I'm a Wyoming native, so I have little chance of doing these hikes. I lived in Pasadena for a bit, I just never got a chance to get out much. I just enjoy watching and living vicariously through the host, who is badass, by the way. Love to everybody in Cali from Wyoming. I hope everyone is okay after the deluge.
I agree! Before I do a new hike, I always search for it on the HikingGuy channel! His directions have never steered me wrong! Also, Baldy is dangerous and I've seen teenagers not taking it serious. I gave my trekking poles to a couple guys, couldn't have been more than 22 or 23 years old, slipping and sliding down the ice. Like dude, come on. It's the few that ruin it for the many.
Since I have terrible fear of heights, this is the closest I will get to hiking Devil's Backbone. So thank you for letting me see the views from this amazing trail.
Same here. I won't fly and I don't do ski lifts anymore. I don't recommend the Devils Backbone route for those of us that have such issues with heights.
Haven't done this hike yet, but do thoroughly appreciate your time and effort putting this detailed, step-by-step video together. Watching this now gives me the encouragement that I can complete it.
Wow. Pretty cool. You can get lost in there. I can tell. He made it look easy. I hope they locate Mr.Sands very soon. He's one of my favorite actors. That Devil's Backbone section looks pretty treacherous if you misstep. VERY narrow.. Hopefully he'll be found alive and well
@@bluerosegirl7471 that's the touchy part. Did he bring enough supplies to last 3 weeks or longer? Did he fall into a deep crevasse and can't get out? Did a cougar get him? Scary thoughts. I wish him well. He still has a lot to do career wise. He's only 65. He's just 3 years older than myself. 13 days is a long time to be out there during winter though
@@primusmossjr Exactly what has been going through my mind. He's also one of my favourite actors and seems like a really decent person. I hope it's a good outcome but it all depends on so many factors.
Thank you for this video. It gave me the confidence to go solo this morning. The Devil’s Backbone was very windy. The wind deterred another newbie to the trail from going across...he turned back. I spent about 5 minutes at the summit and finished the loop in 5 hours. I also took screenshots of the markers mentioned in the video, which were very helpful. There are new signs posted on the way down. I loved the journey. Thank you!
Congrats on the summit, it's a tough one! And glad the guide came in handy. I'm going to head up in the next few weeks and shoot a new video with the new signs. Glad that they're up. See you out there..
Very cool but LONG hike. 3rd time at Mt Baldy and making same mistakes. SUN IS STRONG. Wear long sleeve and SPF60. Go when its cooler. Start at noon and took me sweating like Popsicle 3.5hr up and RUSHING 2.5hr down.
I moved from the area and have not done these hikes since then. I have been to the top (at least) 25 times. The are several ways to go. There used to me a race from the parking lot, down to the dirt road and then taking this rout the rest of the way; I was pretty fast so I was always in the high-60s. I have also gone up the trail this one comes down and in the winter veered to the bowl after the hike and kicked step into the snow and ascended more or less straight up it. But the hike that I liked best is the one from the Village right up the ridge, six miles and almost 6000' to the top. If you want to take a hike with almost no one on the trail, that is the route. In the ten times up that route only once did I meet someone on the trail other than the very beginning and then right at the top. I am now in my mid-70s and I am wondering if I can get in good enough shape to do that hike (with someone strong for assistance in case something goes wrong).
Just hiked Baldy today. Breezy and very cold at summit. Since it’s Halloween, some people hiked to the summit wearing costumes! It was a difficult hike to be honest.
Devil's backbone -- what do you do if someone is also on the trail coming at you from the opposite direction? Do people just go one group at a time so you do not need to pass anyone? It looks pretty terrifying by the way.
The camera makes it look a little worse than it is. Generally people pass slowly and carefully with one party stopping. It's usually not a problem, but if you feel uncomfortable you can always backtrack to a wider spot.
Thanks a lot for the tips. I used to run marathons, now I want to start hiking. I heard about the 6 pack of peaks, planning on doing them the next few weeks. Super excited!!
Do some people actually crawl on their hands and knees to get across the Devil’s Backbone? You mentioned that in your narration but I was wondering if people actually did that for real.
Im scared of heights and honestly not bad at all. Just cool views. I can see why during winter its terrifying tho, snow and ice make it really easy to fall to ur death.
This is a great video! I would not have felt confident to do this hike alone without watching this video. Did the hike in under six hours because I followed the directions exactly. I’d definitely recommend hiking shoes/boots and poles due to the incline towards the peak.Thanks for putting this together!
Not sure of the exact width but you should be fine. Tons of people do this hike all the time without falling off. & Only real falls happen in winter when icy, etc.
Did this hike today, and though we didn't make it to the top because my girlfriend had knee pain, we actually went through Devil's Backbone and didn't even know it. We still thought it was further ahead. Definitely not as scary as the video makes it look. You would have to be pretty dumb to fall off it in the summer.
