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San Antonio Falls - Sierra Club Ski Hut - Devil's Backbone

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.7 (40)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …San Gabriel Mountains
  5. Mt. Baldy
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“A fun but strenuous hike around some key features in the area. ”

John McKinney
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Map Key

10.8

Miles

17.3

KM

Loop

9,991' 3,045 m

High

6,178' 1,883 m

Low

3,810' 1,161 m

Up

3,813' 1,162 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (8°)

72%

Max Grade (36°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

Overview

This hike hits all the highlights in the area including the falls, ski hut, summits, and the Devil's Backbone Trail. This hike is an undertaking for sure, not just because of its length, but the grade of the climbs are fairly intense.

Need to Know

This is a strenuous hike; make sure you're prepared for it.

Description

From the parking area at Manker Flat, head north on Baldy Road #3N01, a service road with an easy grade. At 0.5 miles, the road turns to head back south; at this northern point, hikers will have a nice view of the falls, but the adventurous can reach the bottom of the falls by following a rough trail further north. Do not try to climb the falls.

Return to the road and continue on; at almost one mile, there is a junction with Baldy Bowl Trail #7W02 which heads north. Take a left to follow Baldy Bowl Trail #7W02 as it ascends steeply along the edge of the San Antonio Canyon. The trail is steep but at least it is shaded by white fir, oaks and Jeffery pine trees. The right turn for the Sierra Club ski hut is two miles from the junction with Baldy Road #3N01. There is a spring near the hut.

Return to Baldy Bowl Trail #7W02 and continue to climb up steep switchbacks to a shady ridge that overlooks the headwaters of the San Antonio Canyon. The trail continues to be quite rugged, but on a clear day the views from the summit of Mount San Antonio (aka Mt. Baldy), reached four miles into the hike, are fantastic. The Devil's Backbone, Mt. Harwood, the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountain ranges, and the Mojave Desert are all visible.

Hikers of course can return the way they came, but a somewhat easier (though longer) way down is to follow the Devil's Backbone Trail off the summit. The grade this direction is much gentler, especially as you get further from the peaks. At mile six, Turkey Shoot trail splits off to the right; continue on the Devil's Backbone Trail until you reach Mt. Baldy Notch and the junction with Baldy Road #3N01 at 7.1 miles. Head down the easy grade of the fire road enjoying the views as you descend back to the parking lot or take the ski lift from the notch.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.

Flora & Fauna

White fir, Jeffery pine, sugar pine, lodgepole pine and limber pines are in the area. Watch for bighorn sheep.

History & Background

Mount San Antonio was named in 1790 after Saint Anthony, a 13th-century friar from Italy. In the 1870s, it was nicknamed "Old Baldy" because of its impressively bare summit.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Angeles National Forest Office

Shared By:

John McKinney
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 40 votes

#1

in Mt. Baldy

#269

Overall
  4.7 from 40 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Mt. Baldy

#36

in California

#269

Overall
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6,614 Since Aug 9, 2017
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Photos

Following the leader!
May 20, 2019 near Wrightwood, CA
Windswept trees just below the summit...
May 20, 2019 near Wrightwood, CA
Summit of Mt. San Antonio facing south-east.
Aug 5, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Using my hands to hike...
May 20, 2019 near Wrightwood, CA
Blue skies on the way to the top of Badly.
May 20, 2019 near Wrightwood, CA
Downed Tree...
May 20, 2019 near Wrightwood, CA

1 Comment

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 27, 2024
Ted Kaufmann
11mi — 6h 30m
Sep 2, 2023
Andy K
Aug 13, 2023
Ethan B
11mi
May 27, 2023
Jason Sibray
No major wash outs or icy sections. There is still snow on the route and if your shoes do not have traction, ie road running shoes, you'll suffer. 10.5mi — 9h 30m
Jun 26, 2022
Ted Kaufmann
Awesome hike but I am going to feel this a couple of days ;-) 11.1mi — 6h 30m
Jun 11, 2022
Steven Otazu
12.1mi
Jun 10, 2022
Leo Yu
Mar 18, 2022
Stewart Carnes

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