** Hike Update ** Mt. Baldy via Devil's Backbone - Slow Pace and First Timers

** Friday update ** The Group has Spoken, change of hike route!

As a group you decided to change the Hike Route to do Baldy via Devil's Backbone (great view, great choice) with a time change because the lifts open later.

Well done!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hello all, I have been monitoring the weather and it appears that things have cooled down a bit, although it will be in the mid-60s when we start the hike, at the summit it will be in the high 30s/low 40s and so please bring a sweater. There is a 10% chance of precipitation after 11 am and a sight increase in the afternoon.

That said, I see myself as more of a facilitator rather than a leader so I would like some input from those of you joining this hike. Based on this information and the fact that we have so many first timers, I would like to propose that we join Curt on the Devil's Backbone route and take the Ski lift up to Baldy Notch to cut time on the hike. That being said, we would be meeting at the Mt. Baldy Ski lift at 7:00 am instead of 6:00 am. If we go this route, I will reschedule the Manker Flats route next spring. I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may cause, please understand that my intentions are by motivated by providing first timers and slow pokes an opportunity to say they did Mt. Baldy which is an accomplishment and something to be proud of...

Thank you!

Lawrence

** Friday update ** The Group has Spoken, change of hike route!

This will be a slow paced hike for members of our group who feel they are ready for the challenge of doing Mt. Baldy but feel that they need to go at a slower comfortable pace. This will be an excellent opportunity for My Hiking Club members who have never done this hike to scratch 'Baldy' off of your hiking bucket list. Since this a MHC event, it will be open to all MHC members, if you are first timer on the wait list, I will increase the number to allow you to take this challenge. Good luck, hope to see you there.

**Note: If other leaders join this hike, I am willing to split up the group to allow members to hike to and from Mt. Baldy via Devils Backbone which is the easier of the two routes. You can even take the Ski lift for $30.00 (round trip) to shave miles off the hike.

Description: Most of us will take the Ski life up to Baldy notch and take the service road up to the ski slope up to the Devil's Backbone trail head up to Mt. Baldy. Once at the summit, we will break for lunch/snack to take pictured while enjoying the panoramic view from the highest point of the San Gabriel Mountains. After our well rest at the summit, we will return down the Devils Backbone Trail cross a daunting ridge to the Mt Baldy Notch. From the Baldy Notch, we will continue down the service road to the trail head. For those who want to take a faster road, they can either take the ski lift down (cost $12), or hike below the ski lift.

Distance: 7+ miles from the Ski life (and 3 miles one way if you take the service road)

Elevation gain: 1900 ft from Ski Lift

Duration: 5-6 hrs group pace.

Difficultly: 5

Recommendation:

At least 3 liters of water/electrolyte, snack/lunch, Hiking shoes, Trekking poles.

Directions: From 210 Freeway, exit Baseline Road. Head west on Baseline. Turn right on Pandua Road and drive 2 miles to Mt Badly Road. Continue on Badly Road until you reach the village. Continue up Mount Baldy Road for 7 miles to Mount Baldy Village (where there is a visitor center) and drive another 4 miles up the road to the Manker Flat campground. Parking along the road.