Three T's - Mt. Baldy

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This trail leads you through Cucamonga Wilderness up to the Three T's (Timber Mountain, Telegraph Peak, Thunder Mountain) to Mt. Baldy. Numerous rewarding views are on your way. From Mt. Baldy you can see Los Angeles, Catalina Island, and the Mojave Desert.

Adventure Pass required to park at Icehouse Canyon Trailhead and the Manker Flat Trailhead. Trails can be very dangerous if there is snow or ice.

This extended route can be done as a multi-day trip or on a single day, but it will push even an experienced runner to the physical limits given the elevation gain.

You start your route by heading up the Icehouse Canyon Trail #7W07A along Icehouse Creek. Towards Icehouse Saddle, trees become more sparse and you get a good view of the canyon. Turn left on Three T's Trail #7W06 which will lead you to a junction with the Timber Mtn. Trail #7W06B. Feel free to take Timber Mountain spur, but don't expect any beautiful views from the top. Back on Three T's Trail you descend again for a while only to start a major ascend to Telegraph Peak. The short Telegraph Peak Trail #7W06A will lead you to the top where you have a magnificent view of Mt. Baldy and the Mojave Desert. This is also a good place to get some rest.

Back on Three T's Trail you descend again and climb up to Thunder Mountain Road. Take the road down to Mt. Baldy Notch where there is a restaurant and a ski lift. From the notch, continue north on a dirt road which becomes the Devil's Backbone Trail. It starts with a very steep ascent for about a mile. Amazing views await you left and right. The last stretch of Devil's Backbone Trail before you reach Mt. Baldy summit is very steep and sometimes winding. At the top you are rewarded with magnificent panoramic views in all directions. This is a good place to spend some time and just relax.

Turn south and follow Baldy Bowl Trail #7W02, a very steep descend on the south side of the mountain. About halfway, you pass the Sierra Club Ski Hut next to a seasonal spring. The trail ends at Baldy Road #3N01 which you continue to follow downhill. Baldy Road #3N01 turns into Falls Road at San Antonio Falls. Continue until you reach the Mt. Baldy Trailhead.

This route is usually completed by using a shuttle vehicle that is placed at the Mt. Baldy Trailhead, but you could choose to reverse your route if you are so inclined.

Alder, maple trees found along the stream while oaks, bigcone spruce, Jeffrey pines, sugar pines, white fir offer occasional shade at higher elevations. Limber and lodgepole pines found at higher elevations. Columbines and scarlet monkey flowers found around the springs. Watch for bighorn sheep.