Mt Baldy:
(Mount San Antonio, California)
Run/Hike Details:
DIFFICULTY: Difficult to Advanced
DISTANCE: ~ 11km
TIME: ~ 4-6 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 906m (3,900′)
(Not recommended for beginner trail runners)
Where to Meet Up
– Find us around the trail head gateway at the Manker Flats parking area, across from the Manker Campground
Facilities:
– Restrooms can be found at the Trailhead.
Parking:
– In Google Maps:
Look up Manker Flat, California 91759
You’ll need to display a National Forest Adventure Pass (or an America the Beautiful Pass) when parking
Parking fills up early on the weekends. If the parking area is full, there’s usually roadside parking all the way up and down the road.
A large parking lot up by the ski lifts is usually wide open in the summertime. Park up there, and walk 10 minutes back down to the trailhead. (theres a secret hiker trail on the left that saves 5 mins… shhhh)
Ascent Route:
– Ski Hut Trail 1828m (6000′) to the summit 3066m (10,064’)
Descent Route 1:
– Devils Backbone trail to “Top of the Notch” restaurant 2377m (7,800’) (the chair-lift down to the parking lot) Bring $30 for the chairlift.
(easiest)
Descent Route 2:
– Devils Backbone trail to “Top of the Notch” restaurant. Then run 3.3km (2 mi) down the dirt service road back to the parking lot.
(longest)
Descent Route 3:
– Register Ridge Trail.
(fastest)
What to Bring
Gear List:
Footwear:
– Rugged trail runners.
– Gators strongly advised
Sun Protection:
– Hat (cap or wide brim hat) – Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna
– Sunglasses
Pocket Calories:
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt:
-Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Tic Tacs
– Whatever you bring on a race… bring that!
Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … it will get sweaty
– Shorts
– Light wind shell (Autumn/Spring or changing weather)
Poles:
– Strongly Recommended
(ultra-lights work the best here)
Vest (or pack):
Capacity/Size:
– Running vest works best to go to go fast and light.
– Runners Pack for bulky load items like extra layers.
Water:
– bladder or running bottles
– Bring an EMPTY bladder or bottle which we will fill at the spring half way up the ascent.
– Bring .5 liter (12oz bottle) or accessory bottle to drink along the way from the trailhead to the spring.
– Full sugar Gatorade or other Sports Drink is recommended during summer months.
We will refill all the empty bottles at the spring and will carry the heaviest water load from there to the summit. This will give us enough for the complete descent regardless of our descent route.
Food:
– Bring a snack like cut apple or granola bars
– Bring a small lunch item like a wrap
– (optional extras) like trail mix or cookies, something with high calories …. but keep it small
– Pack extra emergency glucose, like gels, glucose tabs, or candy that won’t melt in the heat.
Layers: (in case of weather)
– Wind jacket
– Beanie
– Light gloves
– Mid-layer (anything with long sleeves will work, just nothing too bulky)
It might be windy and chilly at the summit. We can add or subtract layers as needed.
Other Pack Essentials: (Just to be safe… )
– Small Headlamp with fresh batteries
– Ibuprofen
– Antacid
– Camera
– Glucose meter + strips (as backup for CGM)
– Emergency insulin (in cooling pack like a frio) either pen or vial+syringe or Afrezza
At least 1 person in the party should carry: – First Aid Kit (small)
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Charger+Cords
– GPS watch
– Map
– Emergency Blanket(s)
– Water Treatment
– Emergency glucose
Other Notes:
Parking requires a National Forest Adventure Pass.
$5 for a day pass (these can be picked up at the Mt. Baldy Visitors Center in town)
$30 for an annual pass (these can be purchased on-line, in town at the visitors center, at REI, at Adventure 16, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and most sporting goods stores in southern California)
On the weekends, Parking fills up pretty quick at the trailhead. If you arrive at the trailhead at 9am, you might be out of luck, however, theres usually more parking up the hill a bit further at the Baldy Ski Lifts. You just have to walk an extra 10 minutes downhill to the trailhead.
Theres a restroom at the trailhead, and at the Baldy Ski Lifts building
The Baldy Notch (“Top of the Notch” restaurant (7,800’) has a full bar with delicious cold beer on tap and in bottles, as well as a full restaurant to satisfy your post hike hunger and thirst. (they take credit cards too)
For more info or questions, email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
Finally:
LNT:
We will be traveling in a protected national forest ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
