Mount San Antonio

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°.

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Routes

27 summits • 9.1 mi • 4,007 ft gain • 6 hr 30 min

Manker Flats to Mt Baldy Road to Devil's Backbone (1-way)

19 summits • 6.7 mi • 4,059 ft gain • 4 hr 33 min • Class 1

Baldy Notch/Devil's Backbone Trail

2 summits • 10.6 mi • 4,026 ft gain

Mount San Antonio 12.9 mi route

1 summit • 12.9 mi • 3,839 ft gain • 6 hr 27 min

Latest summits

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"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." — firesoren90 • 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. " — Peak-Conquistador • 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

"It was a busy 4th of July weekend when we hiked the loop as suggested in the write up for Mt. San Antonio. We were surprised how many people came up/down on the lift to Baldy Notch, and it made the second part of the hike much busier than the first part up the fire road. Devil’s Backbone was busy – but not as busy as the summit – wow! Where did all these people come from! We returned down Baldy Bowl Trail – and because it was hot and dry – the trail was rather tough coming down, as you would slip on the dry, dusty path. I’m glad we didn’t go up that way! When we arrived at the creek by the Ski Hut, we were happy to cool down by dipping our hats and wraps in the water. We saw lots of people cooling off in the creek by San Antonio Falls on our way back to the car at Manker Flats. It was a nice hike – but next time I won’t go on a holiday weekend!" — yosinalissebeck • Jul 2, 2017

"Absolutely an incredible day. Started off by missing one of the most obvious turns ever and going up the fire road a mile RT. All 3.5 liters were gone as I hit the parking lot done. Fitbit says for the day 401 flights of steps, my legs tend to think that's accurate. Outstanding views, tough summit. " — puddlepirate • Jun 27, 2017

"Nice walk up today. Katie and I are sick and she had to turn around early but I flemmed up it. Not much traffic and cool views. Then went to a Ducks game and watched them beat up the Oilers. Great day. " — MatthewWinterberg • Nov 15, 2016

" One of my best days on a mountain! So thankful that my buddy Shaun Garman made the the hike and was my wingman on the mountain all day. It was a beautiful day with the best weather you could ask for. Made some new friends too. Can't wait till next time!!!" — DoyleWalton • Nov 14, 2016

"A classic Southern California mountain hike from parking area at the bottom of Mt. Baldy Ski Area (Elevation 6,450') Up Mt. Baldy Dirt Road to the restaurant at elevation 7,700'. Then uphill to Devil's Backbone Trail, following it up to San Antonio's Summit at 10,064'. Elevation Gain is roughly 3,600' and milage is about 13 miles round trip- out and back. Great hike, fantastic scenery from the bottom to the top. All serious So Cal hikers should do this one. Trails are steep, very so in spots, so be careful of balance, and stay hydrated and energized." — brianpowell • Oct 2, 2016

"A really easy climb. We stopped by the restaurant/ski lodge for a minute. The summit was full of people preparing for the "Mt Baldy Run-to-the-Top" race scheduled for the next day. " — Straha • Sep 4, 2016

"It was a hot day so I left an hour before dawn. Miles 1 to 4 are tough, with a gradient of 18%. After the tree line ends, the scenery is incredible. The valley filled with haze as the day went on - smoke from the Sand Fire I think. I have a full trip report and hiking directions for the Bear Canyon Trail to Mt Baldy, check out my blog. https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hiking-la/hike-mt-baldy-on-the-bear-canyon-trail/" — HikingGuy • Jul 30, 2016

"Returned after 3 years. The summit was so crowded with people, all standing around in groups, laughing and talking too loud, I was temped to ask "Where's the keg?" When I headed down the other side, on my way to Harwood, there was a literal Exodus coming up the trail. " — jimduvall • Sep 5, 2015

"Training and acclimatization hike for a Sierra trip the next week. Started at the Bear Canyon Trail in Baldy Village but quickly left the trail to go up and over Lookout Mountain. After enjoying the shadeless summit of Lookout, continued cross-country up the ridge to intersect the Bear Canyon Trail at ~8,400 ft, then up to Mount Baldy. Spent the night on the summit and enjoyed a cool, breezy night and a full moon. 6,000 ft of elevation gain, mostly cross-country, over less than 6 miles, with a full pack, in 90 degree heat! Was dead by the time I made it to the top." — klotito • Aug 29, 2015

"Warm day below. Nice chill at the top. Went the hardest route possible: Register Ridge > Mt. Baldy > Mount Hardwood > Devils Backbone: 11 miles total with 4,400 ft elevation gain... 2,600 of those feet where gained over 1.6 miles. First legit summit! (First one was Lassen Peak when I was much younger)" — nicboz • Jul 11, 2015

"Ski lift trail to Baldy; onward north to Dawson and Pine and back up to Baldy (2x today; we skirted the summit of Dawson on the return from Pine, so only one summit of Dawson); then back to the Baldy Lodge grabbing Harwood on the way, where we saw two bighorn sheep. Back down to Manker Flats via the service road." — HikerMark • Jun 27, 2015

"Second ascent of Baldy today, on the return from Dawson/Pine.... The day's hike: Ski lift trail to Baldy; onward north to Dawson and Pine and back up to Baldy (2x today; we skirted the summit of Dawson on the return from Pine, so only one summit of Dawson); then back to the Baldy Lodge grabbing Harwood on the way, where we saw two bighorn sheep. Back down to Manker Flats via the service road." — HikerMark • Jun 27, 2015

"Beautiful hike on the way up. This felt like a real mountain climb. Very impressive views from every direction and way less bugs than other SoCal hikes. One problem, returning via Baldy Bowl Trail. This trail is completely unmarked and gets very faint in some spots. Needless to say we took a wrong turn and descended in Bear Flats near Mt. Baldy lodge (about 4 miles from the Manker Flats trailhead). Luckily for us we meet two girls on the trail who had made the same mistake and were able to get a ride back to the trailhead and then returned to give us a lift. They were super cool and saved our butts. All in all it was a good day. My advice is to go back down the way you come up via the Notch. " — DoyleWalton • Jun 25, 2015