Hey Rod! 6:40 A.M. Post!!! You could have joined us on the day after the group hike after-party on Saturday.
For some odd reason, My buddy DJ and I decided to take the same trail as the group hike took on Friday. We can't make the during the week hikes, so on Saturday, off we went to Manker Flats. I've been up Mt Baldy twice, but this trail is certainly one to remember. Nearly 4000 foot elevation gain in 4.6 miles!!
The bowl is gorgeous, but never did I think that you had to nearly go straight up it on the left. I heard that the group hike went straight down the bowl....Scree Skiing!!! Wow, now that takes some courage.
This pic shows the steep angle of the trail. Taken from the top of the bowl.
Scenery was beautiful, lots of clouds below us and pretty and gnarly trees.
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Finally the summit. The weather was really nice on the way up.....but at the top, the wind was blowing hard and very cold. My hands got numb very quickly. We thought about taking the Devils Backbone back, but felt it would be warmer if we just went back the same way we came.
Overall a good hike and great workout. Next hike will probably be San Gorgornio next Spring.
Rod, if I get up to Santa Clarita, we'll have to have lunch. My rep and one of my galleries is up there in Gateway Village.
"Turtles, Frogs & other Environmental Sculpture"
...I know, with makeshift tripods, you can't always aim where you need.