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

Those bikes are actually really good for aerobic. While I was on one the other day, I was so undistracted by not exercising that I was able to figure out how to spell "aerobic."

I did better today with the arophane thing I stood on the plates attached to the round thing under the seat. I also ran into a guy by pumpkin rock that showed me how to put the playing cards in the spokes and how if you go real slow and yell snake ... I bet it work work in your area!
Hey check out Richards and Shins photos ,Baldy may be the new snow play area.

I thought Arophane was a Greek playwright.

Summit Hike yesterday... dry to the skihut although some hard ice hidden next to bushes and trees. Strong wind at 7am died down around 9. The track through the trees left of the West Bowl was mostly filled in with blown snow. From the saddle up to the large rocks was mostly bare and then solid snow to the summit. blowing about 20 right on the summit but was quiet 50 yards down. Used 8 point crampons in the snow. Very quiet only encountered 6 other people. 2 were going up the West Bowl trying some new boots but never saw them after they started up. All in all a great day for my annual birthday hike.
Hope we get some more snow by the end of the month. Happy Hiking to All, Rick

Recent spring storm didn't bring much snow.
Manker flat to Ski hut was dry. The snow was melting fast.
There was good amount of snow from the rock garden to the ridge, 9300 ft to the summit, and west Baldy direction. The snow in the main bowl was thin. But west bowl still had good amount of snow.
We must thank Brent, Mt. Baldy regular, for removing many rocks including a huge rock on the trail from Fire road to Ski hut.
Trekking poles and microspikes are helpful.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fSgdLdLRpijtn2A66

Have a great hike.

Mt. Baldy lost most of snow except under the tree section beyond the rock garden and around the summit. You can hike without any gears.
It was very windy, near 50 mph, and very cold ,wind chill of 18F.
We stayed only a few minutes at the summit.
There were many hikers on the trail.
This hike was for our WPSMB friend Tina.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RCAST5p89YLydXB88

Have a great hike.

Is Manker campground open? The site shows “yes” but I’ve driven up there before when it shows open when in actuality it’s closed.

Hi Mary,
Plese contact Angeles National Forest service office at 1-714-322-6643 or 1-714-322-6574 for the most current information.
The national forest was closed occasionally due to forest fire or snowstorm.
I hope you can find a good campsite this season.

Have a great hike.

It was very misty from 210 freeway to 4500 feet early in the morning.
It was a bit windy at the summit but clear sky with moderate temperature.
Three sections of trail had been blocked by fallen trees were cleared completely. Thank you very much for all your hard work.
There were several snow plants, pink colored parasitic plant, on the hillside of 7000 - 7500 feet. They come out around this time of year. They last around for 2 weeks. There were many wildflowers on the mountains now.
There were many hikers training for Whitney season.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mgAzVpuK9bfisTpM8

Have a great hike.

Summer has come with a heat. Manker flat parking lot was packed.
There were many hikers, hikers with dogs, trail runners, and families. Everyone was enjoying the day, but some were suffering a bit.
It was nice and cool with a little bit of wind at the summit.
I spotted a fresh snow plant hidden behind a tree around 8300 feet area. Most of snow plants were drying up. I saw a tiny snake with white rings on the entire body. Snake season is in.
I met a very nice-looking young man, Mathew. He was a member of WPSMB. Glad to meet a WPSMB member on the trail. Doug, he needs some information on Russell.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6WD97UdWpDNS2ZhC6

Have a great hike.

Thanks Shin for another great report. Russel just started to clear on the north side of the ridge . I should do a picture /write up of the shorh cut , may get it done this summer very few find it with just a vebal directions. Have Mathew give me a call 760 920 2178 . I will call him back if I miss th call on mountain .

I'd love to hear Russel conditions as well, will be up there in a couple weeks.

Icehouse canyon parking and Manker flat parking were packed even very early in the morning.
The summit was very windy and cold.

It was a very nice surprise to meet "Super Hiking Twins", Matthew and Arabella, with their parents. They are the youngest Mt. Whitney hikers, at the age of 4 years old in 2019. I have met this lovely family many times on Baldy. They have climbed 8 out 15 California 14ers already. They plan to climb a few more this season.
Doug, please be ready a large order of French fries for them in July.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WorCdAF5i35rrWiA8

Have a great hike.

Summer hiking season has come on Baldy. It was very crowded.
I had a great hike with my new hiking friends, Kevin and Christian.

Today was a very special day for "Ranger" Dan's 1500th and Brent's 500th Baldy summit. "Ranger" Dan is a retired forest ranger hiking Baldy area for over 40 years. Brent is a "Baldy 5x a day" hiker hiking Baldy for a few years. There were many of their hiking and trail running friends, Chris, Alyson, Drew, ... Also, there was a "Super hiking Twins", Matthew and Arabella with their dad. They will be on Whitney this weekend.
I met a long-time hiking friend Tom. He is 82 years young!!!
Mt. Baldy got everyone today.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JvkFWWuLx1yKMAb19

Have a great hike.

There is nothing to update on Baldy conditions. But it was hot.
There were many hikers, picnickers, trail runners and more at the summit. One big group was offering a freshly cut watermelon to everyone. It was the best treat ever in summertime on the summit.
They were so friendly and well behaved to everyone and took care of all trash out from the summit area. A great group with a great leader.
My friend slept in his van near Manker flat trailhead last night and heard bear activities. The trash was scattered around the trash vin in the morning. They were there.
We took Register Ridge up and hiked down DBBT and hiked down to Manker via a slippery scree field beneath the ski lift (short cut).
I met several longtime friends, Rick G., Todd M., Mac, and Peter P.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/mjdRHSP5ZpiP1VZS9

Have a great hike.

Thanks Shin -

Quick question for you or any others - is the Register Ridge route a fully formed trail? (I know it's unmaintained officially) Are there any parts that are difficult to follow? I haven't been on it before and am trying to convince my husband I'll be safe on it solo despite never taking that route before (I've done the ski hut route & backbone several times).

Hi tif,
I don't know anything about the official status of Register Ridge trail. It starts from 50 yards beyond the metal register on Ski hut trail (Baldy Bowl trail) on your right and join with DBBT at the bottom of Mt. Harwood. Someone was trying to block the trail over 15 years ago, but it failed. It used to be a very faint animal trail many years ago, but it is a well-established solid single-track trail. It is constantly steep with a few moderate sections. It is on the ridge line with trees and shrubs entire way. It is very nice and quiet. There are no difficult sections at all. You can take many rests with great views. You can tag Mt. Harwood at the junction of DBBT then hike on to Mt. Baldy. A tagging Mt. Harwood adds only 6-10 minutes to the hike. All trails are well established and no chance to get lost. This trail offers you a much better view of the mountain in south and north. I recommend Register Ridge trail up, Mt. Harwood, Mt. Baldy, West Mt. Baldy, then come back to Mt. Baldy.
This will give you full menu of daily exercise and training.

Thanks Shin! That helps a ton - I know it might not be an 'official' route up the mountain - but it's helpful to know the basic conditions of the trail itself.

You can view the RR trail on CalTopo.com as well as all the other
trails in the area. I've been up RR about a dozen times and always enjoy the different views as Shin mentions.
Safe Hiking,
Rick

I was talking with Rick G about a route we used in the mid 70's somewhere between ski hut trail and the ski area ,this might of been it? We moved to Utah in 1980 and I didn't hike Baldy till Shin had a 200 or some event maybe early 2000's.