Bear Canyon

4/29/12  A trip on the Mt. Baldy trail up the front side of Mt. Baldy. Though it's maybe not quite as difficult as the backside route, it's unquestionably the second hardest way to summit Baldy. 6000' of gain in 13 miles averaging almost exactly 1000' per mile the whole way to the top.
IMG_0843 Heading out from the trailhead up a nice little canyon where there are some amazingly rugged houses. It's a bit hard to tell from the picture, but you basically...
Heading out from the trailhead up a nice little canyon where there are some amazingly rugged houses. It's a bit hard to tell from the picture, but you basically…
IMG_0844 The creek flowing through West Fork Bear Canyon.
The creek flowing through West Fork Bear Canyon.
IMG_0773 Starting to climb out of the canyon with a view of the valley below.
Starting to climb out of the canyon with a view of the valley below.
IMG_0774 Some fantastic single track.
Some fantastic single track.
IMG_0777 Great sub-alpine views with quite a bit of snow still left on the opposite ridge.
Great sub-alpine views with quite a bit of snow still left on the opposite ridge.
IMG_0780 Our first snow sighting.
Our first snow sighting.
18a-on the ridge A look down at the East Fork San Gabriel Canyon. The deepest canyon in Southern CA, roughly 6000' deep. Deeper than the Grand Canyon, though not quite as grand.
A look down at the East Fork San Gabriel Canyon. The deepest canyon in Southern CA, roughly 6000' deep. Deeper than the Grand Canyon, though not quite as grand.
IMG_0788 Dad still going strong.
Dad still going strong.
IMG_0789 The trail winds along the ridge similar to many of the other trails in the Baldy area.
The trail winds along the ridge similar to many of the other trails in the Baldy area.
9-long traverse Dad's picture of me making a long traverse below the ridge.
Dad's picture of me making a long traverse below the ridge.
IMG_0790 A good look at a couple distant hikers coming up the trail along the ridge.
A good look at a couple distant hikers coming up the trail along the ridge.
IMG_0792 There was a late snow this year and we weren't sure what conditions would be like up here. We started to hit some heavier snow, but nothing that slowed us down...
There was a late snow this year and we weren't sure what conditions would be like up here. We started to hit some heavier snow, but nothing that slowed us down…
IMG_0795 The heaviest snow crossing of the day.
The heaviest snow crossing of the day.
IMG_0797 A look back at the snowy area we just climbed through.
A look back at the snowy area we just climbed through.
IMG_0803 Almost to the top!
Almost to the top!
IMG_0805 An odd combination of snow and moonscape.
An odd combination of snow and moonscape.
IMG_0807 In the saddle between the Baldy peaks. Almost there!
In the saddle between the Baldy peaks. Almost there!
IMG_0813 Made it. Dad successfully completes the San Jacinto, Gorgonio, Baldy trifecta!
Made it. Dad successfully completes the San Jacinto, Gorgonio, Baldy trifecta!
10-us on top 10064 ft Family picture on the summit.
Family picture on the summit.
IMG_0812 Dad hanging out on the summit eating lunch. There's a good view of the West Baldy summit behind him.
Dad hanging out on the summit eating lunch. There's a good view of the West Baldy summit behind him.