Trails on Mt. Baldy

[TCB]

Are the trails worth riding on Mt. Baldy, I was just asked to do a group ride next weekend, is it worth the drive from San Diego and should I bring my DH or all Mountain Bike.
Here is the description of the ride that was emailed to me

“Meeting point will be at Mt. Baldi village (4000').
Take the chairlift to Baldy Notch. Let the fun begin....ride or mostly hike a bike (pushing) up Devils Backbone, Mt. Harwood all the way to the peak of Mt. San Antonio/Baldy. This is a 2000' hike, up at high elevation. The downhill trails are remote and sparsely used”

[BFloFoxRider.]

never been, but devils backbone is a PITA to walk on, from what ive heard

[xhuskr]

Isn't part of Baldy on fire right now?

[jasonmason]

I've been meaning to head up and see if the Ski Hut trail would be rideable. I've hiked it a number of times, and though there are a few definite walking sections, i think a good portion of it would be rideable. And probably really fun.

Post up what you find out!

Originally Posted by xhuskr

Isn't part of Baldy on fire right now?

It is?

[ericfoltz]

Well, I'd be a little worried that the people I was following didn't know that the "Devil's Backbone" Trail doesn't start at the top of the lift. It's the trail that starts back down below the chair lifts and follows the south ridge (Devil's Backbone) to the peak.

As far as bikes go, I'd take the lightest one I had because they aren't lying about most of this being a hike.

[stinkyrider]

I've looked into this.
Devil's backbone would be the hike-a-bike from hell.
Sierra hut trail is legal to ride according to my topo map but it is crazy rediculously steep and you will likely get linched and crucified by the locals who hike that trail. It gets an insane amount of hiker traffic during the summers.

The only other way down from the peak is the bear flat or "old baldy trail" which is not legal for bike riding since it straddles the wilderness boundary, so don't even bother.

I you are looking to DH, it will be much more worth your while to shuttle from JPL to Mt. Wilson and bomb down the Merrils.

[Jslow]

Baldys on fire? is that why there are all the helichopters over here?

My plan was to ride the road up to the notch and eat some food today... I'll figure out if its burning.

Just looked out the front window for the first time today... yea somethign up there is burning... probally not up top looks like its probally below the village? just a guess.

[xhuskr]

Baldy fire info;
http://www.knbc.com/news/16251246/detail.html

[bighit8]

Josh,You are still alive

[Jslow]

Barely Danny, I was suffering from broken down body for a while there... evidently the fire is up at 7k'... I was a little off in my guess... hope they get it under control... It would be nice to keep some forest green.

[TCB]

Originally Posted by stinkyrider

I've looked into this.
Devil's backbone would be the hike-a-bike from hell.
Sierra hut trail is legal to ride according to my topo map but it is crazy rediculously steep and you will likely get linched and crucified by the locals who hike that trail. It gets an insane amount of hiker traffic during the summers.

The only other way down from the peak is the bear flat or "old baldy trail" which is not legal for bike riding since it straddles the wilderness boundary, so don't even bother.

I you are looking to DH, it will be much more worth your while to shuttle from JPL to Mt. Wilson and bomb down the Merrils.

Thanks for the info; I will pass this along to the group that is organizing the ride. I think I will hit up Hurkey Creek instead.

[Sharky]

Maybe let them know Baldy will be closed all weekend. They won't even let us on bikes up past Shinn/Baldy Rd. but understandable.