Mt Baldy (10,064') Loop: Icehouse, 3 Ts, D-Backbone, Bear Cyn ~ 19 M / 7,800' G

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What: Join us for another beautiful mountain hike to bag Mt. Baldy aka Mt. San Antonio (10,064') peak via a long loop that will cover most of the Baldy area in a day. We'll travel to the Mt. Baldy Visitor Center / Ranger Station to meet-up (7:30 AM ish) & get our hiking permit and then set-up our short car shuttle. We'll start our hike at Icehouse Canyon, work our way up the creek to Icehouse Saddle, then climb the 3 T's: Timber Mtn (8,303'), Telegraph Peak (8,985'), & Thunder Mtn (8,587') before descending into the Mt. Baldy Ski Notch for a quick pit stop for water & bathrooms at the Ski Hut. We'll then climb up the Devil's Backbone passing Mt. Harwood (9,552') and then to Mt. Baldy / San Antonio itself (10,064') where we'll take a mid to late-afternoon food break & enjoy the great 360 degree views. We'll then head down a different way via West Baldy (9,988') & the Baldy / Bear Canyon & Creek trail to our finishing point at the Mt. Baldy Visitor's Center. It will be another sunny beautiful day "out & about" in the mountains. This is a great way to acclimate for future altitude trips you might be doing in SoCal, the Sierra's, or other altitude destinations. See some pics of this hike:

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Details: This hike is approximately 19.2 miles long with around 7,800' of elevation gain (uphill) & is all on trails, BUT note that it hikes harder than its rating due to all of the constant ups & downs along the way much of the day. Estimated hiking time is around 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM with a short break at the Ski Lodge for bathrooms & water mid-hike (early afternoon) & a long break at Baldy peak (mid to late afternoon) to enjoy the views & have some "real" food. Optional dinner stop in Baldy Village afterwards for those interested if time permits.

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Bring: a minimum of 3 quarts or liters of H2O with electrolytes (maybe even 4 if you're a heavy drinker or it's hotter than normal) ... & note that we'll get more water mid-hike / early afternoon at the Ski Lodge; easily accessible snacks to eat throughout the day WHILE MOVING, "real food" for the mid to late-afternoon lunch / food break at Baldy peak, light layers for any wind up high (light jacket or fleece, beanie, gloves, etc.); hat / sunglasses / sunscreen, a headlamp as we'll likely finish around dark, any first aid or "drugs" you need, hiking poles are helpful, gaiters optional, etc. Pre-hydrate by drinking ahead of time all day Fri. & again in the AM Sat. & on the drive out to the hike.

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My hiking style: we'll stay together as a group for both camaraderie & safety; we snack & drink while we move except for short bathroom breaks as necessary or to take the occasional picture; I'll take a short break at the Ski Notch to get water / hit bathrooms & then a longer break at the peak to eat "real" food / enjoy the view in the mid to late afternoon; I prefer to hike at a bit faster then average pace (? 2.5 - 3 mph on the flats; 2 - 2.5 on the steeper uphills ???).

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Weather Links:

Icehouse Canyon Trailhead (AM start only): http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.250193022580596&lon=-117.63658046722412#.UclvxjuorqY

Mt. Baldy / Mt. San Antonio (the peak: 10K elev. in the mid to late afternoon): http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=34.28913369267159&lon=-117.64443397521973#.Uc0PMDuorqY

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Contact me ahead of time if you have Q's: 619-315-9731 or stevefausset@gmail.com

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My Meetup Rules:

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1. *WAIVER OF LIABILITY: This group, its organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers will not be held responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur carpooling to and from hikes, or for any injuries or accidents before, during, and after group hikes. If you sign up and come on this hike outing you are acknowledging that you freely and voluntarily assume all risks of injuries and damages and agree to participate in the hike/outing.

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2. Please no +1s or guests allowed - all attending must be group members who have signed up for this hike. This is for liability reasons & to allow me to see the profiles of the hikers ahead of time to get a feel for the group. It's quick, free, easy, so please just sign up individually.

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