Region
Highlights
- Mount San Antonio, also known as Mount Baldy, is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the highest point in Los Angeles County.
- Mount San Antonio's sometimes snow-capped peaks are visible on clear days and dominate the view of the Los Angeles skyline.
- Also called Mount Baldy because of, as you can guess, its bald, treeless summit.
- Currently home to the Mount Baldy Ski Lifts, the closest ski resort to Los Angeles.
- Hiking trails access the summit from 3 sides of the mountain. The "Baldy Bowl" is popular with mountaineers; sections of the Bowl are steep with slopes of 45° to 50°.
Routes
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
190 summits • 10.2 mi • 3,732 ft gain • 4 hr 35 min • Class 1
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
27 summits • 9.1 mi • 4,007 ft gain • 6 hr 30 min
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
19 summits • 6.7 mi • 4,059 ft gain • 4 hr 33 min • Class 1
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
2 summits • 10.6 mi • 4,026 ft gain
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 10.4 mi • 3,018 ft gain • 6 hr 8 min
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 10.7 mi • 3,847 ft gain • 9 hr 26 min
/-117.6464047,34.2891206,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 12.9 mi • 3,839 ft gain • 6 hr 27 min
Latest summits

"May 30, 2020. Parked across from the Baldy Trout Ponds and hiked up the Bear Canyon Trail to Mount Baldy, then took Devils Backbone Trail over to the Three T’s Trail. Summit all three T’s and came down Ice House Canyon. Hiked back down the road to my car. Very windy, over 50 mph winds on the exposed parts of the trails, even though the mountain weather forecast was only 20 mph. 21.8 miles and 8,035 feet of elevation gain. 10 hours and 51 minutes on the trail. " — runningvegan • May 30, 2020

"Finally able to get back to the mountains during COVID. No snow on the trail, lots of little bugs to fly around your face, not too many people for a weekday hike, worth starting earlier to beat the heat. It's a tough push to the summit after being at sea level for months." — kerryscott • May 27, 2020

"Started at Manker Flat and hiked up the Baldy Bowl/Ski Hut Trail. After the ski hut, I mountaineered up the left side of the bowl (away from the rocks) and connected back onto the main trail to the summit. Then took the main trail all the way down. I used microspikes and my hiking pole (which I shortened and used as an ice ax when mountaineering). I did not need my snowshoes and had to remove my microspikes at one point as they were collecting snow and making me slide. " — runningvegan • Jan 25, 2020

"The Baldy Bowl/Ski Hit Trail was really nice. Steep climb, but a great workout with pretty views. I did West Baldy before heading down Devils Backbone. I was fine, but if you are afraid of heights then that trail is not for you. Did not care for the long section of road that I hiked down. Next time I would do Bear Canyon Trail to Baldy and take the ski lift down to avoid the road or do Register Ridge down. 12 miles and 4,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. June 15, 2019. A little snow on the trail to West Baldy, but no snow gear was needed." — runningvegan • Jun 15, 2019

"First technical winter climb up Baldy Bowl in mind blowingly gorgeous weather with forever views. Hooked.
Powder up to waist high from the previous day's storm made for a hard slog up what I think was GIrly Man Chute of Hourglass.
" — JustinB • Dec 7, 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

"To begin my loop hike, I began at the ski lift parking lot at the end of Mt Baldy Rd. Instead of taking the ski lift, I picked up a dirt road on the west end of the upper parking lot and connected with the dirt version of Mt Baldy Rd. This road continues to the ski lodge at Baldy Notch at the top of the ski lift. From there, I picked up the Devil's Backbone Trail and climbed to Mt Harwood, Mt Baldy, West Baldy, and then down to Gold Ridge Mine Overlook. Naturally, Mt Baldy was the main target of the hike. After visiting Mt Harwood, I continued on to Mt Baldy. While experiencing near perfect weather conditions, the steep climb from the saddle to the summit was not too painful. On top were an array of hikers soaking in their conquest. I stayed long enough to snap a few pictures and eat a sandwich before continuing on to West Baldy. I returned to the summit on the way back and then continued down the Ski Hut Trail to the dirt Mt Baldy Road. I then turned left and proceeded to return to the ski lift parking lot. " — MikeTeeples • Jun 16, 2018

"Truly perfect weather for my second summit of this local classic. Went around clockwise and down the steep use trail under the lift this time (poles are good there). Much nicer than grinding up the fire road. Also veered through Harwood for my 50th HPS peak.
Previously this mountain had occupied a position of minor awe in my imagination; representing "serious", "dangerous" hiking. The first effort left me with a painful hiking hangover. It was nice to return and zip through it basically before lunch." — JustinB • May 23, 2018

"Typical mid-Spring climb with a small group of experienced hikers. Conditions were near-ideal, except for a bit of wind at the Harwood/Baldy saddle and a touch of heat as we were coming back down. Devil's Backbone is adrenaline-inducing yet beautiful as usual, but beware reckless trail runners this time of year." — ctrain2018 • May 6, 2018

"Iron to Baldy Traverse (2x) with Scott B., Dash, and Wendi (she turned around on Iron). Gunsight Notch was the highlight of the trip with some really fun class 3. The steep climb up West Baldy included patches of mixed snow, ice, scree, and boulders. The last 300' saw us fight through 40+ mph winds getting up the ridge and over to Baldy." — tombecht • Jan 27, 2018