I went up Baldy Bowl and came down Devil's Backbone and past the Notch (with a stop for lunch and a beer) then walked down the rest of the way.

I brought a friend with me because I don't always like to hike alone. Though on a weekend, you are never alone. It was nice to have a friend on the trail but she was not prepared for the elevation and intensity. She kept telling me to keep going and she'd meet me. I said “that's not how this works” That last up before the peak was 40 steps at a time, but she made it. I will admit, being out on the trail 1.5hrs longer than what it would take me alone was challenging. My body is not used to the stop and start, which was an interesting thing to learn.

I was nervous about the Devil's Backbone, but it seemed far more treacherous in pictures. The scariest part is how many people you have to pass on that tiny ridge. We stopped at the Notch for a well-earned beer and burger. I am impressed with the quality and quantity of the food. Then a nice stroll down the fire road past the falls and back to the car!