Despite a weather forecast that said partly cloudy, we had some mist at home that was more like rain as I drove up Baldy Road. It was dry when I got to the Village, and even sunny as I arrived near Manker Flat at 0730 Sunday morning. A cool breeze made the shady road walk a bit uncomfortable, so I stopped at the falls overlook to put on my gloves. Feeling much better, I headed up the cutoff to the now-marked but poorly-spelled Baldybowl Tr. The trail up Register Ridge is also very clear now, but I chose to pass that up and headed toward the ski hut. The early morning here was great, comfortable in the sun and cool in the shade, a sea of clouds just below me and nothing but mountain ahead. I saw a few other new signs along the way, mostly assuring folks that they are actually on a trail. After a short break to refill water and eat a mini Baby Ruth I tackled the steeper second half of the hike. Here I slowed down a lot, feeling the effect of the winter doldrums as the muscles complained bitterly about overuse. Another break at the little flat spot at the top of the bowl, and then up the soft stuff to the summit. I put on my windbreaker and relaxed near one of the windbreaks, munching on a Clif Bar - High Sierra Trail Mix for those keeping track. When I got up there only 10 others were in sight, when I left 30 minutes later I counted 27. I had planned to cross over Harwood on the way down, but the clouds started rolling in about that time so I figured the view would be non-existant. I skipped lunch at The Notch, since it was Mothers Day lots of families were hanging around and I didn't want to sit around and wait for food. I did take one of the shortcuts on the road, heading under the lift to skip a big switchback. I also took the cutoff road down to the parking lot, which is probably way too steep for my old knees nowadays.
Pretty uneventful but great day in the San Gabes....
Great clear moment early in the hike, love this view of the bowl.