Thank you HikingGuy for this video, I used this video guide for my Mt. Baldy Summit hike last Sunday. One thing I'm not prepared for is the elevation sickness! That hits me so hard at the last push at the Devil's Backbone trail. Tip-toeing, throbbing headache and wanting to throw up so bad. But thank goodness I manage hitting the summit and finish the whole trail! My hiking time is from 6:30 AM - 6 PM XD
Congrats on the summit! Yea, the elevation thing can be tricky. Most people are okay on Baldy but you never know. I live at sea level and can usually feel it a little bit when I get up in the mountains, sometimes it's worse than others, it's a bit of a crap shoot.
If you're in the Pacific NW region of the US, I can recommend a fantastic day hike to where the Rain Forest and Pacific Ocean meet. You need to travel to the Lake Ozette ranger station where two equidistant ~3 mile trails begin. The Rangers provide information, maps and bear cannisters if your planning to camp on the ocean. The trails are maintained by volunteers and they do a good job keeping the trails reasonably safe. There is little to no elevation gain or loss to the hikes. There is no potable water along the trails or at the beach, so pack what you think you'll need. The region gets exceptional amounts of rain (Rain Forest!), so be prepared for inclement weather. What you get in return is some of the most beautiful screnery possible consisting of some of the world's largest Spruce, Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees, covered in moss and ferns abound everywhere. When you get to the ocean, you'll be greeted by breathtaking views, not to mention the sunsets behind near-by land/rock formations. I've done this hike and camped on the beach several times. I'm always anxious to do it again. If you have a "bucket list," this hike deserves to be on it. Happy trails!
Great suggestion, thank you! I've actually stayed at La Push before and have spent a decent amount of time on the peninsula (a good friend lives in Port Townsend), but have never hiked around the lake. Will check it out the next time I am there. That whole area is incredible. Also, not sure if you saw it, but I have a video for Hoh Rainforest & Blue Glacier in the ballpark.
Did this hike before sunrise on 10/21/2022 in reverse - Baldy Bowl Trail then Devils Backbone to increase the challenge. The yellow banded poles shown in the video help you visually course correct near the summit on the Baldy Bowl side without having to constantly look at GPS. Watching this video also helped me pick up the trail after several boulder fields. Devil's backbone side is still very easy to follow. Thanks for putting this video together Hiking Guy - had a great hike👍
Just found this vídeo searching for info on Mr Sands. It's a very good vídeo showcasing the whole scenery. There are some similarities with Shasta. There's probably snow there now. Prayers for him and his family🙏, it's very sad that these disappearances keep happening and happening...😢
Very cool - like a virtual hike. TH-cam is full of wonders. I hiked Baldy with my dad when I was about 10 and remembered it as being less intense. The Devil's Backbone section looks pretty gnarly on the video.
Great work! Been following your videos and guides for years, leading to successful hikes, with many peaks in California, including Baldy and Whitney. I would be interested in your feedback on a safe time and route this summer to hike Baldy.
Dude, I have seen a few videos and websites that describe this and I had no idea what it is like to hike it. This video I would download on my phone for the hike!
I used to hike Ski Hut trail up to Baldy summit (challenging for me) and then back down the Devils Backbone when I lived in Socal. I really miss those hikes after leaving the state. Thanks for the great video.
I walked up from the parking lot to the restaurant the other day. It was hot hot hot; like 90F+. I had 20lbs of gear on my back: just in case I got lost I had a stove and dehydrated food, a giant battery and a Zoleo, headlamp, multiple layers, etc. But the trail was easy in that area, so I basically lugged up 20lbs of gear for nothing. Could have just gotten away with 4lbs of water. Or could have just brought a 1L Nalgene and filled up at the restaurant, then used a Sawyer on the creek by the ski hut.
@@soniadowney7427 yeah the next time I went, I went up the ski hut trail with just 12-15 pounds and it was much easier. I see some people just wearing fast packs where the strategy is just to move fast so they don't get caught after dark.
I can't believe today or yesterday a bunch of amateur student and teacher hikers got stuck overnight at Mt Baldy... it's ridiculous because your video shows how easy it is to climb to the top and back down!
Did this a couple weeks ago. Took my time. 10 hours. Devils Backbone was intense. Love the term "Soul Crushing" as some of the inclines were. Upgraded my footwear based on one of your other video's. Thanks for all you do. Good stuff.
Hi is it true they have sasquatch or dogman type cryptids at mt baldy. Seems there's some mysterious situations and deaths there. Everyone be careful and go with a friend. Rip julian Sands and all who passed hitting trails on my baldy. Beautiful but looks very perilous.😮
Awesome, glad the vids have come in handy, have you checked out the website too? If you did Wilson and Cucamonga, Baldy will be fine, if not a bit easier. Good luck!
HikingGuy, for this type of terrain done in the summer, are trail running shoes acceptable, or would you go with ankle-height, light weight traditional hikers?
I've been looking at Mt baldy over 40 years and your video is the first time I've seen what the summit looks like. Great share, thanks. I always assumed the summit wasn't accessible. Now I see it's doable.
I watched this video a couple of times, looking forward to hiking this trail in the near future. Thank you for taking the time and effort to film this, and many other helpful vids!
