Details:

18 miles

8000 ft gain

5 - 6 miles, 7000' gain WITHOUT A TRAIL. GOING THROUGH BRUSH. ON STEEP SLOPES

Difficulty: 10/10

In the late 1800's, there use to be a trail coming up from Weber Camp in Coldwater Canyon up to Bighorn Ridge, which people then took to hike Mt Baldy. However with the decrease in camping activities over time, as well as private property holdings restricting access, this route has disappeared.

While some have discussed trying to ascend Baldy via Bighorn Ridge, I have not read of anyone doing it, but we shall try.

We have already done a recon hike over a month ago, and we found that the hike is going to be tough. But not tough in the ordinary sense of lots of elevation gain, but in the sense that there is so much brush that will slow you down. We will have to CRAWL like animals under the brush and barrel right through the brush.

This is pretty hardcore. You WILL get cut, and BLEED. You have to not be afraid of brush or feeling some pain, or this hike isn't for you.

If you are tentative on steep unstable ground, this hike isn't for you.

I am keeping a strict timetable, and those who are too slow in the first part must TURN AROUND. This will be less about conditioning and more about dealing with brush.

We will hike in 6 miles on easy fireroad. Then the tough part, trying to get to the ridgetop. You must make it to the ridge under 2 hrs, or you must turn around. And you must know how to get back down.

Right now the only ones I know will make it in this time are the ones who got up last time: Lee, Ofir, the Mikes, & Hugo. Everyone else must make sure they know what they are doing and are willing to turn around and know where to go.

trip report of recon hike here (see the brush) here

GPS file here

weather forecast here

location: here

we will descend down to Baldy village, a mere mile or so from our cars, so an easy car shuttle to set up.