Before starting my second hike of this challenge, I did research on the trail conditions of Mount Baldy due to the snowfall California received this year. Next, I upgraded my gear to prepare for the change in temperature conditions and possible snow when ascending into higher elevation. Despite my preparation, I was taking a bit of risk because I never summited a mountain on snow, regardless of the conditions or inches of snowfall remaining. Yet, I arrived at the start of the trail. Determined, but nervous.

I started the trail around 7:45 am. Upon hiking the first few miles, patches of snow were present around the trails with a few small stream of water on the sides of the trails. Clearly the water streams was the proof I need to understand how much snow would be awaiting at the summit. After a quick rest at the Top of the notch bench, I began what I though was Devil' backbone trail, only to realize I was half a mile in the turkey shoot trail. I could've continue on the trail, but I decided to walk back to the Devil's back bone trail due to the snow starting to become more present to hike. I knew this was going to cost me time and more steps to hike, but I wanted to play it safe until there was no path available except forward or backwards.

After another break near the actually start of Devil's backbone trail, I started to use my crampons for the trail. As previously stated, I've had experience hiking on snow and using crampons, but never used it for a summit. In fact, I started to wonder if the crampons would be suited for the trails. Its not a mircospike crampon, however, the listing on the amazon label it as crampon. With 16 spikes and about a 1/4” inch of spike length, I think I should be good. At least the crampons did give me the grip on snow. But about half way to the summit, the snow started to accumulated on the path that it would eventually become a little confusing to follow which path to follow from previous hikers.

I was able to reached the summit around 12pm to enjoy a good break to look around fellow hikers also celebrating and enjoying their success to reach the summit. While I didn't have serve difficultly hiking in the snow when ascending, it was descending to reach the Mount Baldy Ski Hunt that should be heed with cautious. Since there was more snow on the other side of the mountain, my crampon started to have difficulty to grip snow that I started to slip and fall more frequently. Not to mention my trekking poles were sinking in more into the snow having difficulty to pull the trekking pole, although my trekking didn't have the snow plate at the ends that was probably required for easier use.

Eventually, I reached back to the parking lot around 4 pm. With more determination to continue this challenge, I'm starting to understand the serious need to be more prepare to summit these mountains while remaining more calm on hikes outside my comfortable.

Two down, four more to go.