"Climbed on June 1st. Started at 9 AM, headed up the main road, and then the falls, which we went down to. Then climbed up more on the Ski Hut Trail and then turned right after the Register on the Register Ridge Trail. It was steep and loose, but had some nice views as I climbed up. There were some rocky sections, but overall pretty easy and nice. Towards the top, the pines are less present and the trail gets steeper, more rocky, and less views. Then we climb up to Mt Harwood Peak, which has nice views and a station on the top, nd some snow on the side. Then we climbed down Harwood to the saddle, which had more views and then we climbed up the switchbacks to the Baldy summit, past the small glacier with no snow, and then we reached the Baldy Summit, the sign was up there, and there was a lot of people as this area just opened on Memorial Day weekend. Then after enjoying the views we went over the West Baldy, which has an easy climb and it had a large snow patch up there. Then the West Baldy summit was reached and there was only a cairn up there marking the summit, and some views. Then I climbed up back to Baldy and then went down the Ski Hut Trail, which provided more nice pines and..." — lc444 • Aug 6, 2025

"Camped overnight at Manker Flats. Broke camp at 0800 and hit the trailhead at 0830. Plan was to take Devil's Backbone on the way up, including the detour to bag Mt Harwood, with an option to bag West Baldy as well. Given my penchant for missing turns, I purchased a smartwatch before this trip (Garmin Epix Pro) so I could navigate without needing to pull my phone out. Conditions were great -- plenty of shade at the start with pleasant temps and a cool breeze. Had the mountain pretty much to myself on the ascent; only came across one small group who were on their way down. Devil's Backbone granted great views of the desert to the north and hazy views of San Gorgonio to the east. Made it to Harwood around 1100. As I rejoined the main Backbone trail to make the final push to Baldy, my right calf threatened to cramp up and I realized my left hamstring wasn't far behind. I paused to load up on calories and electrolytes then proceeded in a relatively delicate fashion. Summited right at 1200 and all at once, doing this on a Thursday paid off -- I had the summit to myself. Two other hikers summited right after me via Baldy Bowl and we exchanged photos before they descended. Spen..." — colin • Sep 14, 2023

"This hike was very nice. I started at 5 AM at the Manker Flats TH. Then I hiked up the trail called the Ski Hut Trail. Then ascended the Register Ridge Trail. Then we ascend up the switchbacks to the junction with the Devil's Backbone Trail. Then we summited Mt Harwood, then descended the Mt Harwood Trail. Then turned right to Mt San Antonio. EAte on the summit then continued to West Baldy, then went back up to Baldy then climbed to Dawson Peak. Then went down Ski Hut Trail down to the creek, which we washed up in. We also visited the Ski Hut then went down. The TH at this time was so hot (90-95 F)" — lc444 • Jul 20, 2022

"Took the Devil's Backbone Trail to Harwood and Baldy, then the short hike over to West Baldy before heading back down the same way. Saw lots of bighorn sheep up there around the peaks, really cool. Great day for hiking." — jodola • Jun 28, 2022

"A nice hike to all of the peaks mentioned (Mt San Antonio, West Baldy, Mt Harwood). Used Register Ridge to summit. Started at Manker Flats at 6AM and ended at Manker Flats at 1PM. Passed San Antonio Falls, didn't visit. Some snow left, but not a lot. Beautiful views from every corner of this hike!! Video: https://youtu.be/YunJsrd-WS8" — lc444 • Jun 19, 2022

"I started at 8 am at Manker Flats. I hiked on the paved road till it turned into gravel. I followed the gravel part up to Baldy Notch. There I found some snow but not a lot. I crossed a bit of snow to get to the start of the Devil's Backbone Trail. The snow was getting thicker the farther I went. I climbed Mt Harwood on the way to Baldy because I chose the wrong route. I took the switchbacks to the summit of Baldy. There was a ton of people on the summit. I hiked down the Ski Hut/ Baldy Bowl Tr. The pines were getting thicker the farther I went down. " — lcnguyen • Apr 17, 2021

"Great climb up Bear Canyon. A step 6.5 mile hike from Baldy Village to Mount Baldy with just about 6,000 feet in elevation gain. Of course we had to take a few detours in route, to visit West Baldy and then Mount Harwood before descending via the Devil's Backbone Trail to the Notch. " — Philip-Yoho • Jul 21, 2018

"Drove up from Vegas to catch a couple of Dodgers games. Of course we had to hike too! We took Register Ridge up and Baldy Bowl Trail down. Hit Harwood, Baldy, West Baldy and Gold Ridge Mine Overlook." — Kevin • Jul 8, 2018

"The first stop on my 4 peak loop tour of the Mt Baldy area. Diverted from the Devil's Backbone Trail on the way up to Baldy from the Ski Lodge. Had great views all around, plus a great vantage point for previewing the steep winding trail leading up Mt Baldy. " — MikeTeeples • Jun 16, 2018

"5 minute side trip tag on the way down from Baldy. Further down Devils Backbone we witnessed a helicopter rescue of three people who somehow managed to get way off trail on a ledge above very loose and very steep terrain on the south side of the trail right at the crux. Incredible skill and execution by the SAR team." — edg • May 30, 2016