Mt. Baldy is always an epic adventure. Previously, I wrote a report on the climb up to Mt. Baldy ski lifts via Glendora Mountain Road and Glendora Ridge Road. If you are unfamiliar with that route, I would highly recommend reading up on it: Glendora Mountain Rd, Glendora Ridge Rd & Mt Baldy Rd (to the Ski Lifts!). It is arguably the most scenic, incredible ride in the area. This post, however, is about the more direct way up. First, a few stats:

  • Total Ride: 12.6 miles at 7% with over 4600 feet of elevation gain
  • 2 separate 2 mile long sections at greater than 9% grade
  • Multiple 15% ramps
  • 8.1% average grade for the 7.2 mile long section above the tunnels
  • 8.8% average grade for the final 4 miles above the village (almost 1900 feet in elevation gain)
  • 9.2% average grade for the 2 mile Hogsback section (last tunnel to just before Mt. Baldy Village)
  • 10.0% average grade for the 1.9 mile section from Icehouse Canyon through the switchbacks to Manker Flats (1000 feet in <2 miles!)
  • 14-15% average grade for the final .3 mile section to the ski lifts (230 feet elevation gain)

    • Needless to say, this is a stout climb. It is definitely one of the hardest climbs in southern California. It is long enough that you can’t just power up it (unlike many of the Santa Monica climbs) and it gets progressively harder (just as your legs get tired and the elevation starts robbing you of oxygen).

    For more stats and an excellent elevation profile (broken down into lots of sections and with landmarks noted), check out SoCalVelo’s Mt. Baldy Road Page.

    Anyway, despite all the riding and climbing I do, I had never actually ridden the portion of Mt. Baldy Rd from Claremont to Mt. Baldy Village (generally opting to ride Glendora Mountain Rd and Glendora Ridge Rd). Given how famous this climb is, I was long overdue. I started my ride today at Padua Avenue Park:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    You can also start from the intersection of Mt. Baldy Rd and Mills Ave (the most common starting point). Either way, they are close to each other and both provide quick access to the climb. After turning onto Mt. Baldy Rd, the first part of the climb is easy as you pass through the last of Claremont’s residential neighborhoods:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    The climbing then ramps up a little bit (but at a still moderate grade):

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Very quickly, the scenery becomes very nice:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Yup, one other cyclist braving the near 90 degree heat of the bottom section. While a slight breeze kept things almost tolerable, I would recommend an early start in the summer as the climb to the village can get rather hot. I was hoping to pace him for a while, but, sadly, he turned off onto Mountain Ave a short while later:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    At this point, the mountains really start surrounding you:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Impressive canyon to be riding up:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Still some nice color along the way:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Keep in mind that some of the peaks you see as you go up hit 10,000 feet in elevation:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Enjoy the scenery along this section:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Why? Because this section is easy. That will change very, very soon. You soon hit the first of two tunnels. This first one was built in 1949 and is the longer of the two:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    And the second, shorter tunnel (built in 1954):

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    The 2 miles following the tunnels will be your first test. Averaging 9.2%, these 2 grueling miles known as the Hogsback will make you wish you had easier gearing. Making it mentally tougher, this section doesn’t ever look steep. Why? You are following a canyon uphill. Since the whole canyon and the surrounding environment is tilted upwards, you don’t get any flat frame-of-reference to visually let you know that the road is steep. The only way you will be able to gauge the steepness is by noticing that you are having trouble staying upright because you are going so slow ;) Oh, and in this section, the heat may kill you too in the warmer summer months. Also, the following 7.2 mile stretch from here to the ski lifts averages 8.1%. So yeah, Hogsback is awfully…fun. Right.

    Looking back down Hogsback from the top of this section:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    If you make it up Hogsback, you are greeted with a well-earned and altogether too short descent:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    This is also the lead-in to the village of Mt. Baldy:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Lots of nice little residences up here. Coming up to the intersection with Glendora Ridge Rd:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    What a backdrop for this village! And, 4,000 feet elevation!

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Also, Mt. Baldy Lodge Restaurant is an excellent place to grab a bite to eat after your climb:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Get a burger and fries there after you finish your climbing – it will taste really, really good. In the village, there is also a visitor center where you can learn more about the area:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Lots of hiking trails in the area:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Give Devil’s Backbone a try if you like hiking. The scenery and views are spectacular. One of the most amazing hikes..anywhere.

    Buckhorn Lodge on the outskirts of the village:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    What a setting! And, the climbing starts in earnest again, right here:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    These last 4 miles to the ski lifts will give you almost 1900 feet in elevation gain – an average of 8.8%! 8.8% for 4 miles. Seriously. This is the part that really tests you. The fact that you have already climbed a few thousand feet and you are getting to elevations where there is less oxygen makes it all that much harder. Enjoy!

    At least the scenery is good!

