Away we go. We got an early start and actually set out from the car before 7:00am, probably my earliest start yet.
Up the Acorn trail in the morning sun with beautiful views.
I can never have enough pictures of cool looking trees.
Our hiking companion for the day. A big Sherman Shepherd named Charlie that was wandering around on the trail. It started following us early in the morning,…
More snow plants in August. Definitely a cold summer.
A look at one of my favorite spots along the trail. Definitely looks different without the snow though. I have no idea what this area is really called, but…
Dustin posing in front of the Baldy Bowl.
Our first look at the Backbone trail, which runs right along the ridge up to Pine Mtn.
A slightly zoomed in view from the fire road at the point where we pick up the Backbone trail and enter the Sheep Mountain Wilderness area. The ridge leading up…
A look up the first part of the climb to Pine Mtn. One of the steepest stretches of trail in Southern CA.
A nice view down the valley to the distant mountains.
The trail just below the top of Pine Mtn.
The view from the top of Pine Mtn.
A similar view as the previous picture except this time from the top of Dawson's Peak, further South, and almost 1000' higher.
The trail drops down 800' from the top of Dawson Peak, down along the ridge, and then up 1200' to the top of Baldy.
Our only snow sighting for the day. I was surprised though that there was any snow at all left in August.
A short break at the saddle before making the final 1200' climb to the summit.
The official picture at the summit marker.
Absolutely perfect weather on the summit. Warm and no wind. Definitely different than last time I was up here (-4deg). Also a lot more people, probably around…
A look out towards the West Baldy peak.