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Mt Baldy Ski Resort
Rating Details »
Categories: Ski Resorts, Lounges, American (Traditional) [Edit]
6777 Mt Baldy RdMt Baldy, CA 91759
(909) 981-3344
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sat, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- Yes
19 reviews for Mt Baldy Ski Resort
I'm not that experienced when it comes with Snowboarding. I've been about 4 or 5 times so far. I actually bought my own gear.. so maybe I'd start going more.
But anyways. The bf and I started the season by going to Mt. High. Let me tell you, I didn't enjoy it one bit. It was horribly busy that day, so we had to park at the 2nd parking lot. Then the lines were like 30 minutes long to just buy our lift tickets. THEN waited for a bus to take us up to the West (?? I think), where the bunny slopes and such are. And the snow was crap. In general, I hated that day. We left after 2 hours.
The next time we went snowboarding, our friend suggested Mt. Baldy because he'd been there as a kid, and he remembered loving it. The thing about going to Baldy is that you have to choose the right day, with the right conditions. NEVER go up DURING a storm. Never never never. It's icy, snowing, and has black ice! The drive up the mountain is bad enough without worrying about that stuff. We went a few days after a rain storm, so we knew there would be a fresh coat of powder still.
The drive wasn't bad. We live in Fullerton. It took us only about 20 minutes to to get off the freeway, and another 20 to go through the town and up the mountain. We bought tickets and got up to the runs in no time! Their bunny slope is reaaallyy fun, and it was pretty fun for me to go down, despite being a beginner. The bf and his friend went down a bunch of other runs, including the black diamond one (I'm not sure of the name.. but they have awesome names for each run. Like the Rollercoaster!).
Anyways. We stayed for most of the day. Starting out at about 9 or 10, and leaving at 3. Traffic wasn't even bad going home either! Got home in about 45 (: MUCH better drive than going to Mt. High. We're hoping to go to Mt. Baldy another two times or so before the season is over. It's supposed to rain this week! haha.
Oh and fyi, at Skidazzle, you can buy the season pass (I think.. or maybe a day pass) for Baldy for about $10. We have a season pass this year, but next year we'll be picking some up at Skidazzle!
I know this review was sort of all over the place, but if you like snowboarding (or skiing!), you should check this place out. Just make sure to be safe in choosing what day to go, depending on how the conditions are! (:
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
Pros:
- You can find some damn good deals. (There is a pack around that gets you 6 tickets for like 60 bucks)
- Not terribly far, the road can get windy and icey but it's still pretty close.
- I've never seen it packed.
- Deceivingly big. It seems sorta small when you first get there, but there are a lot of nooks and smaller trails everywhere to explore, especially for the more advanced riders.
- Snow can be good after a storm, lots of off-piste terrain to explore for the adventurous.
- The terrain is good! That is if it's open. Very little beginner territory though. The moderate stuff is good and the expert stuff is gnarly. Two mountains are both very different and diverse.
- Staff seems pretty chill.
Cons:
- The chairlifts are terrible rickety slow things. Be prepared to spend some quality time with you lift buddy and a flask. They also empty out in somewhat sketchy areas for beginners, you need to navigate small turns and slopes. Not a good area to lean to get off a lift.
- Years earlier they had terrible service but it seems to have gotten better. I remember showing up at 11:30am and the big lifts weren't even running yet.
- Icey terrain, they don't do much grooming besides the major trails. I've had several icey encounters throughout the park.
- The park is at the mercy of mother nature, no snow then no trails are open. Snow making is minimal and doesn't cover their better terrain.
- Did I mention the terrible chair lifts?
- Some weird ticket rules, like having to make a reservation for season passes and odd fees thrown in for processing.
- Full Price admission is expensive.
- Rocks. Randomly rocks pop up through the snow and can scratch your beautiful board.
All in all it's a good place if you can score a ticket deal.
Free Season Passes Available To Ski Mt Baldy
This is not so much a review as information about what is happening right now at Mt Baldy.
