Baldy Hike

I toggled and negotiated in my head whether I should hike Baldy as soon as my alarm went off at 3am. I came back from a hiking trip the beginning of the week, my gear and snacks were still unpacked in the car. It was a matter of getting to a trailhead. San Jacinto? Or Baldy? Baldy, my favorite mountain, was also closer, so I checked the weather and set the nav to the direction of the Angeles National Forest.

I arrived at the trailhead confused and surprised at the growing number of hikers and the cars trailing behind while I inch my way to the parking lot. As it turned out, the Climb For Heroes event was also held the same day with over 700 participants! Their hike accessed Devil’s Backbone via the ski lift.

It took me six hours to summit and an additional 2.5 hours on the descent. It was a difficult and grueling hike. But it was enjoyable all the same to cheer on all other hikers and veterans to reach the summit.