Baldy is now snow free

GoalHiking · Post by **GoalHiking** » Sat Mar 28, 2026 7:31 pm

Earlier today I took Register Ridge up to Baldy and then came down the Backbone and the access road. There were snow patches, but I never touched snow even once. I went up with 4.8L of liquid as training. The route to West Baldy was covered in snow for the most part and a ranger down at the road told me someone had done it using microspikes. I wasn't keen on dealing with snow so I didn't bother. There were a couple of guys carrying skis and ski boots and apparently there's a skiable slope north of Baldy, but I didn't ask for the name.

Also, I'm looking for reliable partner(s) to do Rabbit Peak when it cools down. I'd take it slow and do a lot of the uphill by headlamp. They don't have to go all the way to Rabbit, just wait for me at Villager if they want.

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Sat Mar 28, 2026 9:17 pm

Careful bro. Melted snow is as dangerous as non melted snow. Close baldy

RH · Post by RH » Mon Mar 30, 2026 1:45 pm

Matthew wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2026 9:17 pm Careful bro. Melted snow is as dangerous as non melted snow. Close baldy

Any idea if the 40% chance of rain Tuesday night is going to bring new snow to the mountains?

GoalHiking · Post by **GoalHiking** » Thu Apr 09, 2026 11:51 am

Since I'm usually solo (sometimes not by choice), anything involving an ice axe or close to it is out. I hope to do the Mexican volcanoes one of these days but for that I'd have a guide (who could at least wave goodbye if I can't self arrest).

Anyway I'm probably going to try for Rabbit on Sun 4/12 since the weather looks OK. I'd probably start around 5am. I'll have a SpotX but I'd prefer not to do it alone if anyone's interested. I'm OK with paying for their gas.

Post by **HikeUp** » Thu Apr 09, 2026 1:27 pm

GoalHiking wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 11:51 am...I'd have a guide (who could at least wave goodbye if I can't self arrest).

Have a great hike! Looking forward to your TR.

RH · Post by RH » Fri Apr 10, 2026 1:53 am

GoalHiking wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 11:51 am Since I'm usually solo (sometimes not by choice), anything involving an ice axe or close to it is out. I hope to do the Mexican volcanoes one of these days but for that I'd have a guide (who could at least wave goodbye if I can't self arrest).

Anyway I'm probably going to try for Rabbit on Sun 4/12 since the weather looks OK. I'd probably start around 5am. I'll have a SpotX but I'd prefer not to do it alone if anyone's interested. I'm OK with paying for their gas.

That's about 3+ hour drive for me and more mileage/gain than I'm used to. Stay safe. Takes pics. Have a good trip.

Post by **tekewin** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 8:18 am

GoalHiking wrote: Thu Apr 09, 2026 11:51 am Since I'm usually solo (sometimes not by choice), anything involving an ice axe or close to it is out. I hope to do the Mexican volcanoes one of these days but for that I'd have a guide (who could at least wave goodbye if I can't self arrest).

Anyway I'm probably going to try for Rabbit on Sun 4/12 since the weather looks OK. I'd probably start around 5am. I'll have a SpotX but I'd prefer not to do it alone if anyone's interested. I'm OK with paying for their gas.

Good luck on Rabbit. It's a beast. Henry and I did the east ridge, which was an interesting scramble, then he wanted to come down an different ridge to pick up three obscure benchmarks. That was a 20 hour hike for us and top five hardest I've done. The views into Clark Dry Lake are amazing.

GoalHiking · Post by **GoalHiking** » Sat Apr 11, 2026 1:30 pm

Last Sat I did Sierra Madre to Wilson, down to First Water, back up to Orchard Camp, back down to the private road, back up to the start of Charlie's trail where I kinda ran out of gas and daylight, and then back to my car. That was 20.9 miles and I'm hoping that it was a good test even if it's a couple thousand less of gain. However, I was wearing a 2lb pack for that whole thing. With Rabbit I intend to switch to a waist pack after Villager. I may chicken out but we'll see.