6/26/20 Another trip up one of my all-time favorite trails. It's been a couple years since I've done the backside of Baldy. The brutal up-and-downs of it's 17 miles and 7,000' of gain never get old!
1 Made it up to the top of the Acorn Trail. They've done a lot of work on this section of trail, including a brand new path up from town. I hope it doesn't get over developed!!
2 The imposing ridgeline leading to the top of Pine Mtn.
3 Fortunately the "trail" up Pine Mtn is rugged enough that it will hopefully never get over developed.
4 You do NOT want to slip here!
5 Always love these trees.
6 The view of Baden-Powell from the top of Pine Mtn.
7 Looking past Iron Mtn out towards the ocean from the top of Pine Mtn.
8 Almost to Dawson Peak now. The first look at the 800' drop to the saddle is always demoralizing. The negative gain on this trail is just brutal.
9 About to drop down from Dawson.
10 Made it down to the saddle below Dawson. Definitely one of my favorite spots in SoCal. Now for the last big 1,200' climb to the summit.
11 That's a fair amount of snow for late June. And not a single footprint. It looks like no one's been up here yet this summer, or at least not since the snow was much deeper.
12 After not seeing a single human the entire way to the top, this is the sight once I hit the summit. There had to be at least 30 people up here, loud and crazy.
13 Really smoggy today, can barely see San Jacinto and Gorgonio.
14 I touched the sign, snapped a few pictures, and then headed back down.
15 Heading back down the snow field following the only pair of prints (mine).
16 Another spot where you don't want to slip.
17 I nice souvenier for the day.
18 Back down to the saddle below Dawson. I took my break here rather than on the summit. Total quiet and solitude here. I'll take this any day over the crowds on top.
19 I nice wide angle view of the ridge running from Dawson to the summit.
20 Heading back down the PCT. I sure am glad I know to use this section of trail now instead of the fireroad!
21 Back to the bowl, always a cool sight. End to another great day on the backside of Baldy!