Featured Adventure in Southern California

The economy, rising fuel costs, and trying to stay within your means; encourages you to get creative with the activities in and around your area.  In this series of articles the focus is getting out and exploring your surroundings, keeping your costs down and creating memories that won't break the bank.  We are based in Huntington Beach, CA and this location offers a variety of family affordable outing options, from the beach to mountains to the desert to the glitter of Los Angeles.

A big winter storm dumped 4 feet of fresh snow on the surrounding mountains, and clear skies stirred thoughts of getting some elevation and enjoying the views. 

View of Mount Baldy from Huntington Beach

We set our sites on Mount Baldy. 

San Antonio Falls Road with Baldy up top

This is an intermediate to advanced hike depending on weather conditions, fitness level, route and experience.  Total mileage was just under six miles with total elevation gain of around 1900ft.  We parked at Manaker Flats, walked the mile up San Antonio Falls road, then continued up the single track trail to Baldy Bowl that is just past the Ski Hut.  We stopped there to enjoy lunch, and admire those who proceeded on to climb the face of Mount Baldy that rapidly rises 2000 feet from where we sat.

View of the LA Basin from the trail to Baldy Bowl

View from Baldy Bowl

The fresh snow required us to use crampons that were graciously provided by the REI rental department ($12 for the day).

We packed our lunch at home and brought along enough trail goodies to keep our energy up for the hike ($15 worth of food and snacks).  The driving distance clocked out at 120 miles round trip ($20 worth of gas).  You will need a parking permit for this area (daily $5 or you can purchase a yearly pass that gains access to most of the surrounding mountains for $35)

Chose to bring our new Canon G12 for this adventure.  For one, it is a new camera and we were anxious to test it on the trails.  Secondly, it is much lighter than our other cameras and every ounce helps when it comes to hiking in the snow.

This type of adventure is more of an exception versus the norm.  

Creek crossing near Baldy Bowl

Enjoying the fresh powder at Baldy Bowl

Usually you will find us enjoying locations closer to home.  Yet the snow, clear skies and photos from this excursion made the rewards vastly outweigh the dog tired feeling after wards.

Someone created a Snowtem Pole at the trail head

We recommend getting out in your environment as much as possible.  However, make sure you are prepared before embarking on any adventure.  Do your homework before going to places that are unfamiliar to you.  Check the internet, contact any local outfitters or drop us an email.  We will point you in the right direction.

Total cost for the day $47 plus the cost of the parking pass.

View the rest of the photos from the hike here.  Thank you and have a great week!