This race is run every year on Labor Day (Sept 1). It starts in the parking lot next to a ski lift at 6,200 ft and when you are done … MORE
This race is run every year on Labor Day (Sept 1). It starts in the parking lot next to a ski lift at 6,200 ft and when you are done you are at 10,064 on the tallest point in the San Gabriel mountains. The distance to the top of Mt Baldy (officially Mt San Antonio but called Baldy because it is above the tree line) is about 7 miles.
When you start you are surrounded by mountains and you can just feel this is going to be a wonderful experience. The first half of the race is on a wide fire road with a steady incline. In the first mile you will pass a beautiful waterfall. At mile 3.5 you come to the Notch a nice little restaurant and where the ski lift drops off spectators.
The second half of the race is steeper and single track. The Devil’s Backbone is where the trail clings to the side of the mountain with a scary drop on one side. The final mile is pretty rocky and technical in places but the last 100 ft are great. You hit the finish line and after catching your breath which takes longer than usual you have a chance to look around with a 360 panoramic view. To get this view you have to climb the mountain, there is no road access. After that you walk or jog back to the Notch and catch the ski lift down.
This is an old established race and they know how to do it right. There are 3 aid stations along the course and be sure and drink more than usual because altitude dries you out (I found this out the hard way). All the supplies at the finish line have to be hand carried up and down so don’t expect anything spectacular other than the experience.
Please login to reply to this review.
An amazing finish line
This race is run every year on Labor Day (Sept 1). It starts in the parking lot next to a ski lift at 6,200 ft and when you are done … MORE
This race is run every year on Labor Day (Sept 1). It starts in the parking lot next to a ski lift at 6,200 ft and when you are done you are at 10,064 on the tallest point in the San Gabriel mountains. The distance to the top of Mt Baldy (officially Mt San Antonio but called Baldy because it is above the tree line) is about 7 miles.
When you start you are surrounded by mountains and you can just feel this is going to be a wonderful experience. The first half of the race is on a wide fire road with a steady incline. In the first mile you will pass a beautiful waterfall. At mile 3.5 you come to the Notch a nice little restaurant and where the ski lift drops off spectators.
The second half of the race is steeper and single track. The Devil’s Backbone is where the trail clings to the side of the mountain with a scary drop on one side. The final mile is pretty rocky and technical in places but the last 100 ft are great. You hit the finish line and after catching your breath which takes longer than usual you have a chance to look around with a 360 panoramic view. To get this view you have to climb the mountain, there is no road access. After that you walk or jog back to the Notch and catch the ski lift down.
This is an old established race and they know how to do it right. There are 3 aid stations along the course and be sure and drink more than usual because altitude dries you out (I found this out the hard way). All the supplies at the finish line have to be hand carried up and down so don’t expect anything spectacular other than the experience.