Baldy is and will always be one of our favorite hikes in the LA area. However, a word of caution for hikers heading out this summer - it is PACKED right now. We've noticed more hikers than ever on all trails, but Baldy especially seems to be impacted by the greater influx of hikers during the coronavirus lockdowns. Bring a mask, practice good trail etiquette, respect your fellow hikers, and GO EARLY (if you can start in the dark with a headlamp, even better). Enjoy =)
Yea, good tips... the trails are really busy these days. For those of you new to hiking check out my beginners tips on the website. Doing a little reading up front will make your hike much more enjoyable.
All your tips are good except "bring a mask" ..that's just lame.. You're outside in the open air. Leave your mask at home. Or better yet throw it away into the trash can for good and never trust the government again.
Thanks for this info! Just did this hike yesterday. Printed out some screen shots from this video and it helped me find my way up along with other info from your website. I have an issue with heights and had to turn around at 8:06 in your video. Then some nice person passed me after checking to see if I was ok and I watched him do the 8:09 section like a ninja. He crouched down and was looking at the right side of the wall instead of the scary left side drop. So I turned around and did it staring at the right side wall as much as possible and a lot less ninja like. I thought it was just the camera lens distortion that made these trails look narrow but they really are. Glad I did it but I won't ever do the Devils route again. I had no issues with the rest of the trail. One thing I don't see mentioned a lot is the use of gloves. I had a pair of snow skiing gloves that came in handy. Even with those on my fingers were still getting a bit uncomfortably cold. Near the top at around 3 or 4pm the wind was really starting to pick up and the wind chill factor was getting to my fingers through the gloves.
Beautiful place. I am actually going camping solo this upcoming week. I was thinking on going to lytle creek but mountain baldy seems better. I do love hiking so i was thinking on a place to hike. Is this a good place for a begginer? I do cardio and excercise most days so i can say i am fit
Yes, there are plenty of folks who are beginners who do this. Just follow the advice on the guide on my website (link in description). You'll probably just want to hike it before you backpack it though. Overnight can get really windy and cold.
I would be quite scared of devil's backbone, but I think it'd be good for me! I'm working on my fear of heights and I think I could do it if I really focused (and maybe brought some gloves in case I decided to crawl 😂)
You can do it! Lots of folks work through the fear here, and it's not as bad as it looks. Just focus on your next step, don't look around, and you'll be good!
THANK YOU FOR THIS!! I got very lost (pretty scary actually) years ago...long story short....I am attempting it again this weekend and want to CONQUER. You totally helped me feel confident my second time around. appreciate you.
You're welcome! Yea, lots of folks conquer this one and you can do. Preparing by reading trail guides, watching the vids, etc. is def helpful. Good luck!
Dude, what a great, hard hike. Keep up the great work. We are waiting for our Mt. Whitney permit on the 24th, crossing our fingers. Your video will be watched over and over!
Just did this hike a few days ago and your video + hiking directions came in extremely handy. Thanks for putting it all together! I filmed my journey if you want to check it out!
I did this the last two weekends ..so beautiful. And these directions were extremely helpful. Did it once staring early in the morning and once leaving around 3pm returning at sunset. Both were amazing. I *think water is available at the notch all the time, so you can adjust how much you carry from Manker Flats accordingly (if that matters). There's also music at the notch in the summer, so you can summit, then eat dinner and get some beers and then chairlift down after sunset if that's your thing too. Really great hike.
Nice, sounds like some great adventures there. I never did it late with dinner at the Notch but now it's on my list for the next few weeks, great idea. Looking forward to the chairlift with a few beers in me....
@@Hikingguy Hah!! Well I'll be there Aug 24 to summit and then hang out for my fix of Grateful Dead music and would love to say hello and buy you some of those beers!!
Hi! I'm trying to decide if I should take this loop route or do out & back on Devil's Backbone trail. Can you speak to the pros and cons of each? This will be my first time climbing Mt. Baldy. I am training to hike the Grand Canyon in about a month (South Rim to South Rim - 17 miles). Thanks!
All the mountain faces there are super steep for some reason. It's not a nice mountain lol. Even when just walking up from the parking lot to the ski area, if you look down over the edge of the trail it's just super steep drops. Worse than the devil's backbone.
I've had the pleasure of doing this three times. Did it in the winter and used my back pack as a sled and raced my friend! Don't be an idiot like me, though... this dude is right. Save it for the summer/spring. I dislocated a toe during my winter hike there. Had to walk on it. It SUCKED.
Once you continue from the Notch, you can bypass that steep section by making a left at the 2nd trail junction while approaching that steep section which will take you around that steep section and meet back up with it and the Devils Backbone Trail......i.e. like you stated, "a hard left at the intersection" AND THEN A LEFT AT THE 2ND INTERSECTION. (that trail does not go down, it goes up) That would have save you and everyone after you a lot of energy that you will need later....it adds 1/4 to the hike, but moderate rather than super steep
Do you think i can do mt baldy hike? So far ive been doing small local hills and the biggest ascend ive done so far is echo mountain off the cobb estates/ sam merrill trail, which is about 976 meters but very steep and narrow trails
Just did this hike today (10/10/21), awesome hike devil's backbone was the best part even though im slightly afraid of heights (not as bad as you would think). The Baldy Bowl trail is very strenuous and not great, next time i wont do the loop, I will just go back on the devil's backbone.
