Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Conditions On Baldy

Hi Shin,
Thanks for the directions. Will take a look, hopefully in a couple
weeks. Look forward to seeing you and Mark on the mountain.
Happy Hiking
Rick

Please visit "10064ft.com" for current snow conditions of Mt. Baldy and Mt. Baldy road.
Register and visit Webcam.
This site was established by our friend Pavel, "Mayor of Mt. Baldy".

Mt. Baldy trail update:
Mt. Baldy road: Well maintained and no chain needed to Manker
Fire road: 6-12 inch snow from the water falls.
Ski hut trail: 1-2 feet deep snow.
Bowl: 2-3 feet of snow, upper part of chute has more snow.
Beyond rock garden: 2-3 feet of snow, trail goes up left
of west bowl, no trail was established on
regular summer trail to the ridge.
To the summit: 2-4 feet of snow.

The snow was wet and soft on entire mountain, not consolidated.
There were many 2-3 feet of snow holes on the trail.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eGi4rXoQP32pXvuJA

Nice to see Norma R. and Mark I. and their friend.

Shin, would I be okay going up with microspikes? Were there lots of postholing?

You can go with microspike if you want.
I tried not to do postholing as much as possible unless the existing passage was totally wrong general direction.

In winter time with snow, the trail is established by the previous hikers who set the passages/routes. The trail isn't same as the trail without snow, especially above 7500ft.
Everyone makes passages/routes/(trails) at their own choice on snow field. It is very hard to tell what underneath of snow.
There were many deep holes or high steps up or down on uneven snow passages. It is up to you to decide which is safer for you either using microspike or crampons.
I used crampons with winter boots for better control of my footwork and protection.

Ice axe was totally useless last Sunday because the snow was very soft and deep. The trekking poles with snow baskets gave me good balance and support.

Have a great hike.

Great to see you too, Shin!

I used my snowshoes once i topped out on the bowl to the summit and back to the ski hut. Mark and Sonia chose to keep their snowshoes on their packs and post-holed back to the hut. Different strokes for different folks!

That's a great photo of the helicopter!

Norma

Shin, I plan to hike Baldy Wednesday. Any updates on trail conditions?

What are the conditions on Etiwanda Peak?

Hi Baldyfan,
Mt. Baldy road and Manker flat parking was good condition.
Below Ski hut: Snow got thinner but good snow above 7000ft.
Beyond Ski hut: Solid snow.

At Ski hut: Offered a pancake and bacon breakfast, thanks.

I turned abound below the ridge around 8400 last Saturday because of rain, dense fog, wind, wet and deep soft snow with above knee postholing. Tried to set a better route....
I heard from other hikers that the condition was the same on last Sunday.

The condition should be better within next few days by a better weather.

I plan to go within next few days so please send me a PM.

Hi "Crazy" hiker,
Etiwanda peak was still there as usual looking from 210 freeway.

Hi Shin,
Do you have any details on the Helicopter rescue yesterday. Was the
guy on the West Bowl? The news agencies are void of meaningful detail
Any input would be of interest.
Happy Holidays to All
Rick

Hi Rick,
Sorry, I don't know anything about it.

Hi Rick,
According to LA Times, U.S. Forest Service issued temporary emergency closure to Mt. Baldy area effectively from Dec. 11th to Dec. 31st except residents and residents on leased land.

The rescue team has been searching for a missing hiker from Irvine since Sunday on Mt. Baldy.

Please check the article.

Thanks Shin,
Been following the info on the Hiker that went missing on Sunday. The
Helo rescue was some one else. From the footage shown on the news couldn't really tell where the hiker was or what his problem was. If anyone can share more details it would be appreciated.
Rick

According to this article the missing hiker went up Bear Canyon.

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2019/12/10...t-baldy-summit/

Hello All,
Does anyone know who to contact about the reopening of Mt. Baldy.
According to the news the search/recovery efforts have been suspended.
I think its time they reopened the Mt. I'm trying to train for a
Mt. Rainer climb in Feb. and would like to get some time in the snow.
If anyone has a phone number of the agency making the decision, please
post and those wanting to see Baldy reopened could call and "complain".
Just one Hiker's opinion.
Happy Holidays to all
Rick

See:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd684401.pdf

or Google:

angeles national forest alerts


Dale B. Dalrymple

Hello Dale,
Thanks for the info. I've emailed Mr. Perez and ask that he lift the
closure. I noticed on channel 5 news last night a reporter interviewing people hiking in the baldy area. Can't determine if the rangers are just looking the other way or just not enough manpower to
cite the violators.
Maybe if more people email or call 626-574-1613, the mountain could be
opened so we can enjoy it over the holidays.
Happy Hiking to All
Rick

Shin and others may know more about how the conditions are but my thoughts are we have had enough melt freeze now the conditions would be somewhat like took out Mr Secor and a few others that winter . My experience is snow is somewhat safe ,tiring if you post hole but hard to fall far as you will be stopped by the snow .Icy crust or ice and the more melt/freeze the greater the challenge,meaning things can go quite well until you encounter the section where crampons won't kick in the ax bounces back and your 3 point defence is over.
Keeping the area closed may seem problematic but having people risk death because they don't know or haven't experienced winter and think the "park "is open assume it is safe.
Fatal accidents and mountaineering is a strange marriage ,for the seasoned mountaineer it is somewhat a fact that each year you will know a person that won't go to the Star Wars Bar,or visit Mayberry ever again.We know that ! Many entering the family should internalize this bond what we do has risk to ourselves and others.The day I watched a rock fall that could have taken out our son,the day I helped 4 inexperienced climbers get back on route that caused rock fall that could of ended my best friends wife's life.
So keeping an area closed has this dichotomy.

In the Age Of Bucket Lists...
Government overreach is absolutely necessary...

...doesn't mean I wouldn't try to sneak past the guards...