Baldy Loop

6/22/18  My first time doing the Baldy Loop. 22 miles and 7,500' gain up Icehouse Canyon, across the Three Ts, up Baldy, then down Bear Canyon. I ran out of water, making it a particularly tough day!
DSC00002 I decided to do the loop counter-clockwise, so I parked at the village ranger station, then did the 1.7 mile walk up to the Ice House Canyon trailhead.
I decided to do the loop counter-clockwise, so I parked at the village ranger station, then did the 1.7 mile walk up to the Ice House Canyon trailhead.
DSC00007 Always nice single tracked here. Not quite as crowded as usual, probably because it was an unusually hot day.
Always nice single tracked here. Not quite as crowded as usual, probably because it was an unusually hot day.
DSC00012 The creek was low but still flowly nicely.
The creek was low but still flowly nicely.
DSC00013 Still one of my all-time favorite trail signs.
Still one of my all-time favorite trail signs. "Respect the solitude of others. Use low voices. Wear colors that blend with the landscape." Unfortunately, very…
DSC00014 First good view of Baldy. It looks a long ways away to be part of this same hike!
First good view of Baldy. It looks a long ways away to be part of this same hike!
DSC00015 Made it to the saddle. Now time for the Three Ts.
Made it to the saddle. Now time for the Three Ts.
DSC00019 Made it to the top of Timber.
Made it to the top of Timber.
DSC00018 Baldy is starting to look a little closer, but not by much.
Baldy is starting to look a little closer, but not by much.
DSC00020 The very rare occasion that the altitude on my watch matches the sign exactly. 8,303' on the dot!
The very rare occasion that the altitude on my watch matches the sign exactly. 8,303' on the dot!
DSC00023 A look at Telegraph. It's about a 500' drop before climbing around 1,100' to the top. That negative gain sucks.
A look at Telegraph. It's about a 500' drop before climbing around 1,100' to the top. That negative gain sucks.
DSC00030 The saddle between Timber and Telegraph. It's a hot and extremely dry day. There is absolutely zero breeze, so the air is just stifling. I start to realize that...
The saddle between Timber and Telegraph. It's a hot and extremely dry day. There is absolutely zero breeze, so the air is just stifling. I start to realize that…
DSC00032 Top of Telegraph.
Top of Telegraph.
DSC00034 Looking down at Thunder Mtn and then the Notch below. From the top of Telegraph here, it's about a 1,200' drop down to the notch and then 2,200' back up to the...
Looking down at Thunder Mtn and then the Notch below. From the top of Telegraph here, it's about a 1,200' drop down to the notch and then 2,200' back up to the…
C0001 360 view from the top of Telegraph.
360 view from the top of Telegraph.
DSC00040 The saddle between Telegraph and Thunder. There's another roughly 900' loss getting down here, all of which has to be climbed up again of course.
The saddle between Telegraph and Thunder. There's another roughly 900' loss getting down here, all of which has to be climbed up again of course.
DSC00039 Heading up Thunder.
Heading up Thunder.
DSC00043 Top of Thunder looking back at Telegraph.
Top of Thunder looking back at Telegraph.
DSC00044 Ski lift at the top of Thunder.
Ski lift at the top of Thunder.
DSC00045 It sure would be easier to take the lift straight down to the notch!
It sure would be easier to take the lift straight down to the notch!
DSC00049 Down at the notch. I was tempted to buy something to drink at the lodge, but I didn't have any money with me, so that spared me the temptation. I also thought...
Down at the notch. I was tempted to buy something to drink at the lodge, but I didn't have any money with me, so that spared me the temptation. I also thought…