Yea, the Baldy Bowl trail is a tough one, doing it as an out-and-back from the notch is still a great hike. I never get tired of the views between the summit and the notch.
When I checked online, it says the park opens at 8 AM, but is it possible to arrive earlier than this or are gates to the entrance closed? I also like to get an early start around 6:30 or so to make sure I allow myself enough time to get back to my vehicle. Thanks for any information you might have in regards to this!
This, sadly. "Not a trail to do in the winter." Guessing the Devil's Backbone got him. I actually don't think this is a difficult trail at all, EXCEPT for that. I hike steeper hills in my own neighborhood every week (think San Francisco LOL.) But I would not be able to do that ridge. Noooo way. I'd take in that Mojave view and then turn right around. Poor Julian, but he has only himself to blame I guess.
I'm a Wyoming native, so I have little chance of doing these hikes. I lived in Pasadena for a bit, I just never got a chance to get out much. I just enjoy watching and living vicariously through the host, who is badass, by the way. Love to everybody in Cali from Wyoming. I hope everyone is okay after the deluge.
don't you have the Tetons in Wyoming?
Just did this yesterday. I took screen-shots of your turn-by-turn directions from your website. Very helpful, once again! Thank you! Great hike!
Awesome, congrats and glad the guide came in handy!
I’m watching this hike because of the Mt. Baldy hiking deaths. Only if these people that died would have watched your video before the hike.
I agree! Before I do a new hike, I always search for it on the HikingGuy channel! His directions have never steered me wrong! Also, Baldy is dangerous and I've seen teenagers not taking it serious. I gave my trekking poles to a couple guys, couldn't have been more than 22 or 23 years old, slipping and sliding down the ice. Like dude, come on. It's the few that ruin it for the many.
I agree, however a lot of deaths happen during winter conditions. Unfortunately it is harder to navigate in those conditions.
Since I have terrible fear of heights, this is the closest I will get to hiking Devil's Backbone. So thank you for letting me see the views from this amazing trail.
Same here. I won't fly and I don't do ski lifts anymore. I don't recommend the Devils Backbone route for those of us that have such issues with heights.
I'm 55 years old and just getting into hiking! Thanks for the great video!
A excellent video to me it's just too dangerous 😳
Haven't done this hike yet, but do thoroughly appreciate your time and effort putting this detailed, step-by-step video together. Watching this now gives me the encouragement that I can complete it.
Wow. Pretty cool. You can get lost in there. I can tell. He made it look easy. I hope they locate Mr.Sands very soon. He's one of my favorite actors. That Devil's Backbone section looks pretty treacherous if you misstep. VERY narrow.. Hopefully he'll be found alive and well
I hope so too. But Im crying
I really hope he is holed up somewhere safe with enough supplies until the bad weather breaks. 😢
@@bluerosegirl7471 that's the touchy part. Did he bring enough supplies to last 3 weeks or longer? Did he fall into a deep crevasse and can't get out? Did a cougar get him? Scary thoughts. I wish him well. He still has a lot to do career wise. He's only 65. He's just 3 years older than myself. 13 days is a long time to be out there during winter though
@@primusmossjr Exactly what has been going through my mind. He's also one of my favourite actors and seems like a really decent person. I hope it's a good outcome but it all depends on so many factors.
@@bluerosegirl7471 I wish he hadn't went alone. Just as you said, too many factors
Love your work and all the helpful hints for the hiking community. After watching this it is now on the bucket list of hikes...Thank you!
Thank you for this video. It gave me the confidence to go solo this morning. The Devil’s Backbone was very windy. The wind deterred another newbie to the trail from going across...he turned back. I spent about 5 minutes at the summit and finished the loop in 5 hours. I also took screenshots of the markers mentioned in the video, which were very helpful. There are new signs posted on the way down. I loved the journey. Thank you!
Congrats on the summit, it's a tough one! And glad the guide came in handy. I'm going to head up in the next few weeks and shoot a new video with the new signs. Glad that they're up. See you out there..
Very cool but LONG hike. 3rd time at Mt Baldy and making same mistakes. SUN IS STRONG. Wear long sleeve and SPF60. Go when its cooler. Start at noon and took me sweating like Popsicle 3.5hr up and RUSHING 2.5hr down.
I moved from the area and have not done these hikes since then. I have been to the top (at least) 25 times. The are several ways to go. There used to me a race from the parking lot, down to the dirt road and then taking this rout the rest of the way; I was pretty fast so I was always in the high-60s. I have also gone up the trail this one comes down and in the winter veered to the bowl after the hike and kicked step into the snow and ascended more or less straight up it. But the hike that I liked best is the one from the Village right up the ridge, six miles and almost 6000' to the top. If you want to take a hike with almost no one on the trail, that is the route. In the ten times up that route only once did I meet someone on the trail other than the very beginning and then right at the top. I am now in my mid-70s and I am wondering if I can get in good enough shape to do that hike (with someone strong for assistance in case something goes wrong).
