What better way to celebrate our freedom and this amazing country we live in on a 4th of July weekend, than to take a hike and enjoy the great outdoors? The weather was very hot and even though we started early, we were in the blazing sun most of the day.  Mt Baldy isn't named Baldy because of it's abundance of trees, no it's stinking Bald! As soon as we left the Sky Hut, we were in almost full sun to the summit. Lots of rocks, lots of sun, lots of climbing. The summit was crowded, but there was plenty of room at the top. Several American flags to take some photos with at the peak, helped to make this a special  patriotic hike. After the photos and a snack, we made our way down the loop toward Devil's Backbone. We had heard some daunting  warnings about the perilous Devil's Backbone, and we approached this portion of the hike with anticipation. As we passed hikers making their way up from Devil's Backbone, we heard several people say how frightened they were while passing through it. Well, it was a little scary, but we all found it much less intimidating than we thought it would be. Having said that, when I got to the end and I looked back, I instantly understood everyone's apprehension.  It was clearly, much scarier going up, than it was going down. My advice, go up the Sky Hut trail and go down the Devil's Backbone. There's a bar at Top of the Notch where you can have a much deserved cocktail before heading down to the end of the trail.

What a great way to end the 4th of July weekend.