Mount San Antonio
Day 1 -
August 11th 2007
This was mostly a training hike to get our group used to hiking at elevation. Since we were all in the upcoming Machu Picchu trip in September together, this was also a reason to get together and have some fun!
Pictured from right to left:
Lucia, Chris, Monica, Alex, Hester, Paul, Anthony and finally Henry!
Note this is not the ski lift we took, this is an abandoned ski lift that we found after the first hour of hiking up the first of many steep hills ;)
the ridge-lining trail
There are a few different ways a hiker can summit Mount San Antonio, also known as “Mount Baldy”, basically, if you really want a hard core work out, you’re certainly not limited to only one way to kill yourself here!
The route our group took was one of the less exerting ways which we were all thankful for because by the time we started our hike, it was pretty late in the afternoon and although the sun was still beating down like it was 1pm, we were all pretty motivated to set up camp before the sun sets. After parking at Baldy Village, we took the ski lift up part of the way, cutting out about 3.6 miles from our hike.
The geography changes drastically as we head up, trading views of Jeffrey Pines for more rocks and endless scree.
The hike was of course VERY STEEP. From the ski lift area it took us a good three hours if not more to get to the summit, gaining approximately 3,900 feet in elevation. I cursed and swore my way up the trail, trying to envision what the heck I got myself into thinking I would be ready for 13,000 ft mountain passes in Peru! Elevation really effected my hiking. The last 1/2 hour before summiting Mt Baldy, I was in a pretty solid routine of taking two steps, stopping, breathing, then taking two more. Although I certainly wasn’t the last one up the mountain, it was indeed a challenge!
view from the summit - early evening
the Mt. Baldy plaque that assured us we reached our goal! :)
Shortly after summiting the mountain, we retreated downhill to flatter and less windy spots to set up camp. Never before have I camped somewhere so exposed to the elements, it was really amazing. Because it was so rocky and windy, Chris & I parked our tent right next to Hester & Alex’s so we could not only share a tiny slice of flat ground to sleep on, but it also helped to be partially blocked from the wind. Henry, Lucia & Monica’s tent was off to the left. Anthony & Paul found a much less windy spot among some bushes & we were all pretty envious!
That evening we watched the annual Perseid Meteor shower high above the smog of LA, and played games while trying our best to keep warm!
Day 2 - August 12th 2007
The next morning was amazing. Waking up to see LA covered in clouds, I felt so proud to be there at that moment in time. That incredible view is what made it all worth it! As the clouds pushed and pulled their way across the sky, I thought I could spot tiny clearings that looked like Palos Verdes and the ocean.
Can you see the trail leading to the summit? ;)
After enjoying our morning coffee, which is the one luxury we’ve learned to NEVER do without (oh do I get CRANKY without my coffee), we explored the area a bit around the summit and other peaks that were within ease of hiking to. Below our friends Hester & Alex having fun on top of another peek, and feeling very much on top of the world!!
Mid-morning we packed up camp and headed down the mountain. It was so steep, everyone’s knees were aching so we took it slow and enjoyed the views on the hike out. Because the sun was so direct, and of course it was the middle of August, temperatures reach the upper 90’s very quickly.
I would definitely recommend this hike to anyone who wants a great physical workout, to see uncanny views of the LA basin and to get a grasp of how your body is effected by elevation. Everyone is effected differently. I remember getting a headache at one point and I think others did also.
Aside from that, the best part about this trip was honestly, getting my butt whooped into shape! After this grueling hike, I upped my routine at the gym for a solid month to prepare for Machu Picchu. I literally brought in my giant backpack, filled it with 12- 20lbs worth of weights (depending on the day) and would go right on the treadmill, increase the slope of the treadmill to it’s highest setting and go as fast as I could! That was grueling also, and of course I got many stares looking like little miss adventure safari chick at the gym (bandana, hiking boots & all) but it was the kicker that got the process going for being in the best shape possible for Machu Picchu.
Thanks for reading!!