Just hiked Baldy today. Breezy and very cold at summit. Since it’s Halloween, some people hiked to the summit wearing costumes! It was a difficult hike to be honest.
My legs were shaking seen you go through the devil's backbone 😆 🤣 great video thank you for sharing
There are the remains of two F6F Hellcat fighters up there. I've seen one.
yup check out my Ski Hut Trail video for pics
Devil's backbone -- what do you do if someone is also on the trail coming at you from the opposite direction? Do people just go one group at a time so you do not need to pass anyone? It looks pretty terrifying by the way.
The camera makes it look a little worse than it is. Generally people pass slowly and carefully with one party stopping. It's usually not a problem, but if you feel uncomfortable you can always backtrack to a wider spot.
I could see Mt. Baldy from my house 🏡.
Sarah Palin can see Russia 🇷🇺 from her backyard 🏠 ⛄️
Thanks a lot for the tips. I used to run marathons, now I want to start hiking. I heard about the 6 pack of peaks, planning on doing them the next few weeks. Super excited!!
Awesome, yea, you'll have a blast. We're spoiled in SoCal - tons of beautiful hikes and peaks.
It was pretty easy getting up there when flying a helicopter!😁
the terrain on mountain baldy is treacherous and steep. It took everything I had to summit this one as it was my very first high altitude hike.
Training for this one right now I’m gonna try to summit in may
Do some people actually crawl on their hands and knees to get across the Devil’s Backbone? You mentioned that in your narration but I was wondering if people actually did that for real.
Yes they do…
No.
I didn’t crawl, but I can see where some people might.
Im scared of heights and honestly not bad at all. Just cool views. I can see why during winter its terrifying tho, snow and ice make it really easy to fall to ur death.
I saw people ‘leaning away’ from the drops as they hiked. And others gripping or grabbing to adjacent rocks and plants as they hiked.
U said u slept under the stars but the spiders that hide in those rock formations are gnarly, did u not see them?
Traveled from Las Vegas and did this hike on 9-29-22. I used your GPS tracks they were very helpful.
Did this hike with my husband years ago.
Thanks again for the great content! Do you have any notes, feedback, GPX files for the Benson lake loop in Yosemite?
that is one I have not got to do yet unfortunately
I been wanting to do this trail ,thanks Cris.hiking buddy passed away of covid.!! Will do this in memory of her.
Ah sorry to hear that - and good luck on Baldy. I'd wait until the snow is gone - much less stressful and way safer.
This is a great video! I would not have felt confident to do this hike alone without watching this video. Did the hike in under six hours because I followed the directions exactly. I’d definitely recommend hiking shoes/boots and poles due to the incline towards the peak.Thanks for putting this together!
Ahh that's great to hear, I'm so glad that the guide came in handy. It's exactly why I do them... congrats on the summit! 👍
7:14 i was with you till the devils backbone 😮
Thank you so much for these instructions! I was scared of the backbone but now I'm afraid of that catwalk. Do you know how narrow the trail is there?
Not sure of the exact width but you should be fine. Tons of people do this hike all the time without falling off. & Only real falls happen in winter when icy, etc.
Wow! I'm exhausted just walking with you on line, 😆...just beautiful. Scarey, but amazing. What's the altitude?
Very helpful. I am doing this hike in a few days. Heard there is a little snow but not too bad. Thanks a lot!
Did this hike today, and though we didn't make it to the top because my girlfriend had knee pain, we actually went through Devil's Backbone and didn't even know it. We still thought it was further ahead. Definitely not as scary as the video makes it look. You would have to be pretty dumb to fall off it in the summer.
Thank you HikingGuy for this video, I used this video guide for my Mt. Baldy Summit hike last Sunday. One thing I'm not prepared for is the elevation sickness! That hits me so hard at the last push at the Devil's Backbone trail. Tip-toeing, throbbing headache and wanting to throw up so bad. But thank goodness I manage hitting the summit and finish the whole trail! My hiking time is from 6:30 AM - 6 PM XD
Congrats on the summit! Yea, the elevation thing can be tricky. Most people are okay on Baldy but you never know. I live at sea level and can usually feel it a little bit when I get up in the mountains, sometimes it's worse than others, it's a bit of a crap shoot.
If you're in the Pacific NW region of the US, I can recommend a fantastic day hike to where the Rain Forest and Pacific Ocean meet. You need to travel to the Lake Ozette ranger station where two equidistant ~3 mile trails begin. The Rangers provide information, maps and bear cannisters if your planning to camp on the ocean. The trails are maintained by volunteers and they do a good job keeping the trails reasonably safe. There is little to no elevation gain or loss to the hikes. There is no potable water along the trails or at the beach, so pack what you think you'll need. The region gets exceptional amounts of rain (Rain Forest!), so be prepared for inclement weather. What you get in return is some of the most beautiful screnery possible consisting of some of the world's largest Spruce, Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees, covered in moss and ferns abound everywhere. When you get to the ocean, you'll be greeted by breathtaking views, not to mention the sunsets behind near-by land/rock formations. I've done this hike and camped on the beach several times. I'm always anxious to do it again. If you have a "bucket list," this hike deserves to be on it. Happy trails!
