Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:47 pm Post subject: Mt. Baldy via Big Horn Ridge?
I was up on the Bear Canyon trail to Baldy for the first time yesterday and I couldn't help notice Big Horn Ridge rising up on the other side of Cattle Canyon. Is that route doable? Does it involve anything more than class 2 hiking?
Interesting idea. From the summit down to about 4600' doesn't look too bad in terms of nav although definitely steep. Below 4600' it looks like a real tough nav problem. The real question in my mind is how do you gain the ridge to start your ascent? The area around the confluence of Cattle and Coldwater canyons to the 4600' level looks like a really gnarly nav problem.
I guess you could gain the ridge via Blind Canyon from Coldwater Canyon or maybe one of the ridges. The ridge just north of Fossil Canyon would be a doable route to point 6388 on Big Horn Ridge; this may be the best option. _________________ Backpacking stove reviews and information: Adventures In Stoving
Last edited by Hikin_Jim on Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:34 am; edited 1 time in total
Looking at the ridge on google earth, it also looks like there might be some access to the ridge from a little ways up Cattle Canyon above the confluence with Cow Canyon. Looks like there might be some serious access issues with all of the private holdings in the area.
I vaguely remember Taco mentioning this ridge, but i could be wrong.
I did mention this, and gave it a shot one morning. Ended up with nothing more than an 8 mile walk in Cow Canyon.
The entrance from Heaton Flats is closed, because of the ranch. YOu would probably have to enter from the RV camp at Cow Canyon Saddle, but I believe the private property still straddles the beginning of Bighorn Ridge.
The scrub oak and other chaparral low on the ridge (below the cow line, prob. 5,000ft) would be a royal PITA to get through. I don't know what everyone's ethics are regarding chopping a path through with a machete (or a flamethrower, heh), but it is entirely possible, obviously.
Hell, I'll give it a shot if anyone can get onto the lower ridge legally. Figure with the bushwhacking, 2 long days, maybe drive home on the 3rd to avoid driving off the road.
I believe Tom Becht may have some info on this... unless I'm thinking of someone else who took photos from the Bear Flat route up to W Baldy... _________________ For sale blog: http://tacoparts.blogspot.com/
I looked in my old 1984 copy of Robinson's Trails of the Angeles this morning. I thought I had remembered reading about an old route using Big Horn Ridge, and sure enough I was right (it was bound to happen sooner or later).
It's a shame that access through the ranch is now restricted. I've been through that ranch area twice. It's a nice area, and I saw a herd of big horn sheep one of the times. You could write to them and specifically ask for permission. I know that sometimes when approached properly in advance some people will grant exceptions. Just being willing to list the full names of the parties involved and their contact information may be enough to reassure them.
Another option is to take the Heaton Flat trail to the floor of Coldwater Canyon above the ranch and then continue up the canyon. The ridge at about UTM 11 435732E 3791976N (NAD27) might be a doable option although it looks pretty gnarly and who knows what the bushwhacking would be like.
If you could get permission to pass through the ranch or you approached from downstream, the ridge at UTM 11 434919E 3790997N (NAD27) looks like a better option, gaining the ridge near point 6388. Interestingly, this ridge is near Weber Camp, where the old trail took off from. Of the options I've mulled over (there of course may be others), this ridge looks like the best candidate. See http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?l...u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG _________________ Backpacking stove reviews and information: Adventures In Stoving
Definitely looks like the ridge that starts near Weber Camp is the logical choice. Looks like Weber Camp is at ~3600', a nice healthy gain of 6400' to Baldy. Hmm...I'll definitely wait for some one to restore the old trail before I even think about heading that way.
It would be interesting to know more of the history behind the old trail.
It would be interesting to know more of the history behind the old trail.
I'll try to grab my dad's old copy of The San Gabriels by Robinson and give it a look.
The info I did find was in the appendix of 1984 version of Trails of the Angeles, also by Robinson, under "Trails That Used to Be" (or something close to that). It didn't say a whole lot more than what I wrote, but other versions may have add'l info. _________________ Backpacking stove reviews and information: Adventures In Stoving
Last edited by Hikin_Jim on Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
Hopefully Jim answered the question. I know very little about the route. I was told by a buddy that it used to be the most-travelled way up, back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I've taken a bunch of pictures from GRR (Glendora Ridge Road) looking at the ridge, and you can almost see a trail in some spots. It just looks like you'd be in Amazonian plant growth the whole way. A bloody trip for sure. _________________ For sale blog: http://tacoparts.blogspot.com/
that's funny, I had always wanted to attempt Baldy via Big Horn Ridge and replied to the other post regarding most challenging hike before I saw this one. I'd be interested in giving it a shot, or going on a scouting trip.
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