Overview:
Mt. Baldy is an excellent adventure for any van or RV nomad looking to escape the city for the mountains for the day. There is a large parking lot that can accommodate your van or RV while you explore and hike the mountain. There is a chair lift at the trailhead parking that takes you to the “Top of the Notch,” where you can get a drink or lunch.
Adventure:
Mt. Baldy Resort is a year-round destination known for skiing/snowboarding and summer hiking. The resort is “Top of the Notch,” which has a restaurant, bar and hosts live music on the weekends. It is a fun place to spend the day, even if you are not hiking.
You need to purchase a chair lift pass to reach the Top of the Notch, or you can hike the three miles. The chair lift pass is $25 round trip.
Camping
The Mt. Baldy Resorts offers camping in a tent cabin. 12 Tent Cabin sites are located within walking distance of the Top of the Notch Restaurant.
Hiking
From the Top of the Notch mountain area, hikers head out to the three T’s trails or on the Devil Backbone trail to Mt. San Antonio. On the way down, it’s always a good idea to stop by the Top of the Notch for a bite and a drink.
The hike up to Mt. San Antonio is exposed and is not recommended for beginners. The hike is an 11-mile round trip and climbs 4000 feet to the highest point in LA at 10,064 feet. Once you reach the peak, you will be rewarded with a view from the Pacific ocean to the Mojave desert.
Icehouse Canyon
Icehouse Canyon is a 2.6-mile canyon located about a mile before the Mt. Baldy trailhead parking lot. The canyon is stunning and makes for a great day hike. Remember to register at the trailhead.
It’s a privilege to have Mt Baldy for our enjoyment, so please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Directions:
- From the 210 Fwy exit E. Baseline Rd west. Take you first right north onto Padua Ave. Take Padua Ave until it intersects Mr. Baldy Rd. Take a right and go twenty minutes until you get to the trailhead parking lot.
References and Other Adventures:
- Website: Mt Baldy Resort
- Hours Top of the Notch: 7:30am – 5:30pm
- 8401 Mt Baldy Rd. Mt Baldy, CA 91759
- Mt Baldy Resort Phone Number: (909)982-0800
Joshua Tree National Park
Besides a visit to the beach, a visit to Joshua Tree National Park is a must for any van or RV nomad exploring Southern California. The park offers excellent adventures to include camping, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, stargazing, and great geologic features that add to the wonder of this vast wilderness.
Chino Hills State Park
Chino Hills State Park is a 14,102-acre park right in the middle of Los Angeles that is perfect for any van or RV lifer who wants to spend the day exploring. It’s a unique park in that it provides refuge for both biodiversity and solitude to the visitors who enjoy their outdoor experiences. The park allows its visitors to hike, mountain bike, or ride a horse on miles of trails.