Great suggestion, thank you! I've actually stayed at La Push before and have spent a decent amount of time on the peninsula (a good friend lives in Port Townsend), but have never hiked around the lake. Will check it out the next time I am there. That whole area is incredible. Also, not sure if you saw it, but I have a video for Hoh Rainforest & Blue Glacier in the ballpark.
Did this hike before sunrise on 10/21/2022 in reverse - Baldy Bowl Trail then Devils Backbone to increase the challenge. The yellow banded poles shown in the video help you visually course correct near the summit on the Baldy Bowl side without having to constantly look at GPS. Watching this video also helped me pick up the trail after several boulder fields. Devil's backbone side is still very easy to follow. Thanks for putting this video together Hiking Guy - had a great hike👍
Just found this vídeo searching for info on Mr Sands. It's a very good vídeo showcasing the whole scenery. There are some similarities with Shasta. There's probably snow there now. Prayers for him and his family🙏, it's very sad that these disappearances keep happening and happening...😢
I would not be able to do that....
Very cool - like a virtual hike. TH-cam is full of wonders. I hiked Baldy with my dad when I was about 10 and remembered it as being less intense. The Devil's Backbone section looks pretty gnarly on the video.
Knocked this out today! Was a great day for it. Thanks for the guide, .gpx file helped a lot.
this just gave me the courage to go. thanks hiking guy !
Do it! Lots of folks do it, you'll be fine & have fun!
Dang would def take someone who's done this before a few times
For sure I had no idea some parts of the trail are so dangerous. Yikes
Just wondering what time is a good time In October to start the hike
Sunrise
Great work! Been following your videos and guides for years, leading to successful hikes, with many peaks in California, including Baldy and Whitney.
I would be interested in your feedback on a safe time and route this summer to hike Baldy.
Think it's snow free now, this route is doable
Dude, I have seen a few videos and websites that describe this and I had no idea what it is like to hike it. This video I would download on my phone for the hike!
Those clouds looked ominous, be careful
Amazing, thanks for sharing this, it helps to know what to look out for. Thanks for taking the time, it's appreciated
You're welcome, glad it was helpful!
I used to hike Ski Hut trail up to Baldy summit (challenging for me) and then back down the Devils Backbone when I lived in Socal. I really miss those hikes after leaving the state. Thanks for the great video.
You’re awesome! Keeep up the amazing blog and vlogs
thank you thank you thank you - glad that they're helpful!
Hey hiking guy.. love your videos! Really recommend Tequpis trail in Santa Barbara county
I've hiked every trail on that mountain!
I walked up from the parking lot to the restaurant the other day. It was hot hot hot; like 90F+. I had 20lbs of gear on my back: just in case I got lost I had a stove and dehydrated food, a giant battery and a Zoleo, headlamp, multiple layers, etc. But the trail was easy in that area, so I basically lugged up 20lbs of gear for nothing. Could have just gotten away with 4lbs of water. Or could have just brought a 1L Nalgene and filled up at the restaurant, then used a Sawyer on the creek by the ski hut.
At least you were prepared
@@soniadowney7427 yeah the next time I went, I went up the ski hut trail with just 12-15 pounds and it was much easier. I see some people just wearing fast packs where the strategy is just to move fast so they don't get caught after dark.
@@camphikelivecalifornia3864 👍👍
I can't believe today or yesterday a bunch of amateur student and teacher hikers got stuck overnight at Mt Baldy... it's ridiculous because your video shows how easy it is to climb to the top and back down!
Yea, that was pretty insane. A lot of folks were shocked by the ignorance level on that one.
Excellent video, really good directions. This is gold.
Did this a couple weeks ago. Took my time. 10 hours. Devils Backbone was intense. Love the term "Soul Crushing" as some of the inclines were. Upgraded my footwear based on one of your other video's. Thanks for all you do. Good stuff.
Hi is it true they have sasquatch or dogman type cryptids at mt baldy. Seems there's some mysterious situations and deaths there. Everyone be careful and go with a friend. Rip julian Sands and all who passed hitting trails on my baldy. Beautiful but looks very perilous.😮
Just did Wilson and Cucamonga peaks, how does baldy compare to those two? Is it much harder or about the same? Your videos are very helpful. Thanks!
Awesome, glad the vids have come in handy, have you checked out the website too? If you did Wilson and Cucamonga, Baldy will be fine, if not a bit easier. Good luck!
@@Hikingguy Did the hike on this weekend. Your tip to take hard left came in handy at the big boulder before ski hut. Thanks!
Devils backbone isn’t bad, I’m more worried about the boulder you have to climb over between the ski area and devils backbone. Scares me every time.
HikingGuy, for this type of terrain done in the summer, are trail running shoes acceptable, or would you go with ankle-height, light weight traditional hikers?
In the summer I'll do llghtweight trail runners for just about everything, including this guy
@@Hikingguy Okay, thanks. And since you have abundant experience, are you a Hoka, Merrill, or another type?
@@loft4me I'm liking the Altra Lone Peaks now - latest gear always here: hikingguy.com/best-hiking-gear/
Thank you!! My son and I went up to Baldy, but could not find the trail. You're awesome.
