Mt. Harwood & Mt. Baldy via Register Ridge & Devil's Backbone 4000'/12 miles

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/1/0/a/event_260085322.jpegSpace is limited, please join the waiting list and I will move you in after reviewing your current hiking background.

Join me on Sunday morning for an exhilarating ADVANCED hike up to Mt. Harwood 9552' and Mt. Baldy 10064' via the Register Ridge or aka, the Harwood Trail, and down the Devil's Backbone.

From Baldy summit you can follow me down the Devil's Backbone to the ski-chair $12 for an 8 mile hike, or you can take the dirt-road down to Manker Flats for a total of 12 miles.

I will be taking the hard way up (Register Ridge) and the easy way down (Ski Chair).

The hike: We will be taking the Register Ridge trail, this alternate route starts from the Ski Hut trail just around the bend from the rusty sign in register. I did this two weeks ago for first time, so I have seen the route. It climbs over 2600' in about 1.5 miles (a mini Skyline) and intersects with the Devil's Backbone trail on the south face of Mt. Harwood. This route provides amazing scenery and much less traffic than other routes up Mt. Baldy though it is *very steep. Unless you can happily climb the Ski Hut trail to Mt. Baldy, don't consider this route. We will climb straight up past the Devils Backbone trail and summit Mt. Harwood then to Mt. Baldy's summit and down the Devil's Backbone to Baldy Notch.

Difficulty: Strenuous.

This will be a slower paced training hike. No rushing, walk don't run.

Time Required: 6-7 hours

Distance: 12 or 8 mile (optional ski chair down)

Gain/Loss: 4000'

Recommendations for this hike: 3 liters of water and electrolytes, pre-hydrate the day before. 10 essentials, hiking boots, hiking poles, if you use them, hat, energy snacks while hiking and lunch for summit, sunscreen, camera, and wind gear, if necessary. Smiles and happy attitudes.

Meet at the beginning of San Antonio Falls Road near the outhouse.

Adventure Pass is required for parking.

Only extreme thunderstorms or forest fires will cancel this hike.

This hike is rather strenuous and is NOT for beginners. Must have a strong hiking history on Meetup. Please be on time to get ready and make introductions.

We start hike promptly at 7:30AM.

Getting There:

Heading west on 210 freeway exit at Baseline Rd. Turn left on E. Baseline Rd and then right on Padua Ave. after a couple miles turn right on Mt. Baldy Rd. Follow it all the way up to Manker Flats about 12 miles. Approximatly 20-30 minutes to trailhead from freeway. Park on any shoulder of the road in Manker Flats area and display your valid National Forest Adventure Pass.

GPS coordinates: 34.266261,-117.626992

*Disclaimer: The Organizer and Assistant Organizers in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you and your heirs are acknowledging that you are aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge me the Organizers and Assistant Organizers of the San Jacinto Hiking Club Meetup Group from any and all liability arising from your participation in the group activities.