Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Baldy Backbone Trail ?

Is it doable yet ? Or is the hut trail the only way to summit this time of year ?

I was thinking on trying to go down it Sunday but after seeing the conditions from the hut up - I would not advise it yet.

It's always doable, just depends on your skill level. It is a very fun winter route up/down Baldy, but it can be tricky with lots of snow.

I hit the Devils Backbone(on the way down) soon after the last storms cleared.
I was with a couple of friends. We are all squared away. This was shortly after the fatality on the route. I have to honestly say. Ths decent had my attention. EVERY step. I know conditions have changed since then but... Be prepaired to stay focused. Lots of fun and really pretty. But, like I said...

Tad

I was up there two weekends ago. Ascending via the bowl and then down (partially by ski) the backbone. The summit cone was very icy, but everything on the backbone side was very soft and slushy. The super steep parts, you just need to be real careful on. Bring an ice axe. I shortened my trek poles and used them like little stabbing knives on the steepest part on the ledge.

Just choose your steps wisely, come with crampons and axe, and you'll be fine.

Jason

Thanks Guys. Cant wait to get up on the mountain. Check on the crampons and axe.

I descended the backbone trail after summiting via the bowl on 1/29/11. At about ten AM on that day it was a mixture of hard snow, ice, slush, bare dirt and rock. Some long sections are completely thawed out. I must have removed my crampons 8 times. I would not have even considerd it without an axe, crampons and a helmet. Didn't see a soul until the notch, which was super crowded. PM me and I can shoot you some pictures of the more.....interesting sections.

Still snow on the backbone, but definitely easily managed.

2/12/2011

Anybody ever go up the north side via fish creek after the winter melt ? wondering if that area has a desent trial to the summit in good conditions.. Is that a route that is only for the more advanced or what ?

There's a trail that comes over the top of Pine Mnt and Dawson Mnt up the backside (to some this is the original "Backbone Trail"), you can drive up from the road that leads from West to East away from Highway 2 when the gate is open in the spring, summer and fall (it's closed right now) or you can start in Wrightwood and take the "Acorn Trail" that will come out on top of the ridge next to Wright Mnt, then crosses the PCT Trail, crosses that road I mentioned,then puts you on the trial that leads up to Baldy from the north.

Now if you are talking about doing the North Face of Baldy from Fish Fork Creek, that's a whole nother ballgame, climbers have lost their lives on that section of the mountain and it should only be attempted with the right gear, knowledge and wisdom. Getting into the Fish Fork drainage even in summer takes some extra work to start that climb. Be safe and enjoy.