Took Baldy on a warm July 27th Saturday Morning. This was my second trip up Baldy, (Sept 2018 was the last) so I knew what to expect but glad I forgot how hard and steep it is! This was hike 5 in the Six Peak Challenge, I had signed up and was prepared to do the Heros Project Hike in May, but when the snow came and the hike was canceled I went away disappointed. I dont have snow gear – but happy to have fund raised for the event. I saw the Heros Project Truck and some of their hikers so thats great so see them out on the trail. Saturday by the numbers:

*left the house in Orange County about 0510

*Parked 0617, still plenty of room but already 100s of cars and people and groups marshaling up for the trip

*in the bathroom line 🙁 0627……

*0653 start on the trail

*0838 at the Devils Backbone post –

*1003 arrive exhausted at the peak trying to filter what little oxygen is in the thin air, spend about 30 minutes resting and soaking up the great 360 views. So time to climb was 3 hours 10 mins, in Sept 2018 being pulled up by daughter's brisk pace we summit-ed in 3 hours and 4 minutes – I planned to rest more this time cause I was really gassed last year at the end.

*1036 start back to Ski Hut

*1131 at the Ski Hut – creek flowing wonderfully and several other small creeks pushing water after our wet winter

*off the trail at 1244 and back to the car for an ice chest of Gatorade –

*I drank my entire camel back of 2.75 liters with about 15-20 mins left…, at the top I checked and I had 1.25 liters gone and I was already trying to conserve and felt I could let loose and drink more liberally on the way back. Next hike I will travel with an additional 30 oz water bottle or two 22 oz bottles