On a hot Saturday in July the only sensible thing to do is wake up at 4 am and go summit a mountain.
Only 4am was a bit too late since when I got to the trailhead it was pretty darn full!
Once a parking spot was found, though, the race was on.

The summer heat in LA is nothing to shake a stick at and being out under the sun after 1 or 2 is to experience what your chicken feels under the broiler.

Luckily I was feeling my pace and and stomped up the Ski Hut trail in the shade in time to enjoy a pretty mellow descent down the devil's backbone.
Honestly this is my most recommended route since only that last leg down to the Baldy lodge is a bit steep and the rest of it is extremely mellow.

All in all, great day hike and made the burger in Pasadena taste all the better.