Day 3- San Antonio via Register Ridge

For the Baldy summit, I went with an experimental route up Register Ridge and then down the Backbone trail to the ski boundary in an attempt to get the best portion of the Backbone without the fireroad. It was a steep way to end the challenge with 5,000' of gain in just 10 miles.
DSC05683 The customary San Antonio Falls shot to start the day. There was still pretty good water flow. The start of the Baldy Bowl trail is easy to miss if you're not...
The customary San Antonio Falls shot to start the day. There was still pretty good water flow. The start of the Baldy Bowl trail is easy to miss if you're not…
DSC05685 Finally back on the trail and heading up Register Ridge.
Finally back on the trail and heading up Register Ridge.
DSC05687 A typical section of
A typical section of "trail" on Register Ridge. 2,700' of gain in 1.4 miles. The toughest 1.4 miles in SoCal. Thank goodness it isn't any longer.
DSC05688 A look at Baldy Bowl and the Ski Hut in the distance. My goal for the day was to be able to hike the fun part of the Backbone trail without having to suffer...
A look at Baldy Bowl and the Ski Hut in the distance. My goal for the day was to be able to hike the fun part of the Backbone trail without having to suffer…
DSC05696 Looking across at Baldy Notch and the ski lodge at the top of the lifts.
Looking across at Baldy Notch and the ski lodge at the top of the lifts.
DSC05701 Made it up to the Backbone Trail at 9,300'. There are some epic dropoffs here. My plan was to hike back to the ski boundary, though I wasn't sure exactly what...
Made it up to the Backbone Trail at 9,300'. There are some epic dropoffs here. My plan was to hike back to the ski boundary, though I wasn't sure exactly what…
DSC05703 The view down the other side of the Backbone.
The view down the other side of the Backbone.
DSC05708 A couple people coming up the Backbone Trail. It's about as distinct a ridge as you will find anywhere in SoCal.
A couple people coming up the Backbone Trail. It's about as distinct a ridge as you will find anywhere in SoCal.
DSC05714 Me walking where the people were in the previous photo.
Me walking where the people were in the previous photo.
DSC05718 Made it back to the ski boundary. It would end up adding 2 miles and 700' gain to the total trip, but well worth it for all the fun of the Backbone Trail with...
Made it back to the ski boundary. It would end up adding 2 miles and 700' gain to the total trip, but well worth it for all the fun of the Backbone Trail with…
DSC05717 The topmost ski lift where the singletrack begins.
The topmost ski lift where the singletrack begins.
DSC05720 Turning around and heading back up the Backbone now. You can see the trail on the right, and then the dicey portion further back across the ledge on the left.
Turning around and heading back up the Backbone now. You can see the trail on the right, and then the dicey portion further back across the ledge on the left.
DSC05721 Up the spine.
Up the spine.
DSC05722 Two people crossing the ledge. A fall there is death any time of the year, and there are deaths almost every year. There were two last winter. Inexperienced...
Two people crossing the ledge. A fall there is death any time of the year, and there are deaths almost every year. There were two last winter. Inexperienced…
DSC05712 Me on the ledge looking down. It didn't bother me as much as the first time I was here, but it's still tough to look down here. I noticed that most people...
Me on the ledge looking down. It didn't bother me as much as the first time I was here, but it's still tough to look down here. I noticed that most people…
DSC05734 Now past where I had come up Register Ridge and ready to finish the summit. You can see the trail winding it's way to the top. It's a bit like Half Dome where...
Now past where I had come up Register Ridge and ready to finish the summit. You can see the trail winding it's way to the top. It's a bit like Half Dome where…
DSC05739 About half way up looking back down at the trail and Mt. Harwood.
About half way up looking back down at the trail and Mt. Harwood.
DSC05741 A new sign that will hopefully help make sure people head down the right trail and don't end-up at the ranger station instead of Manker Flats!
A new sign that will hopefully help make sure people head down the right trail and don't end-up at the ranger station instead of Manker Flats!
DSC05745 Made it to the top! Ironically, I had the most time alone on this summit, which is normally by far the busiest of the three.
Made it to the top! Ironically, I had the most time alone on this summit, which is normally by far the busiest of the three.
DSC05746 Mt. Baden-Powell to the North.
Mt. Baden-Powell to the North.