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

Thanks for the report. Actually, I was hoping for a "dry trail." Baldy Marathons happening this weekend, and I expect that the route will include the summit.

I summited Baldy today via the Ski Hut Trail. The trail is in as good condition as it gets. The weather wasn't. Sunny and 36 at the parking area in the morning. Heavy fog, 39, and visibility less than 100 yds at the parking area in the afternoon. It was just starting to sleet a little on top when I finished lunch and started back down.
Equipment report #1 (software): Based on Hiking Geek's write-up I ordered Woolpro's Merino 1/4 zip long-sleeve top and their lightweight short sleeve T. I wore them today and even with the cold, damp weather I was comfortable all day with just them on top. I carried a parka but never put it on, even when I was eating lunch on the summit. I have Smartwool's version of these 2 garments but the Woolpro are much better. And cheaper. I highly recommend them. But note, they run small. I wear a medium in everything but I need a large with these.
Equipment report #2 (hardware): Today was the first time I have been on the summit since getting a new right knee 4 months ago. I had come close a few times before but didn't make it. The knee just wasn't ready. It wasn't particularly hard getting to the top today but my knee was tired by the time I got back to my car and my overall time was slow, 7-1/4 hours total. I was doing sub-6 hours RT last year.

Well the weather says it's going to be beautiful on Baldy this weekend (in the 60's) So my son and I will be hiking the ski hut trail on Monday, hope to see some of you there!

Beautiful day on Baldy yesterday, my son summited via ski hut trail for the first time AND he got to meet Shin! It was great seeing you again Shin!
Trail was in perfect condition.

-Dan

Well what was supposed to be a nice hike up New Army Pass this Father's Day weekend with my son became a wait in the Mojave desert by the side of the road in my minivan which lost it's transmission somewhere in Red Rock Park on the 14 near sunset out of cell range. After several hours a nice man stopped and happened to have cell service and I was able to call AAA and get it towed to Mojave where we spent a very uneventful night at motel 6. The next day (Saturday) I rented a uhaul in California City and towed my van home. That afternoon after I dropped the uhaul off, I headed to Baldy anyway because I had to hike something at least! Started at 6:30PM up the ski hut trail and summited just before 10PM. Windy, several tents on the summit, but beautiful and moonlit (almost full). I hiked from the summit to Mankar down the Devil's backbone and only used my headlamp during that sketchy traverse. Moonlit trail, yes it was one of THOSE nights, almost made me forget about the $$ I'm going to have to spend on my van! Trail in very good condition.

-Dan

I just called the Angeles NF Headquarters and was told that the Ski Hut trail is closed. I didn't ask about other trails in the area.

Today l called the visitor center in Baldy Village and was told that all trails in that area are open.

This weekend the temp on Baldy is 75 and the low is 61. Beeeeyoutiful!

Cya if you're on the Bear Flats trail on Saturday! Early.

-Dan

Is the Register Ridge Trail still open? I had heard that the FS was going to close the trail. Thanks.

Hi Randy,

How are you feeling? We hiked up Register Ridge last weekend and there was nothing indicating it was closed.

Frank

Hi Frank,

Hey thanks for that info. I'm thinking of going up tomorrow.

Randy

Hey Randy any updates???

Hi Doug Sr.,
I hiked Register ridge trail last two weekends.
The trail was open as usual.

Rick G. and I were told by the San Gabriel trail builder crew almost a month ago that Register ridge trail would be closed for conservation purpose. They blocked off the trailhead by many sizable rocks. But, very next week, all rocks were removed and used for markings of trailhead. I don't know who did it.

I took all pictures about this closure on my WPSMB album but all my pictures with Picasa Web album is no longer supported by Google so my WPSMB album link is gone on the WPSMB.

There is a big dead tree on the middle of the trail around 8000 ft but it will be cleaned up next week.

Sorry I didn't follow up on the status of RR. But I concur with Shin, that the trail is open. There was one section about half way where a large tree had fallen (since late last year), but it is easy to navigate around.

The dead tree blocking the Register ridge trail was cleaned up today.

We met Mr. Don Vallejo,88 years old hiker, on steep Register ridge trail today. We met him again at the summit later. He looked very strong and he was very witty.
He is an inspiration to all of us.

There was no sign of smoke from recent Blue cut fire around Mt. Baldy. The air was nice and clean.

Was up on Baldy (Bear Flat Trail) on Sat. for Summit # 30! In 27 months! Before that I hadn't hiked in 14 years, so I'm impressed with myself... Anyway, there are new signs up on the summit and the Baldy metal marker is now cemented into a little rock cairn. The signs all point to the respective trails so nobody will take the village trail instead of the ski hut. It looks a little cluttered up there now, but we definitely needed the signs, hope nobody steals them this time. Beautiful weather by the way.

-Dan

Did the Ski Hut Trail up and Devil's backbone down on Labor Day Saturday and while there were a good number of peeps on the trail, the conditions were maybe the best ever. 58 degrees at Manker at 6:30AM, 68 degrees on top, very clear with just a touch of a light breeze. Water flowing near the hut to top off your water bottle too. Amazing day on Mt Baldy.

The signs up on Baldy are amazing. I came down in the dark and absolutely loved the reflective tape on those signs. What a God send.

Just climbed Baldy on September 8 and saw the new signs too. They must have put them up sometime around Labor Day.

The trails of Mt. Baldy got new trail signs with steel recently. They look very nice. But, the locations of some signs are completely wrong and the signs will lead the hikers to wrong directions. A few sections where need a sign most don't have a sing at all. The information of one sign isn't correct.
"Nobody has died yet by this signs" but there is a room to reduce any possible accidents in the future if we do something about it.
Since all the signs were installed by the officials so I can't express my opinion to them.

What do you think?

Shin