What follows is my report. Times are accurate. Some distances are estimated (I left without my Garmin so I think +/- 10%...wherever trail signs were absent).
I drove to Mt Baldy village. Got to Icehouse Canyon parking lot around 2:45am. Temp was (I am guessing) in the low 50's.
A) I made it to Icehouse Saddle by 5:33am ;
hike duration: 2h 30 min ; mileage: 4 mi ;
B) Summited Timber Mt at 6am sharp ;
C) Summited Telegraph peak at 7am sharp ;
That leg of the trip was rough. I counted 11 switchbacks...but it could have been worse. The rising sun made it look like the mountain was bathed in gold. Pretty neat
Had bkfast (pb & j sandwich) on top on Telegraph peak.
D) Made it to Thunder mt at 7:46am.
E) Got to Baldy notch at 8:09m.
hike duration: 5h 9 min ; mileage 10 mi ;
F) Followed the fire road down to Manker Flats. Go to Manker at 9:47am.
hike duration: 7h (approx) ; mileage 12 mi ;
G) Made it back to Icehouse canyon parking lot at 10:53am.
hike duration: almost 8 hours ; mileage 14 mi ;
Not a bad way to spend my day...had to take a nap though.
Al.
PS: Do you guys have any idea about the length of the fire road from Manker Flats to Baldy notch. It took me almost 2 hours so I am thinking 2 miles..........
. Got to see nature at its best (owl fly by really close), with tons of stars above your head. Cool temps too.