North Backbone - Pine, Dawson, Baldy 8/7/2011

mcphersonm80 · Post by **mcphersonm80** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 12:06 am

The road up to this trail is in pretty terrible shape. It's possible, but I don't recommend anyone in a regular car drive up there.

Mount San Antonio by Wattifoto, on Flickr

We parked about a quarter of a mile past Guffy in a small turnout where the PCT crosses the road, which added about a mile of easy walking to get to the actual trailhead.

Once you hit the trail, it's down, then up, then down, then up, then down, then up, then way down, then waaaaaaay up.

Ridge Route by Wattifoto, on Flickr

Hands down some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the SGs. Great views across the whole range and also out to the San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges.

Overlooking Prarie Fork by Wattifoto, on Flickr

San Gorgonio and San Jacinto by Wattifoto, on Flickr

The trail was very scrambly in spots, particularly on Pine Mountain's north face. I'd say Class 2, for sure, but just take your time and be careful, it's doable.

Came across a large pile of old tin cans around Pine's summit... any idea what's up with these?

Tin Cans by Wattifoto, on Flickr

Also did a little bit of decorating on Dawson's register can:

Dawson Peak Summit Register by Wattifoto, on Flickr

8)

Awesome views of Iron, the drop-offs on either side, huge imposing view of Baldy that doesn't translate in photos from the Dawson/Baldy saddle, and then a nice cool AB on the summit, as usual.

Iron Mountain by Wattifoto, on Flickr

Fish Fork by Wattifoto, on Flickr

Snaking Up by Wattifoto, on Flickr

Relaxing on Baldy by Wattifoto, on Flickr

All in all, an incredibly awesome hike. If it weren't for the drive up Blue Ridge Rd, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. As it is now, might work my way up to Guffy, spend a night, then dayhike the next morning.

Lots more pics here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wattifoto/ ... 391259878/

Post by **HikeUp** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:07 am

Nice hike and great pictures. Thanks for the update on the road conditions too! 8)

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:49 am

Cool stuff!

Not sure what those cans are about although there was logging going on up there during the war. May have been a loggers camp.

HJ

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:53 am

Great work, love the photos and TR.

406 · Post by **406** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:22 am

Nice tr. One could hike up Acorn trail from Wrightwood and skip the drive on Blue Ridge road.

mcphersonm80 · Post by **mcphersonm80** » Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:38 am

406 wrote: ↑Nice tr. One could hike up Acorn trail from Wrightwood and skip the drive on Blue Ridge road.

Yeah, we were considering that route, but I didn't like the sound of 2000' extra gain/loss and 2.5 extra miles. After HikeUp described the road, we decided to give Blue Ridge a shot.

It was definitely worth it, but next time up I'll most likely go the Acorn route, unless I find someone with a monster truck they can lend me...

rokclimbr · Post by **rokclimbr** » Thu Aug 11, 2011 5:46 pm

I drove up to the trailhead a few weeks back in my Honda FIT stopped half a dozen times to clear some bigger rocks. I didn't think it was to bad (used to drive my car deep into Holcomb Valley Big Bear so compared to that this road might as well be paved).
How long did it take you to get to Baldy and back (car to car)?

Not that it's worth much but I'd have to say this is my favorite hike in the SG.

outwhere · Post by **outwhere** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:36 pm

Some seriously beautiful pictures... screen saver type material.

Ahhhh, and an Arrogant Bastard to 'top' it off

My neighbor gave me one of those the other week - I really really liked it - wonderful, bit different flavor and it had a nice kick to it too...

mcphersonm80 · Post by **mcphersonm80** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 2:25 pm

rokclimbr wrote: ↑How long did it take you to get to Baldy and back (car to car)?

Not that it's worth much but I'd have to say this is my favorite hike in the SG.

Car to car was about 9 hours, I think, which included generous breaks at each summit (45 min on Baldy alone). And I have to agree, this is now THE way to hike Baldy and probably the best summer hike in the entire range.

outwhere wrote:Some seriously beautiful pictures... screen saver type material.

Ahhhh, and an Arrogant Bastard to 'top' it off

My neighbor gave me one of those the other week - I really really liked it - wonderful, bit different flavor and it had a nice kick to it too...

Thanks, and if you like Arrogant Bastard at home, wait till you taste it at elevation! 8)

- - - - -

If anyone's interested, I created a Route page on summitpost for this hike:

http://www.summitpost.org/north-backbone-trail/737045

tpfishnfool · Post by **tpfishnfool** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:13 am

Great trip report and pics ! Been wanting to do that rout for a couple years, what was total distance miles from start to finish ?

mcphersonm80 · Post by **mcphersonm80** » Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:50 pm

tpfishnfool wrote: ↑Great trip report and pics ! Been wanting to do that rout for a couple years, what was total distance miles from start to finish ?

Total distance according to my GPS was 10.826 miles.

But keep in mind we parked just past Guffy, which added about 1 1/4 miles of an easy walk each way, so if you're able to make it to the actual trailhead parking area, the mileage is just about 8 miles round trip.