EISPIRATEN

Hey All... I usually climb/hike in the White Mountains of NH, but I'll be heading to L.A. for a week of business meetings and would like to take the opportunity to climb Baldy with a local who's familiar with the routes.. I'm flying in a day early hoping that someone will be up for a Saturday, January 30th, early morning trip. I was out there last year and was tortured by the San Gabriel Mountains off in this distance everyday.. This year I'm bringing my winter gear and hoping to climb...

Roughly 9 hikers from this board did Baldy today.

1 went up the normal route/trail, 2 went up the face of the bowl on the south side, 1 just left of center and the other 5 went up the right of center to the far right of center.

The snow is starting to consolidate. Snow from storm three weeks ago is slightly froozen under the new snow that arrived last weekend and it's a little tricky in certian spots.

From the parking lot you can get up to the Ski Hut fairly easy, real snow starts around 7,000 feet, you could get away with Micro Spikes, not enough snow has fallen to require Snow shoes as of yet. From the Ski Hut to the summit it's recommended you carry Crampons and Ice axe and use as needed.

By the end of January we should see more winter storms, thus more snow and obviously you will need an update closer to your departure date.

There's a great chance that more than one person will be glad to join you on a trip up Baldy on a Saturday. If I'm around I will be glad to go.

Lilbitmo

I am sure you will find someone on here to tag along with, but if not, you wont be alone on a Saturday morning on Baldy. Probably the most used trail/ route in Southern California. Have fun!

Thanks for the report and trail info! I'll probably post again as the date draws near.. However, nice to know there is a high use route in the event nobody is available.. I figured the trail was high use, but I promised my wife I wouldn't go it alone like I do around here.. Great forum, wish I could find one like this for my area..

ds - I'm in as well as a couple of my buddies.
I'll PM you my emailwe can exchange details as the date draws near.

You won't be alone on Baldy if you go up on a Saturday.

Dsaveall,

Here's a list of the blog sites that I used this past year to come to your neck of the woods, I was able to get 9 out of the 13 Presie's in when I was in New Hampshire in early June - some of these sites will allow you to get access and the others you will have to "Request" special permission.

http://www.trailplace.com/forums/
http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2396 ... 1896vKyBYi
http://hikethewhites.com//
http://www.mountwashington.org/weather/summit.php
http://www.nhstateparks.org/state-parks ... tate-park/
http://peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6960
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_m ... on/hiking/
http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/presi ... tml#presi2
http://www.nhstateparks.com/moose.html
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... it=0&lg=en
http://www.wunderground.com/US/NH/Mount_Washington.html
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreati ... ox_localwx
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2396 ... 1896vKyBYi

This is just a list of what I used, if you get access to some of the blog sites they will direct you to more sites as they did me. We look forward to having you visit us in late January, there will be at least 3 or 4 of us willing to join you on the mountain, keep us posted as to when you are arriving and we will work it out.

Lilbitmo

Hey dsaveall, the White Mountains of NH are my old stomping grounds! I hauled all my gear out there over the holidays for a winter ascent of Mt. Washington, but was rebuffed by bad weather and illness. Anyway, PM me if you want some more company on your Mt. Baldy climb. I've done seven different routes on the mountain in all seasons.

Lets pray for a snow storm before the 30th rolls around. the bowl is looking pretty bad right now.

dsaveall wrote:Thanks for the report and trail info! I'll probably post again as the date draws near.. However, nice to know there is a high use route in the event nobody is available.. I figured the trail was high use, but I promised my wife I wouldn't go it alone like I do around here.. Great forum, wish I could find one like this for my area..

As a Vermonter now living in California - Views from the Top and Rocks on Top are the best for NH hikes, and if you do the ADK's there's a ADK forum as well.

VFTT has a New York section, most of the frequent posters focus on NH, VT and ME.

EnFuego wrote:Lets pray for a snow storm before the 30th rolls around. the bowl is looking pretty bad right now.

The Battling Weather Nerds over on the San Gorgonio board say there will be a big storm later this month.

http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/msg/1263154489.html

The battle, of course, is a storm in itself.

I've been busy with work (and climbing, of course) so I haven't checked in for awhile, but wanted to say thanks for all the great links and advice.. Really looking forward to getting up in the San Gabriel's...

I'm still scheduled to fly into L.A. on the morning of Friday the 29th and will probably head up to the area to find a place to crash (maybe I'll bring my bivy sac and throw it in a ditch) and scout out the trailheads, etc.. Not sure I'll be able to wait until Sat to hit some trails..

I really hope the bowl gets some snow before the 30th.. Better yet, some ice.. Anyway, two of my family/friends from NV are 'planning' to make the drive and would like to climb.. So, as long as you aren't opposed to having a party of 5/6 I'd enjoy the company..

DS - You're in luck. We're being hit with a decent weather front right now. We had two storms pass through, and expected to get up to 3 more, dropping a total of up to 6 feet of new snow at the higher elevations. At least that's what NOAA predicts.

You may be in for some good snow. Maybe not too much hard pack.