Baldy via BEar Flat 12-30-08
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:12 pm
Eric and I hiked up Mt. Baldy via the Bear Flat Trail today. The weather was clear and warm -- short sleeve weather for much of the day. It was slow going most of the way because there was lots of snow above about 6000', starting on the switchbacks above Bear Flat. We ran into a fellow named Keith, hiking alone, near the top of the switchbacks and ended up hiking with him.
The snow was fairly soft early on, which inevitably meant some post-holing. Beyond the narrows at 9000', it was generally harder. We put on crampons at that point and were glad to have them for the traverse of the ridge beyond the narrows.
At the summit, Rick Graham was waiting for us. He had driven by, stopping to say hello, as we got ready to set off from the Mt. Baldy Ranger Station. He went up the Bowl, so he was on top long before we were. However, he knew we'd be along (indeed, he spotted us near the narrows), so he hung out on top and we all descended to the Ski Hut via the west side of the Bowl. The snow was very soft on the descent route.
When we arrived at Manker Flat, Rick offered us a ride to the Village. Eric was ready to walk a few more miles on the road, but the volume of traffic convinced him to accept the ride.
Pictures
The snow was fairly soft early on, which inevitably meant some post-holing. Beyond the narrows at 9000', it was generally harder. We put on crampons at that point and were glad to have them for the traverse of the ridge beyond the narrows.
At the summit, Rick Graham was waiting for us. He had driven by, stopping to say hello, as we got ready to set off from the Mt. Baldy Ranger Station. He went up the Bowl, so he was on top long before we were. However, he knew we'd be along (indeed, he spotted us near the narrows), so he hung out on top and we all descended to the Ski Hut via the west side of the Bowl. The snow was very soft on the descent route.
When we arrived at Manker Flat, Rick offered us a ride to the Village. Eric was ready to walk a few more miles on the road, but the volume of traffic convinced him to accept the ride.
Pictures
