Mount Baldy (San Gabriel Range) – Climbing Notes
Mount Baldy (San Gabriel Range) – Climbing Notes
Mount Baldy (San Gabriel Range) Climbing notes shared by Mountain-Forecast users
Click here to submit your own climbing note for Mount Baldy (San Gabriel Range)
(NOTE: Texts may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
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December 11, 2022
Coop D from United States
Mount Baldie provides an excellent training ground for mountaineering, and technical climbing. Do your research, study the snow pack and learn the signs of danger.
*If you have no snow experience don't attempt it. You will put yourself in danger and others.*
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December 25, 2020
Gregory Suelzle from United States
Don't even consider climbing Mt Baldy in the Winter months if snow or ice is present. Keep in mind even a well trained rescuer and very experience well equipped hikers with all the safety gear have died on this mountain in these conditions. Sheer cliffs with no margin for error if you slip.
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May 17, 2020
E Bondus from United States
My Baldy is a great 10-12 mi hike, gaining 4000’, summit above 10K’. Only caution is watch the weather for rain, lightning or snow. Snow in winter month can cause deceptive cornices on the Devils Backbone trail section & have led to several deaths/year. Other snow covered slopes present risks, some deadly as well.
Allow 5-8 hours round trip from Mankers Flats campground area, including a short lunch/rest up top.
There are two main routes;
#1 is up and down the Sierra Club Ski Hut route thru Baldy Bowl.
#2 is a loop route up dirt road to Top of ski lifts, then over Devils Backbone to summit, then down Sierra Club Ski Hut trail.
Carry water as supply is sketchy on trail; try lodge at top of ski lifts, or Ski Hut if open, or creek under hut.
Remember 4000’ altitude change will give 15-20’ cooler weather up top plus winds so maybe a shell?
Have fun, take a picture, be safe
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January 24, 2017
Russell Hornsby from United States
Do not attempt to summit Mt. Baldy on January unless you have snow shoes.
None of my normal mountaineering equipment helped me when I had two feet of snow to trudge through.
Also, the trail signs were covered, as were the trails.
I also attempted it the day after a snowfall (I was unaware of it) and the conditions on Decile backbone were very windy.
On a clear day with better snow gear it is doable, but I'd say snowshoes are a must.
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January 24, 2016
Anthony from United States
Great place to go play in the snow. Great for mountaineering and snow play in the winter. Check groupon for lift ticket deals. If you are short for time I recommend taking the lift to do the lodge. The bowl is great for mountaineering training along with the devils backbone.
(NOTE: Texts may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
Coop D from United States
Mount Baldie provides an excellent training ground for mountaineering, and technical climbing. Do your research, study the snow pack and learn the signs of danger.
*If you have no snow experience don't attempt it. You will put yourself in danger and others.*
Gregory Suelzle from United States
Don't even consider climbing Mt Baldy in the Winter months if snow or ice is present. Keep in mind even a well trained rescuer and very experience well equipped hikers with all the safety gear have died on this mountain in these conditions. Sheer cliffs with no margin for error if you slip.
E Bondus from United States
My Baldy is a great 10-12 mi hike, gaining 4000’, summit above 10K’. Only caution is watch the weather for rain, lightning or snow. Snow in winter month can cause deceptive cornices on the Devils Backbone trail section & have led to several deaths/year. Other snow covered slopes present risks, some deadly as well.
Allow 5-8 hours round trip from Mankers Flats campground area, including a short lunch/rest up top.
There are two main routes;
#1 is up and down the Sierra Club Ski Hut route thru Baldy Bowl.
#2 is a loop route up dirt road to Top of ski lifts, then over Devils Backbone to summit, then down Sierra Club Ski Hut trail.
Carry water as supply is sketchy on trail; try lodge at top of ski lifts, or Ski Hut if open, or creek under hut.
Remember 4000’ altitude change will give 15-20’ cooler weather up top plus winds so maybe a shell?
Have fun, take a picture, be safe
Russell Hornsby from United States
Do not attempt to summit Mt. Baldy on January unless you have snow shoes.
None of my normal mountaineering equipment helped me when I had two feet of snow to trudge through.
Also, the trail signs were covered, as were the trails.
I also attempted it the day after a snowfall (I was unaware of it) and the conditions on Decile backbone were very windy.
On a clear day with better snow gear it is doable, but I'd say snowshoes are a must.
Anthony from United States
Great place to go play in the snow. Great for mountaineering and snow play in the winter. Check groupon for lift ticket deals. If you are short for time I recommend taking the lift to do the lodge. The bowl is great for mountaineering training along with the devils backbone.
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