Mt Baldy Trailhead — Attraction in Wrightwood

The approach is short but informal—more a steep use-path than a groomed trail—dropping through chaparral and pine to San Antonio Creek. The payoff is a pretty, two-tier cascade (roughly 25–30 feet) spilling into shallow, granite-rimmed pools that catch dappled light beautifully in the late morning and early afternoon. On busy weekends you’ll bump into families, dogs, and the occasional bit of graffiti on riverside boulders, but the overall setting remains charming, especially when snowmelt boosts the flow. Bring sturdy shoes: loose gravel, sand-over-hardpack, and a little boulder-hopping make the last hundred yards slicker than they look. The falls are highly seasonal. Late winter through late spring is the sweet spot, when runoff turns the curtain of water photogenic and the creek noise fills the canyon. Summer reduces the flow to a delicate veil; it’s still pleasant for a picnic and a foot soak, but don’t expect a roaring cataract. After storms, water volume rises quickly and rock surfaces become treacherous—exercise caution and avoid scrambling up wet ledges. Shade is patchy, there are no facilities, and cell service is spotty; pack water, sun protection, and be prepared to pack out every scrap you bring in. Keep an eye out for poison oak near the creek, and mind the steeper edges where sand can act like...

Fantastic hike on a day after Christmas. Mt. Baldy Trailhead is one of the few family friendly hiking trails in The Angeles National Forest. It’s a great trail for all ages.

There is an amazing waterfall that’s just 10 minutes hike from the parking lot. I saw many families with kids play around at the water fall. I suspect they will just spend their time here.

For hikers, another easy to moderate 3.2 miles hike will get you to the notch on top. There is a nice coffee shop there serving coffee and sandwiches. It’s a nice break before heading back down. You can take a cable car down if you don’t feel like hiking down.

Along the way, the splendid mountain sceneries would just awe anyone who likes nature. The majestic Mountain View is just awesome. It makes you feel great for how beautiful nature is.

On a sunny day during the winter, like the day after Christmas, the weather is very pleasant. Just wear a long sleeve top for hiking and a hiking pant are good enough to keep you warm. But do bring a wind breaker jacket in case there is strong wind. The weather tends to get windy at times.

After rain, you might see snow too. I saw some snows in the shadow parts of the mountain area. But overall, it is a nice hike for family to have a good time. It...

The "Ski Hut" trail to the summit of Mt Baldy is a popular challenge. This trail is 4 miles, gaining altitude at roughly 1000' per mile. The whole trail spans 6000" to 10000' in alritide with no significant downhill sections.

The Ski Hut itself is a good shady spot to take a break just past the 2 mile mark. There is even an outhouse here.

Although the Hut is halfway, it is best to consider it one third, with what feels like two thirds of the effort to get to the summit. Your lungs will feel the altitude after 9000' on the steepest section in the middle of the final mile.

Mt. Baldy's summit is popular partly because there is an easy way down (and up), from the summit if you are completely spent by the climb or simply want to enjoy new (and even more) spectacular views. The Devil's Backbone Trail is a great pohoto-op trail to the ski area's Top of the Notch lodge. The ski lodge offers refreshments and restrooms -- a great place to reconnect and debrief with hiking buddies. The ski lift ride down is not easy to pass up,...