Glorious hiking day with stunning views of the SoCal giants (Gorgonio and San Jacinto) towering above a blanket of clouds. It took us just under 7.5 hours to do the Manker Flats – Devil's Backbone – Baldy Bowl loop, including a 45 minute break at the summit. The return trip was faster but very demanding – my knees will forever remember the decent down the steep and gravelly Baldy Bowl trail. Met up with a group of spirited octogenarians at the summit who barely broke sweat and were already debating what their next 10er in the region should be – totally “life goals” kind of people!

One of my favorite hikes in the region and will definitely be back!