I've been looking at Mt baldy over 40 years and your video is the first time I've seen what the summit looks like. Great share, thanks. I always assumed the summit wasn't accessible. Now I see it's doable.
Took me 3 tries until I was able to summit. Its not an easy hike especially if you go up through the Ski hut.
Okay to bring my Lab dog on the hike?
yup
Helpful video but I wish when you where close to signs you got closer so we could actually read the sign.
I love ❤all your videos I do chito peak in des canso ca I check one of your videos before go there thank you you the best❤
It's beautiful, that's for sure. I would still go with a group. Great video.❤️🙂
I watched this video a couple of times, looking forward to hiking this trail in the near future. Thank you for taking the time and effort to film this, and many other helpful vids!
My brother and I are about to embark on the hike today, can’t wait to add it to the list of our adventures. 🤙🏼
Baldy is and will always be one of our favorite hikes in the LA area. However, a word of caution for hikers heading out this summer - it is PACKED right now. We've noticed more hikers than ever on all trails, but Baldy especially seems to be impacted by the greater influx of hikers during the coronavirus lockdowns. Bring a mask, practice good trail etiquette, respect your fellow hikers, and GO EARLY (if you can start in the dark with a headlamp, even better). Enjoy =)
Yea, good tips... the trails are really busy these days. For those of you new to hiking check out my beginners tips on the website. Doing a little reading up front will make your hike much more enjoyable.
All your tips are good except "bring a mask" ..that's just lame.. You're outside in the open air. Leave your mask at home. Or better yet throw it away into the trash can for good and never trust the government again.
Bring a mask. What fors? You alone in the freakings wilderness.
Excellent commentary. Detailed, lovely pace & steady camera work. Nicely done. Thank you.
Thank you, glad it was helpful!
Dose anybody know how to make it to a part where I can hike if I was walking up from the fire station at rhe start of San Antonio heights?
Thanks for this info! Just did this hike yesterday. Printed out some screen shots from this video and it helped me find my way up along with other info from your website.
I have an issue with heights and had to turn around at 8:06 in your video. Then some nice person passed me after checking to see if I was ok and I watched him do the 8:09 section like a ninja. He crouched down and was looking at the right side of the wall instead of the scary left side drop. So I turned around and did it staring at the right side wall as much as possible and a lot less ninja like. I thought it was just the camera lens distortion that made these trails look narrow but they really are. Glad I did it but I won't ever do the Devils route again.
I had no issues with the rest of the trail. One thing I don't see mentioned a lot is the use of gloves. I had a pair of snow skiing gloves that came in handy. Even with those on my fingers were still getting a bit uncomfortably cold. Near the top at around 3 or 4pm the wind was really starting to pick up and the wind chill factor was getting to my fingers through the gloves.
Yeah I lost my Polarized Ray Bans exiting the car from those High Wind
Cool hike 👍thanks for the navigation card and weather warning ⚠️
Beautiful place. I am actually going camping solo this upcoming week. I was thinking on going to lytle creek but mountain baldy seems better. I do love hiking so i was thinking on a place to hike. Is this a good place for a begginer? I do cardio and excercise most days so i can say i am fit
Yes, there are plenty of folks who are beginners who do this. Just follow the advice on the guide on my website (link in description). You'll probably just want to hike it before you backpack it though. Overnight can get really windy and cold.
I would be quite scared of devil's backbone, but I think it'd be good for me! I'm working on my fear of heights and I think I could do it if I really focused (and maybe brought some gloves in case I decided to crawl 😂)
You can do it! Lots of folks work through the fear here, and it's not as bad as it looks. Just focus on your next step, don't look around, and you'll be good!
Am with you on that. I would definitely include gear for crawling in my pack, lol. Yikes, the side slopes tho.
THANK YOU FOR THIS!! I got very lost (pretty scary actually) years ago...long story short....I am attempting it again this weekend and want to CONQUER. You totally helped me feel confident my second time around. appreciate you.
You're welcome! Yea, lots of folks conquer this one and you can do. Preparing by reading trail guides, watching the vids, etc. is def helpful. Good luck!
Thx but no thx, I avoid all trails I go off trail boys see ya
Dude, what a great, hard hike. Keep up the great work. We are waiting for our Mt. Whitney permit on the 24th, crossing our fingers. Your video will be watched over and over!
Awesome, thank you, and good luck with the permit... I've got a few days in there too
Went to cucamonga peak yesterday. Now I'm going to try this one out after seeing this video. Thanks for the tour
Glad it came in handy, thanks 👍👍👍
Just did this hike a few days ago and your video + hiking directions came in extremely handy. Thanks for putting it all together! I filmed my journey if you want to check it out!
Glad it was helpful! 👍
I did this the last two weekends ..so beautiful. And these directions were extremely helpful. Did it once staring early in the morning and once leaving around 3pm returning at sunset. Both were amazing. I *think water is available at the notch all the time, so you can adjust how much you carry from Manker Flats accordingly (if that matters). There's also music at the notch in the summer, so you can summit, then eat dinner and get some beers and then chairlift down after sunset if that's your thing too. Really great hike.