The Chamber of Commerce has acquired a quantity of season passes to ski Mt Baldy and we are giving them away for FREE to encourage skiers and snowboarders to the mountain.
There are a few restrictions and an activation fee of 49.95 to cover admin costs but that's it.
We do not know when the Ski Area will withdraw the offer but we hope some of you will be able to take advantage.
For more information please visit
http://www.mtbaldycham...
Rgds
Keith Hunt
President
Mt Baldy Chamber of Commerce
We should've known.. *shaking head*
Despite the severe storm forecasts, my friend and I decided to cruise up to Mt Baldy today to carve up some of the fresh powder. We didn't think it would be that bad.. After all, this is California, and the Weather Channel is wrong 99% of the time anyway.
We got to Baldy around 9am after battling icy curve after icy curve. I'm sure I annoyed the heck out of my friend who had to put up with my sudden screams and curses. I was scared! We were slipping and sliding, and the road was just BAD, with the ice slick twists and turns! *screech*
Once we finally reached the resort, I breathed a sigh of relief and swore to my friend that I would never scream like that again - at least not while he's trying to concentrate and maneuver the difficult conditions...
Surprisingly, the lot was quite full. It was freezing and snowing quite heavily, but no matter. There was an endless stretch of pristine white powder surrounding us, and who wouldn't want to carve that up?
We quickly donned our gear and marched over to the ticket booth. About forty people were milling about doing nothing. We quickly found out that the resort staff were busy digging out the lifts from the overnight snowfall. "We'll open soon," the ticket lady promised.
I killed time by making a snowman. Actually, I didn't make a snowman. I just got around to packing together the soft fresh powder into a large hard ball. So yeah, I made a third of a snowman.
Friend wanted to go back to the car for a bit to wait there (it was freezing out), so we went back. That's when we heard from other employees that, in fact, Mt Baldy would not be opening today. What the hell? What did we just waste 30 minutes for?
We stood by the car grumbling.. when an employee comes up to us and asks, "Did you guys lose a board bag?"
What? Huh?
Oh my gosh! The wind gusts were so strong, the board bag flew down the mountain! But no worries. The kind employee had already called some other staffers to go and fetch it out of the snow for us. Sweet! Going above and beyond is always cool!
We were still a bit peeved that we wouldn't get to board, and so were a lot of other people. "Let's just go to Mt High," a lot of them decided. Thank goodness we didn't immediately follow these people because...
Mt Baldy gave out free vouchers for a return visit! Sweet!! It was awesome of them to remember to keep the customers happy!
The road down from Mt Baldy and back to civilization should only have taken 15 minutes or so, but the road conditions had deteriorated even more. Now, trying to go downhill on a slick road was nearly impossible. We geared up the snow chains (despite the fact that friend's car had AWD and snow tires... conditions were THAT bad) and slowly slowly crawled down the mountain. Anyone who decides to drive here, please carry emergency chains JUST IN CASE! I swear, you will DIE if you aren't prepared for such conditions! The roads are all twisty curvy slick, and it's just really really scary. And drive slowly! We saw many cars that had either gotten stuck or slightly spun out because they weren't being super watchful!
Anyways, I'll be back in a few weeks to use my free pass. And that's a promise!
People thought this was:
- Useful (6)
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- Cool (6)
If I can give 1 star maybe I would, but this place was supposed to be the escape after being to Mt High and Big Bear for my birthday, all places were closed due to strong winds. As we pulled up at Mt Baldy, we're even shocked to see there's not even any snow on January in Mt Baldy, could you believe that? So, it was even shocker to see great reviews about this place on Yelp. Was I there during the bad time or what? I believe by January there should be snow, no?!
Looking at the terrain, it even scares me, because there's no snow, so you could see pretty clear, let's say when you get lost, you could go down the cliff and to the street. This park is so darn small, it's actually scaring me out! I already gave Mt High a star, if I can give this half of a star, I would. There should be a sign before heading up to the mountain if the park is closed completely so people don't waste time... tsk tsk tsk!
