Mt. Baldy was the second challenge of my So Cal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge. My son and I hiked this one together, as we did with Mt. Wilson, and it was another hard challenge for us both. While we got an earlier start to beat the heat and the bugs not being too bad, the 10,000 feet-plus elevation definitely took a toll on us. It was a grueling hike, but we pushed through to reach the summit.

We began at the Manker Flats Trailhead and took Baldy Bowl Trail to the Ski Hut. The Baldy Bowl Trail is a shorter and more direct way to the top. However, while shorter, it's definitely not easier. The trail is very steep and rocky, with fast elevation gain. While the views were breathtaking, so was the elevation (on my lungs). We quickly learned to be sure-footed while navigating up the trail. One lapse in attention or footing could end badly…as in “falling several hundred feet” kind of badly. So, we took our time and made safe footing a priority. As for the trip back, we took the Devil's Backbone Trail. We thought Devil's Backbone would be more forgiving than Baldy Bowl Trail, but parts of the trail are equally, if not more, treacherous. So, be careful…especially coming down.

Despite the strenuous hike, summiting Mt. Baldy was an excellent experience. I couldn't believe how much  I could see from the top of Mt. Baldy – the Cajon Pass, Silverwood Lake, Wrightwood, Phelan, and the 18 and 395 Junction. It was incredible! More importantly, I now understand why Mt. San Antonio is nicknamed “Mt. Baldy.” Nothing grows at the top of Mt. Baldy's summit. It's a fairly bald summit.