Mount Baldy via Register Ridge is a beautiful hike with great views.

I already hiked Baldy several times for 2021, but this time my friend and I wanted to try something new. We ascended Register Ridge and picked up Mount Harwood and West Baldy too. High temps were expected in early afternoon, so we started at 5 AM intending to be done by 1 PM.

Register is steep and gets the elevation gain business done early. This is why you have great southern views of the metropolis below. Register's incline reminds me of the first mile of Skyline in Palm Springs (C2C route) and parts of Iron Mountain #1. There were no wildflowers on the trail, but the trees were interesting and the trail was beautiful. Register crosses Devil's Backbone Trail and leads straight up to Harwood.

Harwood's south face is almost entirely rock and gravel and looks alien. There's even some kind of device there that looks alien. From Harwood it's a short hike west to Mount Baldy. And from Mount Baldy it's also a short hike to West Baldy.

We descended via Ski Hut and Baldy Bowl and were back to our cars at noon. We could have finished an hour sooner but I chatted with several groups on the descent.