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

A great warning, so well-written and detailed. I was particularly impressed by the way you pointed out that while ice axe and crampons are important, there are conditions where they don't penetrate. I think many people do not realize it until they experience it.

Another great report from Shin. The ice Shin called out can be rock hard sometimes call blue ice ,ax will bounce off crampons will not catch a grip,the often fatal accidents on the mountaineers route on Whitney holds ice like this say first 50-10 feet of the easy walk off.
When the easy walk off was coined we were
in a very long drought cycle and the route looked like a way get non climbers to reach the summit.
Thanks Shin for another detailed report.

The conditions of Baldy bowl/Ski hut trail are still Alpine condition. Snow was very icy even below Ski hut starting 7500 ft.
There were several teams of climbers were in Procrastination chute very early in the morning. Wind was very strong in the bowl. All tracks from Ski hut to the summit from last week were wiped out by fresh snow and new track was established along summer trail to the west ridge. 8700 ft above to the summit was still covered 3-5 feet of hard-packed snow. The slope exposed with consistent strong wind was blue ice covered with a few inches of fresh snow. All winter gears, crampons, ice axe, helmet, good jacket, gloves were must. SAR operation or operations were underway, and two helicopters were hovering for a few hours in canyons and ridges. There were many SAR members at Ski hut. According to some SAR members, the hiker was rescued but no details.
All climbers came down from the summit were very well prepared for the conditions. There were some ill-prepared hikers but most of them didn't hike beyond Ski hut. The snow condition of this season will be very challenging/dangerous for some time.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9Ej6T15q4Y9c66za6

Have a great and safe hike.

After 4 weekends of poor weather with snow, rain, and strong winds, Mt. Baldy got a decent spring hiking season. But there is still heavy with 3–5-foot-deep snow beyond Ski hut.
The summer trail is dry to 7500 ft. The deep gully around 7900 ft with snow and exposed dirt needs some attention to cross. Some part of trail is covered with blown off tree branches and leaves and make it a bit hard to read the mixed of winter and summer trail. There is sizable snow bridge below Ski hut.
The trail to the summit was established along the summer trail.
Good traction gears and trekking poles with snow basket are helpful.

There weren't any visible tracks in the bowl. There was a visible long snow slide, a large area was slid down, and traces of rock falls. We met a team of climbers on the way down, one looked experienced and other with micro spike and trekking poles and ice axe without skill, started 1:00 a.m. to climb one of the chutes. Why?
Snow in springtime is very unstable.

Snow is melting very fast, and the trail conditions will change every hour. There were many deep voids near trees, bushes, and rocks.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xXuo9vca53gy9wXY6

Have a great hike.

Shin, your reports are always invaluable. I hope to see you tomorrow.

Brent N

Hi Brent N., thank you for your kind words.

I got out of shape lately, so I joined hiking with my friends who are training for Sierra season and trekking in overseas trail. I hiked 04/21/2024 and 04/24/2024. The snow conditions have changed significantly, much less snow in the bowl on 24th.

Ski hut trail is almost dry to 8000 feet. 3-5-foot-deep snow to the summit still. There were many exposed rocks and scree fields in the bowl now. We climbed up Zeke' chute on 21st with good conditions. We went up regular trail on 24th.

I heard from Brent (5xBaldy hiker) on 24th that there were 2 hikers got injured badly on arms and shoulders almost same time on Tuesday, one by slipped off around 9000 feet down over the trail passed over the trail in Rock Garden and other one glissading down on the same route. Brent provided all emergency assistance and contacted the authority. (I don't know any more details.)

I provided the bowl conditions of 21st, Sunday, to one hiker on Tuesday night. His group was considering going up the bowl.
This was my reply to him.
"Most on the bowl is covered with solid snow. Ice axe went in 12-15 inches deep in the snow 8300-9000 feet. 6 inches beyond 9000, 12-15 near the mouth of the bowl. Some area around 9300 feet had very thin snow and rocks are showing up......"
The snow conditions are changed by the terrain below and elevation by the weather.
White covered slope isn't covered evenly with same amount of snow. Blue ice was exposed on some area of upper part of the bowl.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KcAhW6yUE4ZZKssT9

Have a safe hike.

Snow on Mt. Baldy is getting thin fast especially in the bowl.
This maybe the last weekend for bowl climbing.
West side (left hand side most) of bowl and 3 pin alleys (right hand side most) has still good amount of snow left. We took a long snow band of right side of Schitzo alley and upper section of 3 pin alleys. The slope was covered with slushy snow with 4-7 inches deep on top of hard packed old snow. Some areas were solid blue ice, screes, rocks underneath.
A common ice axe with spade shaped tip didn't penetrate into the icy slope well. The old-fashioned ice axe with spear shaped worked very well and provided the best performance and security. The gear selection is very important for safty.