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Let me preface this review by saying: I am NOT a skier. I came here for the view. A friend of ours, a native Angeleno, brought us here to experience a little nature and scenic views. From Claremont, it takes about an hour on the 210, and then up a mountain road to get here. It costs $5 to park and for $18 (weekend rate) you can take a ride on the ski lift for the "scenic tour" of the mountain resort. We came on a Saturday and there were tons of people out sledding on the hills heading up the mountain, and lots of skiers and snowboarders on Mt. Baldy.
I'm a city kid, and I've never been up this high on a mountain or on a ski lift. It's quite the experience. Once you're on the lift you get an aerial view of all the snow bunnies sliding down the slopes. There's a "lodge" at the top of the mountain that has a cafeteria and bar & grill where you can grab a hot chocolate or a cold brewski if you're so inclined. The views are amazing at the top! You can see well into the San Gabriel Valley. It's really a great weekend trip to get out of the city and be reminded of the awesome nature that is just outside LA. I would just recommend some careful driving, since it seems that it can get quite icy and slick on colder days. Also, make sure to bring a few layers, because it gets cold once you get to the top.
Went day after Christmas, woke up late got there late, had to crawl to the top with all the other snow adventures 2 hrs to get to the resort
my advice A) check the snow report and B) bring snow chains or a 4x4.
I was about to give up, but right before the top most of those that thought that chains weren't needed started to get in trouble luckily I threw mine into 4 wheel drive and continued on up found parking and was able to enjoy 1 hr of snow for my kid... buzz kill was $5 for parking, (didn't bring my board since I was late) anyway so adult holiday prices $20, kids $10 and $15 for tubing per person....
when they mean closed at 430pm take it serious (you get kicked out of the lodge and try to leave early ...when that wind changes direction.......burrrr instant icicle so dress extra warm cause you stand in a long line to get on the chairs to get back down.
only plus.... maybe... it is closer and cheaper (comparatively speaking) seems like an easy place to start teaching my kid to snowboard.
think twice about going into the Yacht club inside the lodge at the top: Pitcher of beer $18 and a hand full... yes a hand full of nachos with cold government cheese is $8 bucks.... your better off eating the lodge food .... you wont find many snobby people most of the people are just laid back... with that though the workers are the same way kinda just hanging out...
sudden changes of plan can ruin a day since i promised to do my mom a favor I'm stucked with it and have to cancel my lunch plans... So moving on.... suddenly i found my self driving up to Mt. Baldy in these days that most of the people i know are either a sleep or they'd rather sit on their couch i'm itching to go hiking... but sadly i'm just wearing flip flops...sure i got my running shoes and some other stuffs in my trunk but i don't know the trails here still i drove up... and then i realized i can only drive for about 80 miles since i forgot to fill up my tank and its a bit too late since i'm half way there.. the drive is so fast to go to the lodging area maybe it only too me around 20 minutes from 210 freeway...since i'm not really planning to stay long i didn't pay for the pass... hehehe... i was just watching out to avoid parking ticket... i made a couple of stops... first half way past the tunnels... i just went out of my car and played around with my camera.... then the next one i stopped beside this stream... filled with rocks and water flowing trough... i don't know what happend but i just felt like a child... so i took off my slippers put it in back pack hel my camera and i started jumping from one stone to another not minding about getting wet but still cautious enough not to get my camera wet... i was just shooting like crazy....these are the simple things that i can totally enjoy alone.. its like "into the wild"... i feel like blasting the sound track for that movie too... the water is cooold.. since its from the melting ice.... and i've spotted some wild animals too...
the view:http://www.yelp.com/bi...
and then this: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
and this: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
how can you refuse this too? http://www.yelp.com/bi...
and i tried chasing this: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
i was barefoot skipping through the small boulders: http://www.yelp.com/bi...
and balanced my way through.. http://www.yelp.com/bi...
it was short lived.. i stayed maybe for less than an hour....but its all good... i'll be back pretty soon armed with a map for the trails and i'll start freaking early!
didn't make it to go to a french restaurant but i managed to grab a frech dip afterwards..
