Now that it isn't smothered in snow I finally gave Mt. Baldy a go.  Man, this hike messes with your mind.  The first few miles are on a fire road and easy enough.  But then when you get up to “The Notch” you start going up old ski runs and they are STEEP!  Miles 3 and 4 took me like an hour each but I finally got toe The Devil's Backbone which is just the coolest name for a trail.  It was more steady climbing and I was so spent that when I got to the top I completely for got to take any cool summit photos.  Guess I'll just have to go again if I want those.  All in all this was extremely challenging for me and a great training experience as I get ready to summit Mt. Whitney in October.