The trail is dry most of part to Ski hut. The creek beyond Ski hut is still under the snow. There is 3-5-foot-deep snow from Ski hut to the summit.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4soNZ8BzthG8p2yW7

Have a safe hike.

Snow is melting very fast. All chutes in the bowl lost good snow to climb.
The trail is dry to Ski hut. One section of trail below Ski hut was blocked off by fallen tree.
The massive snow bridges with 4-6 foot deep developed along the creek crossing area. Some area collapsed on the way down. It is better to cross to Ski hut at a bit higher spot.
Under the tree section to the west ridge is still covered with solid snow. South facing slope from 8600-9000 is dry. There is still 3-4-foot-deep snow to the summit, but it is getting thin around the summit. Micro spikes and poles are helpful.
Info from a hiker from Bear canyon trail:
The trail is dry over the Narrows, but remaining trail to the summit is covered with good amount of snow with good track.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bnZE88QnusbniGKK7

Have a safe hike.

Mt. Baldy lost 99.99% of snow. Trails are dry and summer hiking season is in. Water in the canyon is running strong and refreshing. Ski hut Trail is perfect condition with good shade in the morning.
There were many hikers on the trails. The wildflowers are blooming.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3MhQ2HEHhWAUKucU6

Have a great hike.

Hi Shin,
Thanks for the report and Pictures. I'm going to
try the ski hut trail tomorrow. I've been fighting a
serious Bronchial Infection for the last 5 weeks but
feel strong enough to give it a go... Have you by chance
been up either of the Army passes recently? Looking for
some trail info.
Hope to see you seen.
Rick

Good Baldy hike on Tuesday. About 40 people on the summit.
a couple of first timers. Trail is in good shape except the section
on the West Ridge between the FS yellow toped Markers. Very Loose and
slick. I would suggest staying on the South side as much as possible and then rejoin the last section approaching the summit.
Water is flowing very strong at the Ski Hut crossing.
Happy Hiking to all.

Does anyone know if Manker Flat campground is open? The site shows it being open but last time I was there the site showed open only to find it full of rocks and closed.

Hi Mary,
I saw many tents at the campground for many weeks. I assume it is open for the public.

Manker flat parking lot was very crowded even 6:00 or earlier.

I encountered two trail runners were experiencing heart problems in last two weekends. Both were in their 40s and looked very fit. One was escorted down from near the summit by other runner and other was sitting down along the trail around 7300ft knowing he had previous heart problems. He refused all suggestions and insisted on going up. But I didn't see the runner rest of the day.
Hope, they are alright. It is very warm with very little breeze in summertime on Baldy. Many hikers and trail runners start their day before sunrise to avoid excessive heat.

The bright side of hike was that I ran into the "Super hiking twins" with their parents. It was their 80th Baldy summits.
I met many longtime friends, Alex, Nataly, Masoud, Brent, .....

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TMD7QpfnxXMLfcQq5
Have a great hike.

Heads up fire on Mt Baldy posted about 1 hour ago trails closed ... check local resources for details . Lift 1 still open taking people down.

Mt. Baldy area is closed till 10/31/2024

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=88825

Where can we hike now?

Let's hit trails on Sierra mountains.

Have a great hike.

Mt. Baldy was open today.
I contacted NF service office in Arcadia on 08/02/2024. The office confirmed that Mt. Baldy area was open. There was no special announcement about the closure at the trailhead. There were hikers and trail runners from Bear canyon, DBT, and Ski hut trail.
There were many wildflowers in the canyon.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NFgRojJimnEeM9Dx8

Have a great hike.

59th Run-to-the-Top Labor Day run will be on 9/2/2024.
There were many trail runners from Bear canyon, Ski hut, and Devil's Backbone trail. Over 70 years old are allowed to use poles, it's interesting.
It was very cold and windy at the summit on 08/24/2024.
The weather is slowly changing.
Met many great friends including longtime WPSMB member Frank A.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/A724npMrWMCmKFjo8

Have a great hike and run.

There was a bear roaming around near Ski hut this morning.
The bear tried to snitch a pack from a hiker. The bear found a way into a canyon above. There was another incident that a bear attacked a tent at the summit recently. It is very rare to see bear activities at higher elevation.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q6ncHfBJZwYXJftx7

Have a safe hike.

Let's hope everyone is safe.

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2024/09/11/bridge-fire-now-at-47904-acres-with-no-containment/

I got a blast email from the Ski Resort earlier - they haven't had any damage from the fire so far!!! fingers crossed it stays that way!