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    About a mile after the village, you hit the intersection with Icehouse Canyon:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    This is where the real punishment starts. The next 1.9 miles average about 10.0% grade (ouch!). Yes, 1,000 feet in elevation gain in less than 2 miles. This is the crazy switchback section of the climb. There are 8 distinct, tight and steep switchbacks in this section. This section is even hard to do in a car (see if you can drive this in a manual transmission car without shifting to 1st gear). On a bike, it is also rather hard!

    You quickly pass 5,000 feet:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    One of those tight switchbacks:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    One of the insane switchbacks:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    A panorama view:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    That is a steep road. The scenery, once again, is quite nice:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    As tough as this section is, try to look up on occasion and enjoy the scenery.

    Another beautiful switchback (this one at the intersection with Iron Gate Rd):

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Rugged mountains:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Push on a little longer and you get a very brief respite (a respite in this section simply means the grade is slightly less steep) with some more nice scenery:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    You may want to take a little break here as the next push is the steepest yet. Midway along the this next super steep section, you get a nice view of the road just climbed:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    A bit later and a striking view down the valley:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    The final curve for this crazy section:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Stretch your legs a bit and enjoy a small descent and some easy climbing through Manker Flats:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Cute snack bar here:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    And, finally, the last push up to the ski lifts:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    This last stretch is your final test. Averaging 14-15% for 3/10 of a mile, your legs will suffer.

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Tough, but very rewarding. As you crawl up this last stretch, you are greeted with this sign, marking the end of the true climb:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    The last little bit of riding is through the multiple levels of parking for the ski area. This section climbs gently and gives you a last few dozen feet of gain to the chair lifts:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Yeah, the pavement is even worse than it looks. On the other hand, it is a nice and easy finish to this epic climb.

    And, finally, the top of the climb – looking up the lift:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    6500 feet in elevation!

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    The chairlift goes up to the notch at about 7800 feet in elevation:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    There is a restaurant up there (the building you see in the picture above at the top of the lift) with an incredible view. I would highly recommend, on a nice summer day, driving up to the lifts, riding the lift to the notch, hiking up Devil’s Backbone to the top of Mt. Baldy (aka Mt. San Antonio), then getting a burger and beer at the restaurant at the notch. The view from the deck is really, really incredible. Note that, during summer, they are only open on weekends and holidays.

    Anyway, obligatory shots of my bike at the top:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy
    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    After taking a well deserved rest at the top, it was finally time to descend:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    The descent from the ski lifts to the village is very technical. The road surface is not great, the grade is very steep and the curves are tight. Sections of it are definitely fun, but keep in mind that you will build speed extremely quickly and some of that speed will have to be quickly scrubbed for the switchbacks. Also, watch for rock debris from some of the crumbling hillsides. With that said, this section of the descent is a great test of your descending skills.

    Once you hit the village, you are done with the technical section of the descent. The rest of your ride is a spectacular, fast descent. From the village all the way down to Claremont (over 7 miles), you will only hit the brakes a couple of times. That Hogsback section that was such a pain to climb? Easy 40+ mph on the descent (with the possibility of hitting 50mph if you pedal). The curves are gentle too, allowing you to sweep through them at that same 40+ mph.

    After Hogsback, you hit the tunnels. I’d recommend scrubbing some speed here since your visibility goes down in the tunnels. After the tunnels and the one slightly harder right-hand curve, hammer a bit and get your speed back up. While you may not carry 40mph for the rest of the descent, you will still get to ride at 30+ with sections above 40. Just watch for occasional rocks on the road – especially through the sections that cut through the hillside.

    With that said, this is an incredible descent overall. Very fast and very fun. A well earned reward after an epic climb.

    Some MapMyRide maps below (click on them for more detail, elevation profiles, etc):

    Full climb (Claremont to the ski lifts):

    Hogsback section (the steep section between the last tunnel and the village of Mt. Baldy):

    7.2 mile section from the last tunnel to the ski lifts (average 8.1%):

    The last 4 miles (actually, slightly more than 4 miles) from the village to the ski lifts (average 8.8%!):

    Icehouse Canyon to Manker Flats Switchback Section (ridiculous 10% grade for almost 2 miles!):

    And, finally, the last super steep (14-15%) 3/10 of a mile climb to the ski lifts:

    Make sure to click View Elevation on the maps above. The elevation profiles are rather impressive.

    Also, here is my Garmin Connect data for this ride:

    And, the rest of the photos:

    2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Oh, and my reward for conquering the climb:

    From 2010-06-23 – San Gabriel Mountains Cycling – Mt. Baldy

    Legends Burgers has the most amazing and satisfying chili cheese fries in my opinion – loaded with salty fries and topped with tons of chili and cheese. Yum! Their burgers are really good too.

    In summary, Mt. Baldy Road is one of the hardest climbs in southern California and is a must do for any serious cyclist. Give it a try. It is tough, but you will emerge a stronger rider having completed it.

    Prost!

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