P.S. don't do this while driving its dangerous...http://www.yelp.com/bi...
then after all that i need some sweets... http://static.px.yelp....
People thought this was:
- Useful (15)
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- Cool (14)
This place is kinda like a hidden treasure. Ive been up here mainly for downhill mountain biking. There are some pretty gnarly trails set up by a couple local pros in the area. If your into downhill this is pretty much your only choice for southern California. The runs are intermediate and up, and full suspension is a must if you plan on having some kind of enjoyment.
With the new snow I'm willing to try out boarding up there again, last year i went up for the first time in a 0 degree windchill, got to the top half frozen and almost lost my board due to the 60+ winds, jumped into the lodge and warmed up and took the lift back down! this was because there wasn't enough snow down to the bottom of the run!
The people there are very friendly seem like they like the low key factor of the resort. I wish that lift moved a little faster though... 15 minutes to the top??
This is a review for the numerous snow areas where you can play w/the kids, or the kid in you. Stop by the visitor information lodge and ask, "Where's a good place for kids' activities?" and they'll point you a few miles up the road.
It's closeby. From Irvine, not even 57 miles. Come early on a Saturday morning, have a couple snowball fights, romp around and enjoy the feeling of your butt freezing into an assicle.
You'd be advised to bring your own ghetto snowboard, because I don't see anyone sliding down aluminum trash can lids like we used to. I guess the status quo has ameliorated.
The only downside is that there isn't much to eat up here. I saw people w/their own paper plates busting out home food. It's all good.
For a quick trip to enjoy the snow, it's cool.
People thought this was:
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You're done with your morning surf session and ready to move on to the next activity. Why not go skiing? Located just over an hour's drive from Los Angeles, Mount Baldy boasts the most convenient slopes in the area. But get ready for an experience. From the crushed beer cans marking a path from the parking lot to the main lift, you know you're in for a wild ride. This is not a place for the resort-loving, fussy skier. You won't see people strolling around in meticulously coordinated Ralph Lauren ski outfits here or sipping Godiva hot cocoa in front of the lodge's fireplace.
The "resort" area is a small structure where you can rent equipment (downhill skis and snowboards), relieve yourself in one of two bathrooms (the women's looked as though it hadn't been used in years, or cleaned, and the counters were slippery when wet), or feast on greasy burgers at the restaurant (no frills and musty). My sister and I refer to this place as "Dude Baldy" simply because we ran into no other girls while we skied there. The guys here are serious about skiing--quite hardcore and tough looking, though everyone was nice.
I learned to ski here. The instructor simply stood at the bottom of a hill and said "now, come this way." I glided over and promptly fell down near his feet (he didn't help me up or pity me). After a few more tries though I got the hang of things enough for several enjoyable runs on the easier slopes. While convenient, don't expect to be coddled here or eased into skiing if you're new. The weather was fine until there was a sudden white out--which I hear happens frequently up there.
Because commercial development at Dude Baldy is minimal, the landscape feels wild and far removed from city life. This is what I appreciate about the place the most. The prettiest package is the natural landscape, not the built environment.
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Snowboarding without the crowds. The drive up the mountain are two lanes, one up and one down. The first ski lift up to the mountain is kinda long and can be a bit scary (especially when the wind starts blowing and the chair starts to sway). The trails are good. Just be sure to look at the signs. Took a wrong turn once and ended up on an expert trail. Not fun. Because I'm no expert and it took me forever to get down to the base. The food is definitely cafeteria food. So if you're able to bring your own snacks. Staff is really friendly and helpful.
This is a review for the snow areas, not the ski resort.
I've never seen snow before, so when I remembered that I forgot that Mt. Baldy existed, I decided that a trip just HAD to happen. So, we trekked out here, up the carpool lane, and somehow ended up on the 60 East. Not being familiar with much of anything outside of the OC and LA, we drove all the way to Riverside before we realized we were completely lost. So, the 1 hour drive took just about 2 and a half hours. Dumb.
