Mount San Antonio via Register Ridge

Hiked: 8/21/2026 (x7)
Distance: 7.8 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 10064' (San Antonio), 9538' (Harwood)
Elevation Gain: 4120'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 3.3
Round trip time: 5 hours 40 minutes
Recommended water: 120 oz.
Parking/Fees: Adventure Pass at Manker Flat trailhead
Difficulty: Strenuous

This was my seventh summit of Mount San Antonio (Baldy), and fifth different route. I had been up Register Ridge once in 2013, but stopped at Harwood, then looped back over Thunder. This time, I continued up to San Antonio from Harwood and descended the Ski Hut trail (aka the Baldy Bowl trail). The Register Ridge trail is unofficial and unmaintained, following the ridge directly below Harwood. It started on the right just around a bend from the register stand. The trail was in much better shape than I remembered. It looked maintained, but I had forgotten how steep and loose it was in places. When I intersected the Devils Backbone trail, I continued up the use trail to Harwood. Like my last time on Harwood, I found no register or marks. Even though it's a minor bump on the ridge, I appreciated the packed gravel look. I dropped off the north side of Harwood, then up the heavily braided backbone trail to Mount San Antonio.

Approaching Mount Harwood

There were a few people on the summit, but it wasn't as busy as a weekend. I rested for 15 minutes and enjoyed a store bought sandwich. I descended on the Ski Hut trail. It also seemed improved with more signs to help navigate the braiding near the stop. The official trail went down a boulder outcrop that seemed new to me. It's possible I always followed other use trails near the top. A steady flow of water ran in a creek below the Ski Hut. I felt a little better about my performance seeing a group of twenty-somethings crashed out and asleep on the tables there. The rest went quickly. It was a fine calf-burning trainer in nice weather.

Mount San Antonio

Bedford Peak

Hiked: 8/11/2026 (x4)
Distance: 7 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 3807'
Elevation Gain: 1807'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.4
Round trip time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on Maple Springs Road turnout
Difficulty: Moderate

This was my fourth ascent of Bedford Peak (LPS #34). It was a scaled down training hike I did after tweaking my lower back in the gym. I've noticed an increase in random minor injuries this year from my normal training regimen. Sucks getting old. Fortunately, it has been recovering quickly and not threatening plans for later in the month. The trailhead was at a dirt turnout on Maple Springs Road not far past the gate. I arrived at 7:45 AM and was surprised to see four other vehicles parked there on a random Tuesday. When I started, it was 72F with a high expected in the mid 80Fs. Not the best time to climb Bedford. I didn't take any breaks until I reached the summit. My last time on this trail was in 2019 and I only noticed a couple of changes. There used to be a cairn garden at one of the switchbacks that is now gone. The use trail from the road to Bedford is much better defined. There was no register and the benchmark has been gone for more than a decade. It still had a nice wooden sign. I had a nice view of San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, and Lake Elsinore. I wondered where all the people were from the other vehicles. On my way down, I passed one hiker who looked like he was going for Bedford, but he would have started after me. Half way down, I met two other hikers who had also started well after me. The people from the parked cars were never seen. Ghosts.

San Gorgonio and San Jacinto

Modjeska and Santiago

Almost down