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A high ridgeline trail, on the 3rd tallest mountain in SoCal; see Catalina Island on a clear day.


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Map Key

7.1

Miles

11.4

KM

76%

Runnable

10,000' 3,048 m

High

6,209' 1,893 m

Low

3,799' 1,158 m

Up

82' 25 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Waterfall

Overview

The race starts at the tippy top of Mt. Baldy Rd. The first 1/2 mile is on paved roadway, then there's 3.5+ miles on dirt service road through a forested area and, finally, 3.1 miles on a ridgeline trail.

Need to Know

The awards ceremony is in front of the Notch, which is a full-service restaurant with great food and a bar.

Runner Notes

Some narrow sections of trail, "catwalk," with steep drop-offs on both sides; and a short cliff-hugging section that has no room for error.

Description

A past participant called this race, "A different kind of monster." Perhaps it's because of the altitude combined with very steep sections. The start line is at about 6,000' and the finish line is at 10,064'.

Most participants are able to run all the way to the Notch and a little past, which is about halfway. Then most runners start walking or run intermittently. The route levels a bit at the start of the Devil's Backbone, but it's short-lived.

From that point forward, it's very difficult to maintain a consistent run; however, there is a long stretch of relative flatness below Mt. Harwood. After that is the start of the final 650 feet of elevation gain (from the saddle just past Mt. Harwood). I think this is where the monster comes in.

History & Background

This is the 58th annual Run-to-the-Top!

Contacts

Shared By:

Tracy Sulkin

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 6 votes

#4

in Mt. Baldy

#1330

Overall
  4.7 from 6 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#4

in Mt. Baldy

#209

in California

#1,330

Overall
10 Views Last Month
17,581 Since Aug 5, 2015
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Photos

Summit of Mt. San Antonio facing south-east.
Aug 5, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Looking toward a ridge section with great views!
Aug 1, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Looking down from the summit of Mt. Baldy
Dec 29, 2022 near Mount B…, CA
The Devils Backbone juts out of the ground on Mt. Baldy.
Feb 23, 2017 near Wrightwood, CA
There's a reason they call it the backbone!
Aug 6, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
View from the trail
Mar 18, 2022 near Mount B…, CA
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