By This hike is located in Mount Baldy, CA. Hiker parking spots are available by the Mt Baldy Visitor Center near the trailhead. There are limited spots and parking can be challenging on the weekends so go early or go on a weekday if your schedule is flexible.
You need to pick up an Adventure Pass before arriving at the trailhead. The permit is required for parking, not for hiking. You can purchase a pass at the Visitor Center if it’s open. Alternatively, you can pick one up easily from a Big 5 Sporting Goods store near your home.
Once you’ve parked, hang the pass over your rearview mirror then walk toward Mt Baldy Village Church across from Mt Baldy Lodge. Begin the hike on Bear Canyon Drive.
Please be respectful and keep the noise to a minimum while passing through the cabins. After 0.4 miles, you will reach the old Mt. Baldy Trail. Now, it’s called Bear Canyon Trail.
Now you’ll be hiking on a single-track trail. Enjoy the serenity with the view. When in doubt, follow the trail on your right. It only happens once when you are climbing up.
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Lovely forest setting.
We had the trail mostly to ourselves on a weekday morning. When we led a guided hike on a weekend morning, though, we ran into several hikers who were hiking to Mount Baldy summit.
There are several ways to summit Mt. Baldy and this route is more challenging than others by gaining 5,848 feet in 6.4 miles. This route is for advanced hikers only.
Bear Flat early in the morning
When you are ready, go back down the way you came up. It’s an out and back trail. As always, the view is better going down.
Good to Know:
- Hike Date: 3.31.21
- Distance: 3.4 miles RT
- Elevation Gain: 1,160 ft.
- Difficulty Level: Moderate-Challenging
- Max Altitude: 5,560 ft.
- Fee/Permit: National Forest Adventure Pass for parking
- Trailhead Coordinates: 34.237768, -117.657849
- Notable: forest, switchbacks, view, out and back, no restroom
Hiking Girl with Dog 
That was a great hike! Thanks for taking our group there this Spring! The views were spectacular!
It was my pleasure! I am happy the weather condition was perfect that morning!
Bear Flats via Bear Canyon??? Any bears???
Probably while back, that was the case but there aren’t bear encounters in this region any more at least in the last 30 years. There was one a few years ago but that was a rare case.
Oh well…it is beautiful. To be compared with the little black bear who strolled up our driveway last week. Our dogs of course went crazy barking!
Oh my! I bet!! 🐻😁
The view is always better with a sweet dog in it 😉 It’s amazing to see how varied the trail is.
Yes it is! That’s one of the reasons why I like this hike. 🙂