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

Hi Comradebear,
I haven't hiked Mt. Baldy since last September so there was nothing to report except many photos from Ontario peak. Timber, Telegraph,.......
https://photos.app.goo.gl/EZpMV8WDZP3tAY5H6
Since I don't have $5000.00 for the fine, I have been looking at Mt. Baldy from the distance just like looking at the Mona Lisa in a museum.

According to local tv news, ktla, a 40 years old hiker wearing a light jacket, shorts, and tennis shoes with a dog got rescued from sketchy narrow trail covered with snow and ice around 9000 ft. This was the perfect example of kind of situation which authorities want to avoid or fed up with.
I hope the authorities won't penalize us for postponing the opening date of Mt. Baldy because of this rescue operation. I have met several hikers who had hiked Mt. Baldy illegally and bragging about their conduct openly. Either way, we have to pay the price at the end.

Mt. Baldy is still the best local mountain for hiking and all other outdoor activities.

Have a great hike.

P.S.
All trails to Ontario, Bighorn, Cucamonga, and Etiwanda are still covered with good amount of snow from Icehouse saddle because they are on north facing slopes and canyons.

The trail conditions of Mt. Baldy area viewed from Ontario peak. (Please zoom in the photos)
From east to west direction:
All south facing slope of Timber, Telegraph, Thunder (3Ts), Devil's backbone to the bottom of Mt. Harwood to the saddle looked dry.
Baldy bowl/Ski hut trail to the Ski hut looked dry. There should be good amount of snow in the tree section to the west ridge. There may be small snow sections or mostly dry from the west ridge to 9200ft.
Mt. Baldy and west Baldy are still covered with snow above 9300ft.
The main Baldy bawl is losing the snow fast. West bowl facing east should have good snow left to climb if the mountain is open.
All area below 7000ft affected by the Bridge fire on Bear canyon is still looked brown.
There was some snow left on Mt. Baden-Powell in the distance.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LYVfsWiWevfrckQB6
Have a great hike.
P.S.
Ontario peak trail was covered with frozen bumpy snow. It is a great idea to stay on or in the existing boots track with minimum gears of micro spikes and trekking poles. If you trip and fall or skid off from the trail, it is almost impossible to stop yourself on frozen/icy steep slope (even with crampons or ice axe) with trees and rocks especially between the Icehouse saddle to Kelly's camp.
Somehow the boots track went over three false summits before the Ontario peak. It was a discouraging and long snow hike. The summer trail sits much lower.
Some hiker tried to take a shortcut and got lost. But they were all right. Maintaining a visual contact and awareness of surroundings are very important in snow hiking.
Some hikers headed out to Cucamonga peak direction without micro spikes or trekking poles. The conditions of trail would be challenging as Ontario peak.