Timber, Telegraph, Thunder, Harwood, Baldy Loop in Angeles National Forest, CA

Hike Timber, Telegraph, Thunder, Harwood, Baldy Loop Angeles National Forest, CA

Class 1 21.2 miles 8500 gain 9-12 hrs Loop May 20, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

This loop was one hell of a beautiful, long day. I've known about the Three Tees (Timber, Telegraph, Thunder) for a long time, but I never committed to doing them because I didn't want to descend the annoying ski roads to get back, so after some map-staring and motivation, I planned a loop that would continue from the Three Tees along the ridgeline to form a traverse, hitting Timber Mountian, Telegraph Peak, Thunder Mountain, Mt. Harwood, and finally, Mt. San Antonio (Old Baldy). Originally, I intended to take the standard route down from Mt. San Antonio, which I did a few years ago, and hitch a ride to the Ice House Canyon Trailhead (where I parked). However, I hadn't realized there is a trail known as the Old Baldy Trail that continues down to the town of Mt. Baldy, at the Visitor Center, which would take me much closer to my car, and also provide a ridgeline route down from the summit I had never done before. I learned of this trail at the summit when I saw a sign reading "Mt. Baldy Town 6.5 miles". I am so glad I went this way, because it had the best views of the day.

The entire route follows maintained trails, starting up the Ice House Canyon Trail. There are likely going to be a ton of people on this trail because it goes up to the more popular Cucamonga Peak, but from the Ice House Saddle through Thunder Mountain, I didn't see anyone, and this was a weekend. Anyway, from the Ice House Saddle, head up to Pine Mountain, where a sign points you to leave the main trail to hit the summit. Next is Thunder Peak, which has much nicer views and looks out toward Mt. Baldy's Devil's Backbone, the route still to come. Hit Thunder Mountain, an easy hump, and then find the very popular Devil's Backbone Trail to the summit of Mt. San Antonio, making a quick side trip to Mt. Harwood, a bald and beautiful sub-peak. Enjoy the views and the company of people before heading down the Old Baldy Trail, following a series of really interesting trail construction choices along the ridgeline and down to the town of Mt. Baldy. Hike a bit under two miles back to the trailhead. Nobody picked me up when I tried hitching. 🙁

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Timber Mountain
8303 ft
583 rise
2
Telegraph Peak
8985 ft
1183 rise
3
Thunder Mountain
8587 ft
387 rise
4
Gold Ridge
8400 ft
40 rise
5
Devils Backbone
9009 ft
9 rise
6
Mount Harwood
9552 ft
152 rise
7
Mount San Antonio
10064 ft
6224 rise

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Along the Ice House Canyon Trail.
Along the Ice House Canyon Trail.
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Ice House Canyon Trail exits the forested section and starts to gain elevation.
Ice House Canyon Trail exits the forested section and starts to gain elevation.
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Ice House Canyon Trail, almost at the Ice House Saddle.
Ice House Canyon Trail, almost at the Ice House Saddle.
From Ice House Saddle headed up to Timber Mountain.
From Ice House Saddle headed up to Timber Mountain.
Looking back toward Bighorn Peak (other side of the Ice House Saddle) along the trail to Timber Mountain
Looking back toward Bighorn Peak (other side of the Ice House Saddle) along the trail to Timber Mountain
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Timber Mountain summit.
Timber Mountain summit.
Continuing along toward Telegraph Peak (center). Baldy Peak on the left.
Continuing along toward Telegraph Peak (center). Baldy Peak on the left.
Telegraph Peak ahead.
Telegraph Peak ahead.
On the way up Telegraph Peak, looking back toward Timber Mountain.
On the way up Telegraph Peak, looking back toward Timber Mountain.
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Looking back toward Timber Mountain.
Looking back toward Timber Mountain.
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Really pretty trail along the side of Telegraph Peak.
Really pretty trail along the side of Telegraph Peak.
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Looking back along the summit ridge to Telegraph Peak.
Looking back along the summit ridge to Telegraph Peak.
Telegraph Peak looking toward Mt. Baldy.
Telegraph Peak looking toward Mt. Baldy.
Looking back toward Telegraph Peak on the way to Thunder.
Looking back toward Telegraph Peak on the way to Thunder.
Headed up Thunder Mountain.
Headed up Thunder Mountain.
Thunder Mountain summit, looking toward Mt. Baldy.
Thunder Mountain summit, looking toward Mt. Baldy.
Headed down a dirt toad to the saddle before starting the trek up the crowded trail to Mt. Baldy. You can see the ski lift area on the left. People were taking this up to get most of the way up to the summit.
Headed down a dirt toad to the saddle before starting the trek up the crowded trail to Mt. Baldy. You can see the ski lift area on the left. People were taking this up to get most of the way up to the summit.
Heading up toward Mt. Baldy (and Mt. Harwood).
Heading up toward Mt. Baldy (and Mt. Harwood).
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Devil's Backbone.
Devil's Backbone.
Looking back along the Devil's Backbone - you can see Thunder Mountain and Telegraph Peak.
Looking back along the Devil's Backbone - you can see Thunder Mountain and Telegraph Peak.
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Trial carved into the side of the mountain just after the Devil's Backbone.
Trial carved into the side of the mountain just after the Devil's Backbone.
Looking back toward the Devil's Backbone.
Looking back toward the Devil's Backbone.
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Starting up the use trail to summit Mt. Harwood.
Starting up the use trail to summit Mt. Harwood.
Looking back from just below the summit of Mt. Harwood.
Looking back from just below the summit of Mt. Harwood.
Mt. Harwood summit looking toward Mt. San Antonio (Baldy).
Mt. Harwood summit looking toward Mt. San Antonio (Baldy).
Looking back toward Mt. Harwood summit on the way down.
Looking back toward Mt. Harwood summit on the way down.
Mt. Baldy ahead.
Mt. Baldy ahead.
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Looking back along the whole ridgeline. I think Timber Mountain is hidden behind Telegraph Peak, but all four peaks I've done so far seem very far away.
Looking back along the whole ridgeline. I think Timber Mountain is hidden behind Telegraph Peak, but all four peaks I've done so far seem very far away.
Close-up looking toward the ridgeline, Mt. Harwood on the left.
Close-up looking toward the ridgeline, Mt. Harwood on the left.
Continuing on the Old Baldy Trail.
Continuing on the Old Baldy Trail.
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A beautiful surprise ridgeline along the Old Baldy Trail.
A beautiful surprise ridgeline along the Old Baldy Trail.
Clouds hovering over the city far below.
Clouds hovering over the city far below.
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Looking back up toward Mt. Baldy.
Looking back up toward Mt. Baldy.
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The trail begins to switchback and enters a canyon below.
The trail begins to switchback and enters a canyon below.
Looking back toward Timber, Telegraph, and Thunder.
Looking back toward Timber, Telegraph, and Thunder.
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Very pretty Southern California sunset haze.
Very pretty Southern California sunset haze.
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The trail exits in the town of Mt. Baldy. Follow the road for a bit back to the trailhead.
The trail exits in the town of Mt. Baldy. Follow the road for a bit back to the trailhead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!