Whatever hiking means to you – a way to get out and immerse yourself in nature, a good physical workout (or a mental one!), etc. – there are endless trails in Southern California to choose from. If you are looking for a mountain trail that will bring out your adventurous side, and reward it with unbeatable views, check out the best – and hardest – hike near Mount Baldy, which also happens to be one of the best hikes in Southern California.

Hikers who are up for a real challenge will love this 15.4-mile out-and-back trail in the Angeles National Forest - it is an intense workout and offers some stunning views along the way.
Miguel Arcilla/AllTrails
You begin this journey on Mt. Baldy Road, and about a half-mile in you will get a good view of San Antonio Falls. You can detour here and hike down toward the creek and to the base of the falls, which after a nice rain is well worth the short side-hike.
Arturo Munoz/Google Reviews
The trail is quite narrow in parts and in the first few miles gains an average of 1000 feet per mile. At about 2.5 miles, the trail passes by the San Antonio Ski Hut before crossing Baldy Bowl.
DMy Hanh Nguyen/AllTrails
The terrain is varied as you climb and descend peaks, pass along steep ridges, cross a flowing creek, and traverse boulder fields.
Jacob Kitson/Google Reviews

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Throughout this awesome SoCal hike, the views are beautiful, including canyon overlooks, majestic oaks, wildflowers, and an alpine forest.
Thuha Truax/AllTrails
Justin Calvino/AllTrails
When you reach Mount Baldy, also known as Mount San Antonio, take a moment to breathe and admire the spectacular 360-degree views. The air is thin as you will have reached the trail’s highest elevation at over 10,000 feet. This is actually the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Jon Stockwell/AllTrails
From Mount Baldy, the North Backbone Trail goes all the way to Wright Mountain, passing Dawson Peak and Pine Mountain, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail, before reaching the summit.
Brady Baer/AllTrails
The multi-peak - in fact, there are five peaks along this trail - hike near Mount Baldy is a long one, so most experienced hikers recommend breaking the hike up and camping for the night at the summit before returning.

Though the trail is open all year, the best time for this hike is between May and November, as it becomes increasingly challenging, and possibly dangerous, during winter months. In mid-summer, it’s a good idea to start early in the day both to take advantage of cooler temps and to maybe have some time on the trail to yourself. Have you undertaken this epic hike to Wright Mountain? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. If you haven’t, are you ready for a new adventure? Before your next serious trek, make sure you check out our Ultimate Hiking Packing List to make sure you have all the essentials for a great experience. 

Need more inspiration? Take a look at more of the best hiking trails in Southern California!

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