Name: Mt. San Antonio via Bear Canyon Trail ("Three Saints" Series #1)
Start: 2012-09-15T08:00:00-07:00
End: 2012-09-15T11:00:00-07:00
Location: Mt. Baldy Bear Canyon Trailhead

http://www.photographyontherun.com/content/binary/HikersRidgeClouds1020489b.jpg

Hike Organizer: Paul Kemp

Location: Angeles National Forest

Hike Difficulty: Strenuous 8.5/10

Distance: 10 miles

Elevation Gain: 5500 feet

Time: 8 hours minimum

THIS IS THE HARD WAY TO HIKE MT. BALDY, EXTREMELY STEEP IN PLACES, SO ONLY THOSE IN EXCELLENT PHYSICAL CONDITION SHOULD SIGN UP. I WILL BE ASKING FOR A DESCRIPTION OF RECENT HIKING EXPERIENCE FROM ALL PARTICIPANTS.

San Antonio Peak is one of the "Three Saints," a name occasionally used to describe the high points of the three tallest mountain ranges in Southern California: San Antonio Peak, Mount San Gorgonio (high point of the San Bernardino Mountains), and Mount San Jacinto (high point of the San Jacinto Mountains). This will be 1 of 3 in a series of hikes.

INTRODUCTION: Mount San Antonio, also known as Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy, is the grand climax of the 50-mile backbone of the San Gabriel Mountains. No other peak in the range rises to challenge its 10,064 feet elevation. From its summit you look over a good part of Southern California – an expanse of mountain desert and coastal lowland. On a clear day, a hiker on its boulder-strewn top can make out the tawny ramparts of the southern High Sierra, 160 miles distant.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: A car shuttle is necessary as we will return from Baldy Notch via the ski lift. Meeting time is 8 am at the Visitor Center, after the car shuttle is organized the hike itself will begin around 8.30.

The trail switchbacks up slopes shaded by live oak and spruce to Bear Flat, a small mountain meadow clothed in a carpet of lush grass. Above Bear Flat the trail zigzags very steeply up thru shadeless chaparral to the crest of the south ridge, and then ascends the ridge line to "The Narrows," a razorback saddle at 9200'. After crossing the bare saddle the trail enters an open forest of lodgepole pines, traverses the east slope of west Baldy, emerges above timberline, and climbs to the summit for a top-of-the-world vista. After lunch on the summit, descent is via Devil's Backbone to Baldy Notch and then down the ski lift.

WHAT TO BRING: At least 3 liters of water, sunblock, sunglasses, hat, camera, snacks for the trail (preferably high-energy), lunch etc.

DIRECTIONS: Take the 210 freeway east to Baseline Road exit in the City of Claremont, turn left (west) at the bottom of the off-ramp onto Baseline Road. Almost immediately, take the first right (north) onto Padua Ave, go 1.8 miles north on Padua to the intersection with Mount Baldy Road, and then turn right (northeast). Take this road northeast and then north about seven miles to Mt. Baldy Village. The Visitor Center/Ranger Station is on the left hand side of the road opposite Mt. Baldy Lodge. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking.

For those wishing to carpool meet at the Monrovia Park and Ride, just south of the 210 freeway on the west side of Myrtle Avenue, at 7 am.

Disclaimer: The hike leaders in this group aren't professional hike leaders. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for these events, you agree not to hold the Meetup organizers of LA Hiking Group responsible for whatever happens to you on these events. LA Hiking Group does not certify the expertise of the organizers,the event or assistant organizers (hike leaders) and.LA Hiking Group is NOT responsible for any possible losses or injuries.

Paul

Los Angeles Hiking Group

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Mt. San Antonio via Bear Canyon Trail ("Three Saints" Series #1)

Mt. Baldy Bear Canyon Trailhead

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Mt. San Antonio via Bear Canyon Trail ("Three Saints" Series #1)

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