Started at about 5a and the stars were beautiful. Clear sky the entire hike and it got to be a hot one.

Like all of these hikes, this was my first time experiencing Mt Baldy. The trail was more technical than I expected – def need to watch your step and it was STEEP! Going up and on the way down. I thought the way down would go a lot faster but due to the steepness and the rough trail, you really had to be careful and take it slow in the way down.

Our route was up Devils Backbone and came down the other side going past the little Ski Hut.

Everyone talks this trail up so much and how hard it is but also beautiful. I might get some haters but I was a bit disappointed all around. Not as hard as people made it out to be. The trail was nice enough but the peak was a bit anticlimactic. I honestly much prefer Cucamonga peak all around. Really nice trail and the peak is pretty amazing.

Another hiker I met along the way said this trail helped prepare her for climbing Mt Whitney, which I just happened to do the weekend prior (Labor Day weekend). I can def see how this trail would be good for that.
I might take that advice if ever I decide to brave that trail again. I managed to summit so I don’t know that I’ll be revisiting that but something to consider for those looking to train for it.

It was a beautiful day for a hike and not too busy. Glad to have it checked off and on to the next one!