Interesting warm, windy, cold, sunny, dusty hike with my daughter who has found that she really does enjoy hiking more than 2 miles! Her first 10K summit was a thrill for me as well. Actually saw 3 other humans and NO the lifts weren't running. :P
I actually went up the ski hut/bowl trail, and came down the backbone. I just hate out and back type hikes. Anyway, this trail is amazing! I have to try this hike again in reverse. I can't wait for winter to get here now. I can only imagine how beautiful this ridgeline would look with snow!
Baldy Notch/Devil's Backbone to summit, descended Baldy Bowl. Great route, didn't ride the lift up. Very windy summit push at the end, lots of people turned back which was unfortunate - the summit was pretty calm and enjoyable.
Beautiful weekday ascent, no one else on the summit. Can someone set up a climber's log in a jar there? Came down a ski run on the way down to save time. Highly recommend this hike for its views, but be ready for some steep ascents.
The Devils Backbone is my FAVORITE on Baldy. I have done this one so many times I cant even remember, but I know that I have never had a bad time on this route. Just a Fun way to spend a day.
I left my wife at the ski lodge and hiked up the backbone. Met some guys practicing their snow skills for Denali. They were heading there in June. I hope they were successful.
I always end up walking down this route at night on my way back from West Baldy or Baldy. It's a nice relaxing walk down, just gotta be careful where it gets narrow.