- wikipedia link for Mt San Antonio
- website describing various route
photo of Chris on the trail
This was mostly a training hike to get our group used to hiking at elevation. Since we were all in the upcoming Machu Picchu trip in September together, this was also a reason to get together and have some fun!
Pictured from right to left:
Lucia, Chris, Monica, Alex, Hester, Paul, Anthony and finally Henry!
Note this is not the ski lift we took, this is an abandoned ski lift that we found after the first hour of hiking up the first of many steep hills ;)
the ridge-lining trail
There are a few different ways a hiker can summit Mount San Antonio, also known as “Mount Baldy”, basically, if you really want a hard core work out, you’re certainly not limited to only one way to kill yourself here!
The route our group took was one of the less exerting ways which we were all thankful for because by the time we started our hike, it was pretty late in the afternoon and although the sun was still beating down like it was 1pm, we were all pretty motivated to set up camp before the sun sets. After parking at Baldy Village, we took the ski lift up part of the way, cutting out about 3.6 miles from our hike.
The geography changes drastically as we head up, trading views of Jeffrey Pines for more rocks and endless scree.
The hike was of course VERY STEEP. From the ski lift area it took us a good three hours if not more to get to the summit, gaining approximately 3,900 feet in elevation. I cursed and swore my way up the trail, trying to envision what the heck I got myself into thinking I would be ready for 13,000 ft mountain passes in Peru! Elevation really effected my hiking. The last 1/2 hour before summiting Mt Baldy, I was in a pretty solid routine of taking two steps, stopping, breathing, then taking two more. Although I certainly wasn’t the last one up the mountain, it was indeed a challenge!
view from the summit - early evening
the Mt. Baldy plaque that assured us we reached our goal! :)
Shortly after summiting the mountain, we retreated downhill to flatter and less windy spots to set up camp. Never before have I camped somewhere so exposed to the elements, it was really amazing. Because it was so rocky and windy, Chris & I parked our tent right next to Hester & Alex’s so we could not only share a tiny slice of flat ground to sleep on, but it also helped to be partially blocked from the wind. Henry, Lucia & Monica’s tent was off to the left. Anthony & Paul found a much less windy spot among some bushes & we were all pretty envious!
That evening we watched the annual Perseid Meteor shower high above the smog of LA, and played games while trying our best to keep warm!
Day 2 - August 12th 2007
The next morning was amazing. Waking up to see LA covered in clouds, I felt so proud to be there at that moment in time. That incredible view is what made it all worth it! As the clouds pushed and pulled their way across the sky, I thought I could spot tiny clearings that looked like Palos Verdes and the ocean.
Can you see the trail leading to the summit? ;)
After enjoying our morning coffee, which is the one luxury we’ve learned to NEVER do without (oh do I get CRANKY without my coffee), we explored the area a bit around the summit and other peaks that were within ease of hiking to. Below our friends Hester & Alex having fun on top of another peek, and feeling very much on top of the world!!
Mid-morning we packed up camp and headed down the mountain. It was so steep, everyone’s knees were aching so we took it slow and enjoyed the views on the hike out. Because the sun was so direct, and of course it was the middle of August, temperatures reach the upper 90’s very quickly.
I would definitely recommend this hike to anyone who wants a great physical workout, to see uncanny views of the LA basin and to get a grasp of how your body is effected by elevation. Everyone is effected differently. I remember getting a headache at one point and I think others did also.
Aside from that, the best part about this trip was honestly, getting my butt whooped into shape! After this grueling hike, I upped my routine at the gym for a solid month to prepare for Machu Picchu. I literally brought in my giant backpack, filled it with 12- 20lbs worth of weights (depending on the day) and would go right on the treadmill, increase the slope of the treadmill to it’s highest setting and go as fast as I could! That was grueling also, and of course I got many stares looking like little miss adventure safari chick at the gym (bandana, hiking boots & all) but it was the kicker that got the process going for being in the best shape possible for Machu Picchu.
Thanks for reading!!
- wikipedia link for Mt San Antonio
- website describing various route
photo of Chris on the trail