But once there, we paid our $5 to park, and I got to see snow! And play in it! And I even got a snowball thrown at my face. We made a snowman. And there was a beer bottle on the ground, so he became an alcoholic snowman (the best kind).
Next time, we decided we're bringing sleds, or at least garbage can lids, because we sure as hell weren't buying them from the creeper in the snack shack for $25.
Real friendly place, friendly people, and if you hit it up on a weekday, it's not very busy at all.
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- Useful (4)
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- Cool (3)
There is a classic scene in The Real Housewives of Atlanta where the silicone'd botoxed kept woman Kim (who when asked to spell cat, recites "k-a-t". I nearly inhaled my own brain from laughing at that point) text messages her former friend NeNe who herself rose to the ranks of wealth and fame from the humble position of stripper because she heard Nene sang a song about her which lyrics included "I say I'm 29 but I'm really 89". In Kim's text she tells Nene that she is a "low budget bitch".
Well, Mt. Baldy is a low budget bitch too. The ski lifts have broken seats and look like the original wood from 1967 is still being used. The most dangerous part of skiing here is probably riding the lifts. And no, I ain't kidding. Everything about this place screams mom and pop ski operation but it's still freaking awesome. Why? It's close and it's pretty much empty and it's cheap as hell. Instead of having to hear your friends talk about how much they love Costco for 6 to 7 hours, you only have to hear about the good ass deals they got (on a wheelbarrow for Pete's sake!!!) for like 2 maybe 3 hours. The telling will still involve the dramatic moment when they went to Home Depot and saw the exact same wheelbarrow for like $10 more than at Costco and all the many ways they've used the wheelbarrow and how it changed their life and saved the world but in an hour or two the skiing will start and the Costco stories will end mercifully.
It's a good time for all concerned. Just don't sit with a fat person on the ski lift. Demand your own chair if need be. Safety first.
kim and nene: http://cache.daylife.c...
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Ahhh dear Mt Baldy... your staff is really not that good...from the ticketers (who remained on the phone, no matter that there was a line 30 people long waiting to get ski lift tickets)
AND IT SUCKS THAT YOU PAY THE SAME AMOUNT EVEN IF YOU BRING YOUR OWN GEAR
THAT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.
IDIOTS.
I'll go to Big Bear next time.
You're done.
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Ahh... Mount Baldy... I absolutely love this place. I have so many good memories from this place, that it almost brings a tear to my eye as I type this. You may ask why I give it only three stars. Well, there's a few reasons why.
First off, the management always seems to have a run-in with any frequenter of the resort. I'm guessing that the same people still run this place as those who ran it about 6-7 years ago, which whas the last time that I was here. I'm also sure that nothing has changed at the resort during those years, or during the last 30-40 years for that matter.
The lifts are ancient and slow as any I've ever ridden anywhere. Also, the infrastructure is all run down there. The lodge and buildings are falling apart.
Too many times, I've ended up loading myself on a chairlift because there was no one around. Seriously. Strange.
They claim to have 2200 vertical feet, but the bottom 1000 feet have only been skiable twice during my many, many visits. The mountain faces west instead of north, so the snow melts away faster. The bottom has a lower elevation, which has been hit hard by global warming. When the place opened in the '60s, you could ski all the way to the bottom on most years. Not anymore. You nearly constantly must download the bottom chairlift in order to get back to your car.
It's not all management's fault. Because of it's location, it has very little access to large amounts of water, and therefore no ability to make decent quantities of snow.
Between the western aspect and the lack of snowmaking, they can have some terribly thin conditions with major portions of the mountain unskiable. When the snow conditions are bad here, they are, without any exaggeration, the worst anywhere in the Western U.S. Some years, they're not even able to open up at all.
However, the place has some amazing redeeming qualities that save it from getting anything less then three stars.
First off, there's the terrain. It's far better then any other local resort if you're a good skier. (If you generally stick to groomed ski runs, then you probably want to head elsewhere.) There's awesome tree skiing that you can't get at any other Los Angeles area resort (except for Mt. Waterman or Krakta/Snowcrest resorts, both of whom's status are questionable).
