but promising—temperatures started in the mid-60s, a perfect summer mountain day.

Leg 1: We trekked from Manker Flats Parking up the San Antonio Falls Trailhead. The waterfall was a peaceful surprise before heading toward Baldy Notch and the ski area. On the way, we paused to admire a Giant Blazingstar flower in full bloom—its symmetry was just mesmerizing. We took a 10‑minute break at the notch, snapping pictures and enjoying expansive views across the slopes.

Leg 2 – Devil’s Backbone: The incline hit hard—my lungs definitely felt it. I took a couple of quick breaks along the way to catch my breath, but wow was it worth it. From the top, we were met with jaw-dropping panoramas: Mt Baldy in the distance, steep drops lining the backbone, and the vast sweep of the San Bernardino and San Gorgonio ranges. Here the winds had picked up; while it was cooling, the 10-15 mph winds did slow our pace at times.

Leg 3 – Final Ascent: The last push to the summit looked intimidating from below, but once on it, besides a few loose gravely paths, it wasn’t too bad. I took breaks not just to rest, but to soak the views and the progress. Along the way, many hikers and trail runners descending here cheered us onwards—I always love how encouraging our community is.

Summit – Mt Baldy Peak: We reached the top in around 3 hours—right on schedule. A giant American flag greeted us—perfect for July 4th. We relaxed: I made fresh coffee, chef-ed up some beefy mac and cheese (note: campfire permit needed if you bring a stove!). The breeze was gentle thanks to rock barriers. Some of us even took a nap, while others wandered over to West Baldy. And of course, group photo time!

Descent – Baldy Bowl Trail: Heading down was fast but technical—loose gravel and unstable rocks made trekking poles indispensable. We passed San Antonio Creek and the Ski Hut—super refreshing. My friend drank straight from the creek (I used a filter!) and had zero issues. The hut has a few Baldy Signs, highly recommend taking photos with them! One of the hut renters even came out to share water—what a kindness. We lingered to watch birds and enjoy the shade.

Final Stretch: Radios between our group were helpful—the trail split a few times we separated as we descended at different paces, but the radios helped us make sure we were headed in the same direction. The descent route was technical, with rocks, roots, and big boulders that demanded focus. Near the trail’s end, the midday heat picked up, but thoughts of the waterfall kept us motivated.

Finishing Touch – San Antonio Falls: The waterfall was the perfect finale. I was happily soaked in the waterfall’s downpour as I filtered some of its refreshing water. While most of us chilled, one of my friends attempted a risky free climb near the side of the waterfall (not recommended—loose rocks galore when he was descending).

Reflections:

Mt San Antonio felt easier than Cucamonga—likely because Cucamonga had the crazy high-speed Santa Ana winds and the unexpected wind chill. The loop via Devil’s Backbone and Baldy Bowl is pure gold: scenic, satisfying, and doable. Highly recommend it—bring some trekking poles, radios, and lots of water (2-3L at least – 2 if you plan on filtering).

Already looking forward to the next hike—cheers to more of the next peaks – halfway there!