Manker Flats to Mt. San Antonio Summit

Leader: Dave Borchart

Location: Manker Flat to Mt. San Antonio Summit

Difficulty: 8/9

Distance: 9 Miles

Gain: Approx. 3800 ft.

Time: 6 to 7 hours

Pace: Moderate / Group Based

UPDATE: 4-3-11

Just got back from hiking this exact hike! There is still snow on the trail from the ski hut up to the summit. HOWEVER I did the entire hike with nothing but my usual hiking boots and had absolutely no problems. I had 2 friends with me that have MUCH more expeirence than me, one used micro spikes and the other was boots only like me. We made the summit in just under 3 hours.

I used my ice ax as opposed to my trek poles, BOTH will work equally well.

I started at Manker Flats gate at 6:57 and made the summit at 9:50 and returned to my truck at 12:05!!! The south end of the bowl where the most snow is located has sevearl trails well situated already in the snow, no post holing, no slipping or sliding, and took us only 30 minutes to reach the ridge from the hut. Once on the ridge we hit some snow and some dirt / rock patches along the way and again had no problems making our way along.

SO!!! Here's the deal.... I'm leaving the hike on the current schedule until wednesday to see what your feelings are about attending onmthe 10th. It's my belief that if you can do this hike with no snow at all, then you should have no trouble doing this hike as is. I have 2 trek poles I will loan out one each to 2 of you that don't have any. The snow is going to be completely gone until mid to late May!!! I WILL schedule this hike again several times during the remainder of the year. Today was my 6th time to Baldy summit since last Sept 5th, the 2nd time on this particular route. IF enough of you still want to go on the 10th, we'll go... There's a chance I might schedule it again for the end of April as well.

By NO means is this for beginners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will begin our hike at the gated road to the Manker Flats. We start up the fire road to the Ski Hut Trailhead located approx ½ mile beyond the gate. At the switchback we will get a GREAT view of San Antonio Falls. We will follow the Ski Hut Trail through the Jeffery and lodgepole pines approx. 1 ¾ miles to the Sierra Ski Hut. At approx. 1.25 miles in we should be able to see the foundations of the Gold Ridge Mine that was worked between 1897 to about 1904. Another ½ mile and we reach the Hut, which is where we will break for water and snacks before continuing up the Bowl trail. At this point we will be at approx. 8200 ft. The hut was built in 1935, destroyed by fire the following year and rebuilt in 1937. One we resume our hike we cross a small stream and head for the steepest portion of our climb to Mt. Baldy’s southeast ridge. Once we reach the ridge we will head north at approx. 9500 ft for the final stretch to the summit. From here we get a commanding view of greater Los Angeles and Orange County. Along this portion of the trail we will hike among some of the most amazing and most bizarre looking trees in the entire San Gabriel Range, not to mention the oldest. Once at the summit we will break for lunch and rest, weather permitting. The winds here can be quite brisk to down and outright raging. From our vantage point we will have an INCREDIBLE 360 degree view of Southern California as far north as the Tehachapi’s to Catalina, as well as Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio!!!!

Exit the 210 fwy at either Euclid if traveling West, or Baseline if traveling east. From Euclid turn right and proceed north Euclid eventually turns into Mountain. Proceed to baldy Rd. and turn left. Proceed to Manker Flats. This is where the road splits in two. North bound on the right South bound on the left. There is a split in the island, make a u turn and park, this is the meet up point. make sure you have an adventure pass.

This is a very strenous hike and a MINIMUM of 4 liters of water is an absolute MUST!!!! Be sure to bring a good supply of high energy snacks and food for this hike!!! Several layer of clothing are strongly suggested, as the weather conditions change along the way and will most likley be cold and windy on the summit.

Further details regarding weather and snow conditions will be updated as the hike date approaches.