Not sure where I saw someone say Baldy is challenging, but it is a great training hike, especially for people who have never done Whitney and want to see where they are at. But, as someone said once, "I know Mt Whitney..... and Baldy is NO Mt Whitney".
Baldy is a great hike to prepare as long as you are going up from the hut or Bear Canyon. Devil's backbone is just a bit too easy, though there is one spot where it can test a beginners nerves. I do recommend going down the backbone to save your knees a bit.
San Jacinto isn't real challenging either, just fun......and in my opinion, the prettiest hikes in So Cal. Marion Mtn trail will certainly test your ability to go up to elevation and a nice training hike for Whitney. You can summit San Jacinto with a shorter 11 mile on Marion Mtn, or a longer 17 miler from the Slide (as well as several other trails.)
BUT....if you are even considering Whitney, you should consider hiking these two as well as San Gorgornio (as well as the two suggested by wbtravis, Baden Powell and Cucamonga) several times before Whitney.
But, I'm also with Lynn on this.... I'm waiting for the snow to melt. You won't find prettier hikes than San Jacinto when the snow is melting.....waterfalls and water everywhere.
KR is right though. Any hike can be dangerous....though those look to be mostly Winter hikes.
Maybe it's time for us to start a new thread about how YOU train for Whitney, what hikes, where, gym? etc. I still remember + @ti2d telling us how he walks on curbs for balance. Yes, I have tried it too, as well as walking on the top of brick walls.
Last edited by quillansculpture; 03/18/11 08:47 AM.
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