Hike Mt Baldy on the Bear Canyon Trail
| In This Guide |
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| Distance | 13 miles (20.9 km) |
| Hike Time | 8 Hours (Total) |
| Difficulty (?) | Very Hard |
| Total Ascent (?) | 5,650 feet (1722m) |
| Highest Elevation | 10,064 feet (3068m) |
| Fees & Permits | Parking Pass |
| Dog Friendly | Leashed |
| Park Website | Mt Baldy Visitor's Center |
| Park Phone | 909-982-2829 |
| Stay In Touch | Newsletter - Instagram - YouTube - Facebook |
Everyone hikes Mt Baldy from Manker Flats, but have you done it on the Bear Canyon Trail? Also known as Old Mt Baldy Trail, this hike leaves from Mt Baldy Village on it’s way to the summit. Unlike the main hike up Mt Baldy (via Baldy Notch), the Bear Canyon Trail is usually not as crowded. That’s because it’s harder. It climbs 5740 feet in 6 miles. There are sections that are very steep. It’d doable with a decent level of fitness. This hike is a good choice for those who have hiked Mt Baldy from Manker Flats and now want to do it again, without all the hub-bub.
The Bear Canyon Trail, built in 1889, used to be the main route to hike Mt Baldy, which is why they call it the Old Baldy Trail. When the road to Manker Flat was built in 1936, the shorter Ski Hut and Devil’s Backbone routes became more popular.
Bear Canyon was also the main way to access the Baldy Summit Inn, opened in 1910 by William B. Dewey, who was the first gringo to summit Mt Baldy in 1882. It cost $1 a night to stay at the inn, but burnt down in 1913.
Getting to the Bear Canyon Trail
Use this as the trailhead address: 6778 Mt Baldy Rd, Mt Baldy, CA, 91759, USA.
You need a parking pass for the lot. I use the affordable National Parks Pass, which gets me in every park, monument, and national forest. You can also use an (Southern California only) Adventure Pass, or buy a $5 day permit from the ranger’s office.
A Note on Parking
Parking here is tough. There are six spots in front of the Mt Baldy Visitor’s Center where you can park and leave your car. You can try your luck along the road in other places, but beware of the “no parking” signs. The Mt Baldy Visitor’s Center lot has a 20 minute maximum time. I would recommend calling the Mt Baldy Visitor’s Center number (above) to confirm. The parking situation seems to change every so often here.
When I finished the hike from this trip report, I ran into some upset hikers. They had arrived before dawn, and the parking options and signs weren’t so obvious. They saw a sign at the start of Bear Canyon Road that said “Private Road – Hikers Welcome” and assumed that meant they could park at the trailhead.
When they got back from their hike, a local (named “Mark” who lives on Bear Canyon Road) had left a really nasty and threatening note on their windshield. Yes, they made a mistake and parked in the wrong place. No, they didn’t deserve a profanity-laced missive on where to park. So take care when parking and avoid the grumpy locals. And stay classy Mark.
Gear for the Hike
This is a tough backcountry hike and you need proper hiking gear. Bring at least 3L of water, food, and gear for changing conditions.
This is not a hike to do in bad or winter weather, unless you are very experienced in those conditions. The Bear Canyon Trail is exposed for much of the way, with some sheer drop-offs on either side. People die here, don’t take any risks.
I try a lot of hiking boots and shoes, and there are some great options out there, but the La Sportiva Spire is the best combination of comfort, protection, low-weight, and durability. They are waterproof, and the high cuff keeps debris out without the need for a gaiter. Time tested over thousands of miles. Use them with a two-layer sock system to end blisters for good.
Reviews & Lowest Prices: Women – Men
On a medium or longer hike I recommend a pack like the Osprey Talon 33 (men) or Osprey Sirrus 36 (women) which is a little bit larger. These packs are on the upper end of the (35L) daypack range, but they only weigh a small fraction more than a pack with less capacity. Having the extra space gives you more flexibility and means you don’t have to jam things in there. I use the space for things like extra layers in the winter, extra water on desert hikes, and even a tent & sleeping bag on overnights.
If you’re not familiar with the Garmin InReach technology, it allows you to send and receive text messages where you don’t have cell phone signals. You can also get weather reports and trigger an SOS to emergency responders. Even if you don’t have an emergency, sending a quick message telling a loved one that you’re okay or are running late is well worth the cost. The Mini fits in your palm and weighs next to nothing. Read my review and see the lowest prices and reviews at REI.
I’m a big fan of GPS watches (which I also use as a sleep, wellness, and fitness tracker) and my current watch is the Fenix 6 Pro Solar. I load my GPX tracks onto the watch to make sure I’m in the right place, and if not, the onboard topo maps allow me to navigate on the fly. It’s pricey but it has a great battery, accurate GPS, and tons of functionality. If you want something similar without the maps and big price tag, check out the Garmin Instinct which is a great buy and does a lot of the same things.
Here’s my complete gear list that I personally use, have tested, and recommend.See All of My Best Gear Picks Here
No company pays me to promote or push a product, all the gear you see here is gear I use and recommend. If you click an a link and buy gear, I get a small commission that helps offset website expenses. There is no cost to you.
Bear Canyon Trail to Mt Baldy Trail Maps
Hike Mt Baldy on the Bear Canyon Trail Map Downloads
Bear Canyon Trail to Mt Baldy Hike Directions
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Video Directions
Turn by Turn Hike Directions
Most of the peaks you sea around you can be hiked. The Three Tees are directly to the right of Baldy. And across the valley are Bighorn and Ontario Peaks. All great hikes without big crowds.
Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.