They have the only open boundary policy in the area, and have some great backcountry to go along with it. No other resort in the area can come close to what Baldy can offer with regards to backcountry access.
There's also a great, mellow vibe without any pretense that you don't get at Mt. High or at any of the Big Bear resorts. While you don't have pretty much any of the niceties that you get at the other resorts, you instead get a true ski culture there. No other local resort has that. (Except for maybe Waterman, if it is still operational.)
The resort is very well set up to create a great corn cycle going for spring conditions throughout most of the ski season since the upper elevations are higher then other resorts and the aspect faces west. Often times, the other resorts will have crappy, icy conditions, while Baldy has some beautifully creamy spring corn conditions that make me happy in the pants just to think about.
All of this boils down to the following statement: When the snow conditions are good, there is absolutely no better place to be in the local area. However, if you're not a very good skier, or you need a little bit of pampering, then you'd better stay the hell away.
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went to baldy this past weekend. we had a blast. the ride is short from the foothills to the top of the mountain in comparison to the "other" amusement resorts. My best advice is to come prepared. with about 3 feet of new Pow this weekend SNOW CHAINS ARE A MUST. do not come without them or you will be forced to fork over about $100 for some tire cables that are half way decent and more importantly it iwll kill time away from your boarding/skiing experience.
it can become a bit of a hassle but its well worth it. upon our arrival exhausted/yet excited we'd previously purchased a snow jam pass that gave us a free ski lift voucher. of course they would not honoring it but instead gave us half off.. ($32 each). you will then take an ancient chair lift (weather you have equipment or not) up to the lodge/ski rental area. like other have mentioned the ride is easily 15 minutes but the sites are gorgeous! take some pics, smoke a cig or just relax and take it all in.
i had to get my board adjusted and the guys (gary and jared) are really cool up at the rental area. UNLIKE THE RUDE UPPITY SNOBS DOWN AT THE TICKET BOOTH (AVOID THE MGR JANE AT ALL COSTS).
the rental guys were so cool that they realized that i had been waiting for about 20 mins and Gary said "hey give him one of our new rental boards so that he can go out and have some fun." true indeed i was given one of there nicely equipped boards.
the trails are long, steep and powdery which all tend to end in one area so theres a quick transition from one trail to another. the best part of mt baldy is not only is scenic landscape but it is far from crowded. there was absolutely NO TRAFFIC when coming down the hill and before you know it you're right near the 210 in no time. love it.
cons of the mt baldy are the snow conditions change very rapidly. this is not a mountain high resort where you are good with a few thermals and t's. bring your gear and layer. taking the lift back down after you are beat from boarding and carrying your gear on the lift in 20 degree snow where its almost completly dark is definately an adventure and is rather scary. but its well worth the trip. skip snow summit if you are intermediate/advanced and save time by hitting mt baldy.
Mt. Baldy is a fantastic place
This friend of mine decides at the last minute, hey lat's go to Mt. Baldy...and of course I forgot what it's like to travel up there this time of the year.
Got by the CHP check point just before they set it up...wow..and then onwards to Mt. Baldy.
Came across our first skid and of course no matter where you turn or how you brake, you're just along for the ride....but, we managed to come out of it OK.
Then this big snow plow comes by and tosses all this crappy slush into my windshiels.. Hmmmm...I thought that those plows were supposed to shoot that stuff to the right side of the road.
Mt. Baldy Village was absolutely gorgous and we even drove on some of the baron roads where people live and up GMR Glendora Mountain Road....(are we nuts....eeerrr aaaaah....maybe a little)
When we reach the bottom of the road to the ski lifts...that was it....it was chains or git outta there.
We had a good time in the snow and left... This is always an amazing place with very good people up here.
When you are tired of the 14 year old kids on Mt. High being idiots on their snowboards but you still want to stay close, go to Mt Baldy. Call in sick or take the afternoon off and get in a half day. I went up there a couple times after finals and that was a great way to spend an afternoon. Be sure to stop by the Mt Baldy lodge for some beer and burgers when you are done too...
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