Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Shins #300 Shindig WPSMB Family Reunion Baldy Hike

watch the loop

NOAA West USA Pacific water vapor loop

Hmmmm.... so, Doug, do you still have some micro-spikes in the WPS inventory? If you bring a couple pairs I'll buy them from you (I'll get a pair for Ken as well). Even if we don't need them this time, I've been meaning to buy a pair.

Otherwise, I'm going up to Olympia tomorrow, I could pick up some at REI.

Thanks!
Rosie

Rosie,
I'm surprised you don't have them already.
They are the best "just-in-case" piece of gear I own for winter hiking.
I recommend them highly!

Do you still want to meet for the drive up to Manker?

LOL! It's 'cause I'm such a wussy "fair-weather" hiker! … but that’s gonna change this year!!!

Stacy, that would be great to meet at Manker… we’ll just follow you up. It's just going to be Ken and me; my other family members have other commitments. I’ve got you phone number so I’ll give you a call when I get down to SoCal, I’ll get to San Diego on Thursday morning.

What a weekend this will be!!

Ok, cool! We'll be heading down to the OC on Friday. We can meet at that place just north of the 210 fwy...I sent you a map on Facebook.

Hey Doug, you still planning to come down Friday, and can I catch a ride?

If not, I'll rent a car (in which case, Rosie and Stacy, can I join the caravan so I have a shot of finding the TH?).

Let's see, microspikes, crampons, snowshoes, parachute, zip line, pogo stick...it pays to be prepared.

Absolutely, Karin! I think Tracie is going to meet us also! I would suggest carpooling at that point, but I don't know how long Ken and I will be able to stay for the lunch afterwards. We may have to leave early to get back to Escondido for the Family Christmas party!

LOL! I'll have to add "pogo stick" to my gear checklist!

We went up via Bear Flat yesterday. The trail is BONE DRY. The wind breaks were still up, but I think the culprit is destroying them during the week. Or maybe he or she only goes up there when the weather is nice.

That being said, it will probably be cold and windy on the summit like it was yesterday (60 mph winds) because a storm will be moving in with rain predicted on Sunday. Might be some ice on the upper portion of the trail.

Anyone who wants to follow me from Padua Road to the parking at Manker Flat let me know. It's just off the freeway exit. Exit on Mountain Avenue, turn left. Padua is the first right. There is a park on Padua people can use for carpooling - there is a nice restroom there, too. I also have room for one person for a carpool.

I noticed that the snow level is supposed to reach as low as 4k. Since we'll be driving up to 6k at the TH, what do you think the road condition might be? I am a also a fair weather hiker and tend to avoid the mountains during the snow season.

I'm with hikergirl76 (and I'm really 76 years old - I bet she isn't). If you need chains to reach the trailhead or anything more than spikes and poles for the trail, I'm bailing and I will toast Shin from downtown Los Angeles. I'll keep watching NOAA and this board for updates.

Actually Padua is off of the Baseline exit in Claremont. If you go a little further west you could probably use the Vons parking lot during the day.
Coming from the west (57 Fwy) get off at Baseline, coming from the east (15 fwy) get off at Mountain. Both roads come together below the tunnels.
Oh, and you don't need a parking pass if you use the ski lift parking lot. It's a short walk back down to the trailhead from there.

Last note, I was there on Saturday and the windbreaks on the summit were about knee-high.

I second that, Burt. Being from the South, I can drive through the heaviest rain (although I wouldn't want to do that in the mountains), but when it comes to snow and/or ice, not a chance. I'll keep watching the weather and message board updates as well. If necessary, I'll call the ranger station on Friday morning to check out the road conditions and see if chains will even be required. If so, I'm also bailing and will have to toast Shin from the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mtns.

Oops I meant Baseline. I'm coming from the west.

And I wouldn't be too worried about snow on the trail. If anything, you will only need microspikes if any of the predicted white stuff sticks.

For road conditions you can go to the CalTrans Quick Map: http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ zoom in on Mt. Baldy Road, and click on "chain controls."

Hi Still plan on the hike Saturday , Car pool, I will swing by and pick Akichow up by the Airport area and head up Mountain. Plan to start the hike at 6 AM and go slow , summit around 10:00 AM and down to the trail head around 12 :30 760 920 2178

Rosie I will bring several pairs of spikes.


Plan is talking two young people into doing the hike also Thanks Doug

Great news, Doug! Unless you say differently, I'll keep my current flight reservation, arrives 7:10 p.m. I'll send you a PM with my cell phone just in case.

Any chance you might bring a small butane canister with you for my Snowpeak stove (it can take any small canister, such as Snowpeak,MSR or Primus)? Would reimburse you AND make hot beverages to share! I can fly with the stove, but not with the canister (can't even take Esbit fuel). Would be nice to be able to make hot drinks.

So looking forward to this trip. T-4 and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Fuel... one can loaded. Thanks Doug

Excellent and thanks. I'll bring extra tea, cocoa, soup. (I don't have coffee though.)

Doug and Karin,
I will be at the Mt Baldy Lodge so when you drive by at 6 am I will be standing there next to my car with a SHINDIG sign - will follow you up the road to the trailhead.
Harvey

Thanks Doug! My boots are women's size 9 and Ken wears a men's size 11. Hopefully we won't need them, but I'd like to buy them anyway, just to have.

Karin, I'll bring a supply of Starbucks VIA coffee for any who'd like.

I am SO looking forward to celebrating with Shin and seeing all of you!!

Rosie