Recreation At Mt. Baldy Brochure

NATIONAL FOREST ADVENTURE PASS AND GOLDEN PASSPORT

A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for vehicles parked in a non-fee area while visitors are participating in recreation activities (camp­ing in non-fee campgrounds, picnicking, hiking, fishing, etc.).

A National Forest Adventure Pass is a recreation pass for visitors using the Angeles, Cleveland, San Bernardino and Los Padres national forests. The Pass must be displayed on visitor's vehicles and is available in two forms: a Daily Pass for$5, and an Annual Pass for $30. Passes may be purchased at many Forest Service locations, many local vendors and most major sporting good outlets. For more information on the Pass and where you may purchase yours, contact a local Forest Service office.

The Forests now honor the Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Pass, and Lifetime Access Pass in lieu of the Adventure Pass. Vehicles displaying one of the Passports do not need to display an Adventure Pass.

FAMILY CAMPING

First-come, ­first-served camping is available at Manker Flats Campground located 3 miles north­east of Mt. Baldy Village on Mt. Baldy Road. Situated in a beautiful, open-pine forest, this campground features 21 sites with tables, stoves, piped water and toilets. Most sites will accom­modate small trailers or recreational vehicles but overall length should be less than 16 feet. There are no hookups, showers or sanitary disposal facilities. Overnight camping fees are $12 per site, per night, $5 for extra vehicles. The day use fee is $5 per site. If you have an Adventure Pass, you will receive a $2 discount on overnight camping and a $1 discount for any extra vehi­cles. Your Adventure Pass will cover your day-use fee. During the winter months, entry is restricted to walk-in only and only Adventure Passes or Golden Passports are required.

PICNICKING

Picnicking is permitted along the streambeds and on other National Forest land in the Mt. Baldy area, but be sure to “pack ­it ­in and pack it­ out”!A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for your vehicle.

CAMPFIRES AND CAMPFIRE PERMITS

Campfire permits are not required at developed Forest Service campgrounds or picnic areas. Visitors may use Forest Service provided stoves, fire pits and campfire circles or their own barbe­cues, liquid or gas fuel portable stoves as long as proper clearance is maintained. Visitor-built “rock ring” campfires are not allowed.

Open wood fires and barbecues are not permit­ted outside developed Forest Service camp­grounds and picnic areas. Only portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may be used outside developed sites, and a California Campfire permit is required for their use. Fire restrictions may be imposed during high fire danger. Free Campfire Permits and current fire restriction information may be obtained at any Forest Service office.

SIGHTSEEING

The Mt. Baldy Road offers many scenic vistas and photographic points. San Antonio Falls Overlook may be reached by walking 1/2 mile on a rough paved road located 100 yards north of Manker Flats Campground. The cascading falls are fed by three springs in Mt. Baldy Bowl. Please do not attempt to climb near the falls or hike near its base. Slippery foot­ing and the constantly eroding rock can cause tragedy.

On weekends, sightseeing chairlift rides to Mt. Baldy Notch and Desert View are available at Mt. Baldy Ski Area.

For panoramic views, the Glendora Ridge Road offers a breathtaking alternative route on your return trip. Though quite a winding road, it pro­vides glimpses of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness, rugged San Gabriel Canyon and the vast metropolitan San Gabriel Valley.

HIKING TRAILS

Well ­known throughout southern California, the Mt. Baldy area challenges hikers from the novice to the expert. Here are a few trails to consider during your visit:

Mt. Baldy Notch ­(3.5 miles one way): From Manker Flats, the Baldy Notch Service Road leads to panoramic views at the notch and trailsbeyond.

Devil’s Backbone ­(3.2 miles one way from Notch): From Mt. Baldy Notch, a service road leads to the Devil’s Backbone trailhead, then onto the 10,064 foot summit of Mt. Baldy.

Bear Canyon ­(6.5 miles one way to Mt. Baldy Summit): This very steep trail is best hiked from the summit down to Mt. Baldy Village. For a shorter, pleasant trip, try hiking from Mt. Baldy Village to Bear Flats (1.7 miles one way).

Icehouse Canyon ­(3.7 miles one way): This trail originates at the Icehouse parking area and winds its way to Icehouse Saddle. From the sad­dle, numerous side trails lead to prominent peaks within the Cucamonga Wilderness. For a loop trip, try hiking the Chapman Trail back down to the Icehouse parking area (5.5 miles).

Three T’s ­(5.3 miles one way): The Three T’s Trail will lead you to spectacular views from the summits of Thunder, Timber and Telegraph Mountains. Entry to the Three T’s is from Baldy Notch or Icehouse Canyon.

Elfin Forest ­(.5 mile loop): The Elfin Forest trail­head is located 200 feet east of the Lower San Antonio Fire Station off Shinn Road near the mouth of San Antonio Canyon. This unique trail winds through eucalyptus and chaparral vegeta­tion to a streamside overlook of San Antonio Creek.

For more specific hiking information, area maps, permits and weather conditions, please check with the Mt. Baldy Visitor Center or the San Gabriel River Ranger District Office.

OFF­-HIGHWAY VEHICLES

Off­ highway vehicle use is not permitted on National Forest land in the Mt. Baldy area. The nearest areas where off ­highway vehicles may be used are the San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area (10miles north of Azusa on Highway 39), the Rincon/Shortcut OHV Route and on certain des­ignated roads in the San Bernardino National Forest.

HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING

Many parts of San Antonio Canyon are closed to the discharge of any firearm. Please check prior to scheduling your hunts. All target shooting is prohibited in San Antonio Canyon.

WILDERNESS

The Icehouse, Three T’s and Chapman Trails provide access into the Cucamonga Wilderness from San Antonio Canyon. Wilderness permits are required for entry and are available free of charge from the Mt. Baldy Visitor Center and the San Gabriel River Ranger District Office. In order to protect the wilderness, quotas are in effect for areas within the San Bernardino portion of the Cucamonga Wilderness. Please contact the Lytle Creek Ranger Station (909) 887­2576 of the San Bernardino National Forest for further quota in formation.

The Sheep Mountain Wilderness encompasses 44,000 acres of rugged terrain to the west of Mt. Baldy. Wilderness permits are required for entry only into the East Fork of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Please remember, mountain bikes are not per­mitted in any wilderness area.

SERVICES

The Mt. Baldy Visitor Center is situated in cen­tral Mt. Baldy Village and is open from 8 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Restaurants, snack bars, telephones, skiing and trout fishing are provided at various private facil­ities in the canyon. Lodging is available at the Buckhorn Motel.

Limited cabin rentals are available at the Snow crest Lodge, the Mt. Baldy Lodge and from private landowners.

Gasoline and automotive services are not avail­able. Check the community bulletin board in front of the Post Office for further information.

For additional information, please call:

Mt. Baldy Visitor Center, (909) 982-­2829 or San Gabriel River Ranger District Office

(626) 335-­1251 (weekdays 8 a.m. ­4:30 p.m.)

EMERGENCIES

Dial 911, or contact any Forest Service Ranger, Sheriff’s Deputy, or the Mt. Baldy Fire Department located near the Post Office in Mt. Baldy Village.