10/26/19 Another trip with Dad up the backside of Baldy from Wrightwood. This time we only went to Pine Mountain, but that section of the Backbone trail is unquestionably one my favorite trails in all of SoCal!
1 The signs keep getting fancier and fancier. This one is new since I was here just last year.
2 Nice Fall colors as we leave town on our way to the trailhead.
3 Ready to get on the singletrack.
4 Dad's picture of me heading out...
5 The Acorn trail is a couple miles of nice smooth forested trail.
6 Made it to the top of Acorn.
7 Looking out over the bowl.
8 After a bit of fireroad, it's on to the Backbone trail. One of the gnarliest sections of trail in SoCal. And absolutely one of my favorites!
9 Dad powering up "the trail".
10 Taking a quick break looking out over the meadow below.
11 Beautiful day.
12 As rugged a trail as you'll find.
13 This shot gives you some sense of just how steep the trail is in places.
14 Making good progress.
15 Dad just reaching the top of one of the more technical sections. You don't want to slip around here.
16 It's a bit of a rock scramble in places.
17 Epic terrain.
18 It almost looks flat to Dad's left, but far from it!
19 Over halfway up to the top.
20 Dad decides to make this his turnaround point. He hangs out here while I try to hurry to the top of Pine Mountain and back.
21 I always love this section of trees.
22 Made it to the top!
23 Gorgeous views today, clear all the way from Baldy to the ocean.
24 Panorama from the top of Pine Mountain. Mt Baldy, West Baldy, Iron Mountain, and Mt Baden-Powell from left-to-right, with the ocean in the distance.
25 Looking out towards Mt. Baden-Powell.
26 Heading back down now to meet-up with Dad. I had predicted 1hr 15min, and made it back in 1hr 13min (which included 20min on top).
27 Heading down together now. Definitely a tricky descent.
28 Going down this section is not much faster than going up.
29 Nice lighting from the late afternoon sun.
30 More super technical descent.
31 Starting to get smoother now.
32 Made it off the Backbone trail. Now looking back at Pine Mountain in the early evening glow.
33 Beautiful time of day.
34 Much different lighting on the bowl now.
35 On the way back, we take the PCT rather than the fireroad. Now that I know how to get to the Backbone from the PCT, I'll never use the fireroad again!
36 As per tradition, we finish in the dark with headlamps. Another great day in the books!
