| Peak | Mt Baldy |
|---|---|
| Group | Solo |
| Trailhead | Manker Flats |
The 1st Mt Baldy summit on snow and what an experience, learning new hiking skills along the way…
Not too many hikers on Sunday, perhaps due to the recent avalanche on Baldy Bowl injuring 3 hikers.
I was met with varied snow conditions – deep powder, wet & thin snow and ice. Forecast were calling for light winds at around 20 Mph; however, the winds were more like 40+ Mph.
Most hikers took the traditional route via the upper Baldy Bowl Trail to/from the Ski Hut. There were a handful of daring hikers that went up the bowl despite avalanche warnings.
I mainly hiked on microspikes and a new pair of MSR Lightning Ascent snowshoes, which for the most part clawed its way up icy steep slopes & made it possible for me to plow through deep snow.
Snowshoeing is a good workout. I wish I had crampons though, because the descent on ice could have made my trek down on ice quicker & more sure-footed. Instead, I had to opt going down more gentle slopes made up of wet/thin & broken up powdery snow that even on snowshoes made me slip & slide… Got so fatigued that I glissaded at one point.
Overall, it was a good day for a hike on snow… meeting & relating with other hikers on the descent.
Not sure if you all know Sam Kim, the famed 78-year old who hiked Mt Baldy 740+ times… well if you do, I got a chance to meet him on the trail. He is sure an inspiration for this hiker…
Congratulations, David! That’s a big accomplishment. Hiking Baldy is tough even without the snow. Glad you found a safe route. Sounds like things could’ve gotten a little sketchy in sections.
Beautiful pics! I plan to hike Mt Baldy this weekend taking the regular Ski hut trail up and down. It will be my first time so any tips you may have woule be appreciated 🙂 Good job! ?
Thank you Jeff… this 1st hike to the summit on snow definitely was a great experience. Though a good workout as well… REI had a cancellation, so I will be taking their ice axe, crampon and other winter essentials course next Saturday, 2/11…
Hi Jessica… sorry for the late reply. Most likely you are on the Baldy Bowl Trail. Hope you enjoy and summit safe…
Please let me know who the hike went… (Y) 😀
David, great job and great trail report. Thx for throwing in your meeting with Sam. I think I’ve seen him four or five times while I was coming down the ski hut trail. Nicest guy on the trail. Again, great job!
Which mountaineering route up from the ski hut would you recommend for a first assault?