Nice, sounds like some great adventures there. I never did it late with dinner at the Notch but now it's on my list for the next few weeks, great idea. Looking forward to the chairlift with a few beers in me....
@@Hikingguy Hah!! Well I'll be there Aug 24 to summit and then hang out for my fix of Grateful Dead music and would love to say hello and buy you some of those beers!!
Hi! I'm trying to decide if I should take this loop route or do out & back on Devil's Backbone trail. Can you speak to the pros and cons of each? This will be my first time climbing Mt. Baldy. I am training to hike the Grand Canyon in about a month (South Rim to South Rim - 17 miles). Thanks!
This is the traditional beginners route. The climb is a bit easier. I'd recommend this as your first time.
Awesome hiking trail! Definitely a trail I want to hike. Thank for your video!
Have fun, yea, wait until the snow is gone, it will be much better.... 👍👍👍
Geez I was thinking ... "That looks doable until you got to the Devil's Backbone" Ummm .... no.
All the mountain faces there are super steep for some reason. It's not a nice mountain lol. Even when just walking up from the parking lot to the ski area, if you look down over the edge of the trail it's just super steep drops. Worse than the devil's backbone.
Do you know what they charge to tide the chair lift?
those 2 kids shouldve watched this video before hiking up there also why am i being recommended after the kids got lost
Same and i immediately looked for this comment lol, Its the algorithm you watched a video with Mount Baldy in the title so it recommended another
So what makes this hike so dangerous?
I have been wanting to do this hike for quite a while now. Thank you for making this video, I feel a little more confident trying it now.
Go for it! You can do it. Lots of folks do it without any prep, so watching the video puts you way ahead of the game.
I've had the pleasure of doing this three times. Did it in the winter and used my back pack as a sled and raced my friend!
Don't be an idiot like me, though... this dude is right. Save it for the summer/spring. I dislocated a toe during my winter hike there. Had to walk on it. It SUCKED.
Glad you made it out safe. I think there have been 4 rescues this week already from Baldy. It's a whole different ballgame after snow...
Let's do Iron to baldy traverse on May 30th,3 of us are going and you'll be our guest of honor.. lol ??
Ha sounds like an adventure! & thanks for the invite, I'll actually be in the PNW checking some trails out then though...
Once you continue from the Notch, you can bypass that steep section by making a left at the 2nd trail junction while approaching that steep section which will take you around that steep section and meet back up with it and the Devils Backbone Trail......i.e. like you stated, "a hard left at the intersection" AND THEN A LEFT AT THE 2ND INTERSECTION. (that trail does not go down, it goes up) That would have save you and everyone after you a lot of energy that you will need later....it adds 1/4 to the hike, but moderate rather than super steep
Can you make a GPX of that? Can’t figure out what trail bypass you are referring to as I don’t see any other route on the map.
Do you think i can do mt baldy hike? So far ive been doing small local hills and the biggest ascend ive done so far is echo mountain off the cobb estates/ sam merrill trail, which is about 976 meters but very steep and narrow trails
If you did Echo, Baldy will be harder, but I think you can do it. Lots of folks do it with absolutely no prep (which I don't recommend...)
I grew up in Upland California at the base of Mt Baldy. Its not in LA county, its in San Bernardino. County.
it's on the border
Just did this hike today (10/10/21), awesome hike devil's backbone was the best part even though im slightly afraid of heights (not as bad as you would think). The Baldy Bowl trail is very strenuous and not great, next time i wont do the loop, I will just go back on the devil's backbone.
Yea, the Baldy Bowl trail is a tough one, doing it as an out-and-back from the notch is still a great hike. I never get tired of the views between the summit and the notch.
I’m blessed to live 3 min away
When I checked online, it says the park opens at 8 AM, but is it possible to arrive earlier than this or are gates to the entrance closed? I also like to get an early start around 6:30 or so to make sure I allow myself enough time to get back to my vehicle. Thanks for any information you might have in regards to this!
You can access this 24/7 unless roads are closed because of snow. It's a National Forest, not a park, so you're good.
Can I go up and down on the Baldy bowl trail? to avoid the Devil's back bone area.
Yup you can do it that way
Is the drive from Claremont/Upland to the Mt. Baldy hiking area really steep, windy, and frightening? Thanks!
It's pretty windy but go slow and you'll be fine. Most everyone takes it at an easy speed
Fantastic Video 5 Stars.
Is May a good time time to hike there? It is beautiful view. Thank you for sharing.
this year with all the snow it's hard to say, but usually May/June is a good bet
RIP Julian Sands et al
This, sadly. "Not a trail to do in the winter." Guessing the Devil's Backbone got him. I actually don't think this is a difficult trail at all, EXCEPT for that. I hike steeper hills in my own neighborhood every week (think San Francisco LOL.) But I would not be able to do that ridge. Noooo way. I'd take in that Mojave view and then turn right around. Poor Julian, but he has only himself to blame I guess.
Very sad he attempted this in bad conditions. And im hearing cryptids roam mt baldy as well. Wow