EISPIRATEN

On 5-31-2008, after Baldy, I tagged Mt Harwood, then went sightseeing along the ridge to the east of Mt Harwood. That left me looking for the secret stairway down to Devil's Backbone Trail. Is there one?

Eh?

Heading east from Mt Harwood summit, is there a trace trail that intersects with DBB Trail? I didn't see one -- maybe I didn't look in the right place. As I stepped carefully down off the ridge to DBB Trail, I was concerned that I might cause a small rock slide that would take out an innocent hiker on DBB Trail. If there isn't a trace trail heading east off the ridge, then it might be safer for all concerned to retreat west a couple of hundred yards in order to join DBB Trail where the slope is gentler and the earth more stable?

You mean if you were to follow the exact ridgeline down from near the Northeast Face? I think that if there is a trail, it's probably from Rams living up there (they spend lotsa time on Harwood, from what I see).