Michael Satterfield
Mount San Antonio looms over the Inland Empire, separating the once agricultural valley of Rancho Cucamonga and Chino from the High Deserts of Palmdale and Saddleback Butte State Park. Known better by its local name, Mount Baldy, the highest peak of the San Gabriel Mountains, and the highest point in Los Angeles County, the mountain is within the Angeles National Forest.
I grew up in the shadow of Mount Baldy, Mountain Avenue was one of my favorite roads, drive to the top, turn around, take Glendora Ridge Road around the to Glendora Mountain Road and back to the freeway and home again. I had always heard there were a restaurant and campsite at the top of Mount Baldy, but I had never been there myself, that was until recently when I finally made my way to the top of the notch.
In 1952 Harwood Developments installed the first set of ski lifts and developed the Mt. Baldy Resort as the largest and steepest ski resort in Southern California, with 26 runs spanning 3 mountains. It is hard to imagine what it looks like up here in the snow, but During the summer the ski lift operates allowing hikers, campers, and curious people like myself access to the top of the mountain in about 15 minutes, a round trip will cost you $25 per person.
Once you ascend to the peak in the squeaky vintage ski lift, you are welcomed by breathtaking views of the valley below, looking southwest on a clear day you can see the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, a short walk across to the other side gives you a panoramic view of the Antelope Valley, El Mirage, and Apple Valley.
I was surprised to learn that Mount Baldy Resort does have overnight accommodations available at the top of the mountain. Tent Cabins range between $149-$399 a night, depending on the size of the cabin and weekend vs weekday bookings. Each Tent Cabin’s booking includes a round trip lift ticket, arrival night dinner and breakfast for each guest. You can also book trailhead shuttle service, boxed lunches for your hike, and additional services. The resort also has a four-line, zip line course that allows you to race across 600ft of desert views, 90 ft above the ground.
The resort is also a launch point for several hiking trails, ranging between 1.5 and 8 miles. Hike the Devil’s Backbone to Mt Baldy peak (10,069ft) from the Top of the Notch it is about three and a half miles one way with a gain of twenty-two hundred feet in elevation. In the summer the resort hosts moonlight hikes on Friday and Saturday night, the weekend on or before the full moon, after an evening of hiking you can catch live music and a special dinner at the Top of the Notch Restaurant.
The Top of the Notch restaurant is open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm most days and later for cabin guests, live music events, and moonlight hikes. The traditional American menu is complemented by a bar offering a great selection of craft beers and incredible views. During ski season the restaurant is the main hub of the resort with a large wood-burning stove and hot drinks to warm up skiers.
Chatting with one of the employees the ski season is always hit or miss, but when they have snow the skiing is supposed to be some of the best and most challenging in Southern California with over half of the runs being rated, Black Diamond. Some seasons there are only a few days when all of the runs have enough natural snow to open, however, if conditions are right they can make snow.
If you would like to learn more or plan your own trip to Mount Baldy Resort please visit their website HERE.
