May is the month that usually kicks off the SoCal hiking season, with high peaks becoming clear of ice and snow. Due to the drought, many of the trails under 10,000 ft have been bone dry since February. Needless to say, I was really excited when a cold storm blew through this week and dropped a nice coating of snow and rain over our mountains that were in desperate need of such precipitation.
See 10 photos and a hiking trip report for Mt. Baden Powell via Vincent Gap.
We took a hike to our favorite mountain this weekend, Mt. Baldy. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve made my way up to the summit via the handful of trails that guide one to the peak, but somehow, I never get tired of the views. I don’t think it’s possible, each time I see something different, and each season feels like a new world. This is my favorite time of year, as the ice and snow make for a festive holiday backdrop. As scenic as the surroundings can be, the cold keeps most people off of the trails, and fellow hikers are always friendly.
The first snow of the year is always a special time here in Southern California. It was even more meaningful this year considering the historic drought we’ve endured. Southern California is  known for year-round warm weather with plenty of sunshine, but very few know of the great snow hiking opportunities in the local mountains. My favorite has always been Mt. Baldy, and this is the mountain we decided to climb after a cold storm moved through on Friday and Saturday.