RR: San Antonio Falls Road

[dstepper]

San Gabriel Mountains, Mt Baldy Area.

Route: Out and back Manker Flats to Devils Backbone Trail (8,614 ft. elevation). 4.68 miles one way. 2,474 elevation gain. It is all uphill...no breaks.

I know many do not like fireroads, I am not one of them when they have good scenery. Climb to Baldy Notch is moderate, the climb gets harder after the Notch. I will let the pics do the talking.

If I lived in that area I would blow off Marshall Canyon and climb up there to see the sunsets. It took me 22 minutes to come back down the mountain...I did not push it. I bet Dirt could get down in under 15 minutes.

Dean

[jfromlv]

Nice pics, as always. What were the temps at the Notch? Was it windy?

[gurp13]

I'd ride that. I don't have any problem with fireroads, personally. How do you get up there? I am a little familiar with the Baldy area. I used to hike at up Icehouse Canyon all the time.

[LBmtb]

I'm lovin that bell and lake. Thanks for the photos, Dean.

[tkblazer]

sweet pics deano, i see you brought the spot... that 20 tooth granny must have come in handy on those climbs

[Pain Freak]

Dean,
Is this on the north side? I'd ride that in a heartbeat..... Looks beautiful.

Dam, why did I go to work today?

[dstepper]

Temperature at the Notch maybe 75. Wind 5-10 miles a hour.

Yes, I like my 2O tooth granny. Better yet I like a quite drivetrain.

It is two three miles past Baldy Village, up the road past Ice House Canyon. Follow the signs to Baldy Ski lift. There is a Campground and store at Manker Flats. San Antonio Falls is well marked, park on Baldy Road go through gate. You will start to hear San Antonio Falls after riding for about ten minutes, it is only maybe a mile up the road.

From Baldy Notch you can see Stockton Flats down the North side, I have thought about dropping down there to get more miles. From Baldy notch, I have also gone to the East and bagged Thunder Mountain...I am not talking alot about that ride.

[jfromlv]

Sounds like a perfect day for riding, wind can be pretty bad up there!

[gurp13]

I didn't know you could ride up there. I thought those trails were all hiking only. Can you ride the icehouse cyn trail? It might be fun. Haven't been up it in a long time.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by gurp13

I didn't know you could ride up there. I thought those trails were all hiking only. Can you ride the icehouse cyn trail? It might be fun. Haven't been up it in a long time.

No Ice House is off limits to bikes. You can get to the top of Thunder Mountain (8,979ft.) on fireroads.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Nice pics Dean. Did you see anything resembling new trails being built up there yet?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by MTBRacer

Nice pics Dean. Did you see anything resembling new trails being built up there yet?

No, just some of the same stuff that was on the ski runs...trails under chair lift.

[Innes]

I haven't been up there for years. Now I want to go. It figures though. One of the few days I get off work and I have to take the care into the shop. Stupid car!

[gurp13]

I think some of us locals ought to organize something pretty soon, though. Me, you Innes, Pain Freak, etc. We can't have this OC guy knowing our mtns better than us!

[Sharky]

As always beautiful pics Dean. You ARE the master of all trails. This is now on my "to do" list in the next week or so.[SIZE=1] (most likely a weekday) [/SIZE]I've often hiked to the falls growing up but living at the base of the hill what a waste not to ride this.
Keep on rolling Dean.
A little curious at what point on this route you come across the lake?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by SHARKY

As always beautiful pics Dean. You ARE the master of all trails. This is now on my "to do" list in the next week or so.[SIZE=1] (most likely a weekday) [/SIZE]I've often hiked to the falls growing up but living at the base of the hill what a waste not to ride this.
Keep on rolling Dean.
A little curious at what point on this route you come across the lake?

Not really a Lake, more like a pond to make snow. The green color of the lake is not natural I have no idea why it is so green....it looks like it is full of Miracle Grow. As you climb San Antonio Falls Road you come to an intersection just below the Ski Lodge at Baldy Notch. Look to the right down the hill at the intersection, I missed it the first couple of times up there.

[53-12]

Nice pics. Love going up there for a break from the crowds, etc in Claremont and Marshall. Two Fridays ago there was no one but the wind and myself once I got past the waterfall. First post by the way, though I've been viewing for a long time.