Who knew that Mt. Baldy offered more than just winter fun? Mt. Baldy, less than two hours from the Santa Clarita Valley, offers great hiking trails, off-grid tent camping with all-inclusive dining and a roundtrip scenic lift ticket. It’s the perfect weekend getaway at 7,800 feet. Mt. Baldy is officially named Mount San Antonio and, at 10,064 feet, is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains.
Mt. Baldy Resort
8401 Mount Baldy Rd., Mount Baldy 91759
Operating since 1952, Mt. Baldy Resort it is known for providing a rustic, old-school mountain experience.
It is most known for winter skiing and snowboarding across 800 skiable acres with a 2,100-foot vertical drop and famous for steep, challenging runs suited for advanced skiers alongside basic learning areas.
However, Mt. Baldy also offers year-round recreation including scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, ziplining, camping and hiking trails.
Top of the Notch Restaurant
7926 Mount Baldy Rd., Mount Baldy 91759
Info www.mtbaldyresort.com/top-of-the-notch
Located at the top of Chair 1 at Mt. Baldy Resort for 70 years, the Top of the Notch has provided guests a unique dining experience perched above Southern California.
This high-alpine American restaurant and bar is perched at 7,800 feet elevation at the top of Chair 1 at the Mt Baldy Resort. You cannot drive directly to the restaurant, visitors must either hike up the mountain trails or ride the Mt Baldy Resort scenic chairlift.
The summer/fall hours are Friday: Noon-7 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. However, hours can vary seasonally.
This casual, rustic mountain lodge with indoor seating offers a cozy fireplace/potbelly stove in winter and an outdoor deck/picnic area.
Enjoy panoramic vistas overlooking the Inland Empire, surrounding San Gabriel peaks and San Gabriel Valley views.
The restaurant serves a simple comfort food menu, including burgers, chili fries, nachos, chicken tenders and grab-and-go items, with live music, draft beers, cocktails and local brews.
Scenic Chair Lift Ride
Tickets www.mtbaldyresort.com/tickets
Enjoy a serene 20-minute ride on the Sugar Pine Chair Lift up to an elevation of 7,800 ft, where you’ll arrive at the resorts’ main facility area and the Top of the Notch Restaurant.
At the top you will also find hiking trail access when trail and mountain conditions permit.
Enjoy panoramic San Gabriel Mountain views and access to hiking routes near Devil’s Backbone and toward Mt. Baldy/Mt. San Antonio.
Lookout Lunch Package
Lookout Lunches are packaged with the scenic lift rides. Enjoy a scenic chairlift ride up to an elevation of 7,800 feet paired with a food voucher. Includes a $15 food voucher to use at the high-alpine Top of the Notch Restaurant. Lunch service generally starts at 11 a.m. with lift operations varying by season, typically Fridays through Sundays. Enjoy your lunch with an amazing view in the outdoor picnic area.
Desert View Zipline
Try a thrilling ride on the Mt. Baldy Desert View Zipline for ages 8 and older. One zipline ride and round trip chairlift tickets are $52.78 per person.
Camp Baldy
Escape the Santa Clarita Valley and spend two nights surrounded by the San Gabriel Mountains at Camp Baldy. The fully enclosed canvas tent cabins are tucked throughout Manzanita Flats on private raised wooden platforms, offering an off-grid mountain experience with incredible views of Mt. Baldy Summit and the high desert.
There are 11 tent cabins available that are comfortable, yet reflective of the wilderness setting.
All of the fully enclosed, canvas style tents have a locking door for security as well as windows that can be opened to let in the breeze.
Your stay includes scenic chairlift transportation, meals, non-alcoholic drinks, and access to select mountain activities when available.
The Camp Baldy two night stay experience costs $316.71 and offers a choice of a tent cabin with a Queen-size bed, two twin beds or two bunk beds (four twin beds). Price based on double occupancy, extra charge for additional occupants.
The two-night camping stay includes:
Two-night tent cabin stay: Friday and Saturday.
Round-trip Scenic Lift ticket for each guest for the length of stay.
Friday pre-fixed arrival dinner.
Saturday continental breakfast, boxed lunch and pre-fixed dinner.
Sunday continental breakfast.
Complimentary lemonade, iced tea, coffee and water during your stay.
Complimentary disc rental for Baldy Big Horn Disc Golf Course when available.
Complimentary Desert View Zip Line ride when available.
Portable lantern and fresh filled water jug.
Not included: Sleeping bag, blanket, or comforter, electricity, plumbing and shower facilities.
Big Horn Disc Golf Course
Located at Mt. Baldy Resort, this activity is a short 9-hole course spanning less than a mile, utilizing shared baskets up the mountain.
Features include extreme, rugged mountain terrain with steep slopes, loose rocks and unique alpine trees. No reservations are required. Discs are available for rent or free for tent cabin guests.
Upcoming Events at Mt. Baldy
Oct. 17
Moonlight Hike with Craic Haus a high-energy music trio that plays a unique genre they call “shamrockabilly,” a lively mix of traditional Irish music, swing and aggressive rockabilly.
Moonlight, mountain views and live music. Hike or ride to the Top of the Notch and experience Mt. Baldy after dark. Moonlight Hikes are completely self-guided, giving guests the freedom to experience the mountain at their own pace.
Moonlight Hikes usually occur on the weekend just prior to the Full Moon. This timing is chosen to take advantage of an early moonrise that provides ample illumination to the canyon.
