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

Seems strange they'd try to route people straight up and down that section. The use trails aren't the best but they're better than trying to go straight up.

What does EIR stand for?

It's not only strange, it creates a dangerous situation.
EIR = Environmental Impact Report.

Hi Burt,
I agree with you 100%. Those three sing posts along the right side of the slope should be moved to the "ORIGINAL" trail, left side of the slope runs in rocky area. I have seen many new paths or used trails created by erosion from rain and snow and careless hikers over last 13 years. Those 3 new sign posts were placed along the "RAIN DRAINAGE", not a "USED TRAIL". There are so many used trails other area beside the original trail.
I have hiked down the section today. It is very dangerous either going up or down. It is good for bighorn sheep, not average hikers or tourists.
The damage to the slope along this EIR approved trail has expanded beyond repair already.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qnE9fN6fYFOQCX9k1

The situation looks like someone trying to fix a broken water pipe by adding a new bypass pipe without shutting off the old pipe with many sub system.
Now, the entire hill side or slope is subject to total destruction. The new signs will promote the damage more, not protecting the environment or protecting the safety of the public.

I hope that the authority should spend many weekends on the trail for evaluating the pattern of traffic of hikers before
erecting the signs which don't serve to the public or environment.

Hope, someone can fix them as soon as possible.

P.S.
Hi Southbay Mark, it was very nice to see you again today.

There was no snow on Mt. Baldy as of 12/22/2017.

Mt. Baldy Ski resort was making manmade snow at the Notch.
I also saw a Mt. Waterman Ski resort had manmade show slope.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6hIE1pa8BNCK9Jug2

Pavel, a mayor of Mt. Bald, was carrying up 60 lb of mortar bag to Ski hut. This was his 3rd trip. They are rebuilding a new out house. There were many volunteers keeping up the Ski hut for us. Thank you for the hard work.

Mt. Baldy got the very first snow last week for this season.
RickG. and I had our first hike and climb for 2018.
Very nice to see CatB. and RandyS. on the trail.

Trail condition:
Manker flat to Ski hut: No snow.
Ski hut to the ridge under tree: good snow and slippery.
In the Bowl: almost no snow.
8500-9000: almost dry.
9000-10064: good amount of snow.
The summit area was covered with solid hard snow. The north facing slope is very icy.

Micro spike and poles are must on the way down.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/SEulxwFSMFNQU0fS2

Hi, everyone. Any recent Baldy Manker Flats/Ski Hut trail observations you can share?

Had a great day on Baldy today with Louise, we went up the bowl to the summit....It was my 200th summit... Met Frank A. twice

Saw Patrick,James,Shin, Calico,Todd

pictures here Baldy

Love the trees with snow.

Hi Mark,
Congratulations on your 200th Baldy summit!!!

James,Patrick,Calico(Jim), and I had a great winter hike, too.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4snhfKH8LGEBLR3A2
The bowl was in a good condition even though with not much snow.
Please look at the warning sign posted at the gate for the alpine condition. It is a good thing.
This snow maybe the last good snow for this season.
It was very nice to see Frank, Todd, Bob,.....and many new hikers.

See you soon, all.

Mt. Baldy got bit more snow above 8200 feet than last week.
But the trail below has no snow till Ski hut.
The regular trail was covered with firm/hard snow to the summit. Microspike and poles are must.
There were some icy spots in the bowl according to James,Patrick, and Tina.
DBB trail is very icy according to one hiker.
Picture tells the condition above 9000 feet.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/0FUwLvA4SIghNRkC3

Have a nice weekend.

Did Baldy yesterday by way of Manker Flat and the ski hut trail... could see tiny patches of snow above 9,000' but only on the north facing slopes and under trees. A beautiful day, breezy on top but very pleasant. East access to drinking water water coming from the creek next to the ski hut.

Wow. That didn't take long for the now to melt. So, there is no snow on the Ski Hut trail itself, just snow off trail?

Brent N

Answered my own question up on the mountain today. Zero snow on the summit or the trail. It was bone dry. Sad.

Great day on Baldy yesterday.. many people about 60 folks on top at 11am. Question about the signs on top showing a distance to "manker flats campground as 3.5 miles" Doesn't seem to be in line with other trail guides. Did the mountain get shorter. Everywhere else seems to
get taller/longer as I grow older.
Happy and Safer hiking to all.

How is the trail?

I'll try to answer that with my best JeffM impression (which might not be that great). The trail was in good spirits the first few thousand years but the last few thousand has been a bit of a decline. Tired of being stabbed with metal posts it's going on a sabbatical and should be right as rain in a few years. In the meantime have to hike somewhere else.

Damn it, James! I just blew difluoroethane all over my keyboard.

Hope it cleaned out the crumbs. Just don't use it to clean out trail dust from your olfactory. I used to have an olfactory but I sold it for a newfactory.

I think the road might stay closed this season. There was another hit & run homicide near the hairpin. I think that brings it up to three deaths in just the last year...er, day, I mean.

(Oh, the squirrelmanity!)

Good basis for a series. CSI: Manker Flats, Law and Order Squirrel Victims Unit. I saw a squirrelmanatee once gathering acorns off the coast of Florida.