At 10,064 feet, Mount Baldy (aka Mount San Antonio) in the Angeles National Forest is the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.
As a longtime hiker — and someone who has taken two trekking trips in Nepal and one in Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park — I can confidently recommend Mount Baldy as one of the best training spots around Los Angeles for challenging treks abroad.
Unlike treks in Nepal, which are typically multiday affairs that start out gently, Mount Baldy is summited over the course of a single day with an elevation gain of 3,900 feet. Though the suggested loop trail is 11.3 miles, my group walked about 13 miles to and from Manker Flats, the campground nearest the trailhead. With stops for lunch, catching our breath and taking in the 360-degree views from the summit, our trek took about eight hours.
Throughout the way, we met fellow hikers and some intrepid dogs (who are allowed on the trail), and we enjoyed poking around the Top of the Notch restaurant and, later, the ski hut — two popular break spots located on the loop. Our group ascended via the Devil’s Backbone Trail and descended via the Ski Hut Trail, though the reverse is usually suggested (perhaps because of the loose gravel and rock that make up the entirety of the Ski Hut trail).
Even for experienced hikers, the trek is rewarding to complete and best celebrated with drinks, hearty fare and live music at Mount Baldy Lodge.
The Details
Angeles National Forest
www.fs.usda.gov
