In addition to its scientific name, it is known by a variety of popular phrases. Whereas it is still commonly known as Pedilanthus tithymaloides, the Pedilanthus genus has been combined with the Euphorbia genus, giving it the title ‘Euphorbia tithymaloides.’ĭoes The Devils Backbone Plant Have Any Other Names?

The plant is indigenous to North and Central America’s subtropical climates. Trailhead coordinates: 34.266172, -117.62684 (34° 15′ 58.21″N 117° 37′ 36.The Devils Backbone plant, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, is distinguished by its zig zag stems. Trailhead address: Mount Baldy Road & Falls Road, Angeles National Forest, Mount Baldy, CA 91759 Park along Mount Baldy Road, display an adventure pass, and begin hiking up Falls Road. Continue 7 miles up Mount Baldy Road through Mount Baldy Village (where there is a visitor center) and follow the road for another 4.4 miles up the mountain past Manker Flats Campground to the bottom of Falls Road on the left. Drive 1.7 miles and turn right onto Mount Baldy Road (at a traffic light). Turn left at the light at the end of the ramp on to Baseline Road. To get to the trailhead: Take the 210 east to Baseline Road (exit 52). Note: Devil’s Backbone Trail and Mount Baldy can be extremely dangerous in winter conditions. The road passes in front of a large ski lodge and wraps down the mountain to return to San Antonio Canyon. Take the dirt road that passes to the left of a non-operational ski lift down to Baldy Notch. Cross the spine of to steep ridge to the top of the ski resort. From the saddle, follow the trail along the south side of Harwood and on to the Devil’s Backbone. Descend 0.7 miles to the saddle between Baldy and Mount Harwood. Devil’s Backbone Trail leaving from the summitĭescending from the summit via Devil’s Backbone Trail:Ī post on the summit of Mount Baldy marks the start of the eastbound Devil’s Backbone Trail. If you are hiking the loop, it is recommended to head up the Baldy Bowl side of the mountain and down the Devil’s Backbone. Note that if you parked your car by the ski lifts, you will have to walk another quarter mile up the road from the bottom of the trail to get back to your vehicle. This trail descends a ridge to Baldly Bowl where you will cross a green building, the Sierra Club Ski Hut, before continuing down the canyon past San Antonio Falls. To hike this scenic loop, take the path heading directly south from the summit. You may head back the way you came, or return to Manker Flats via the Baldy Bowl – Ski Hut Trail. Lift tickets may be booked in advanced.Įnjoy 360-degree views at the summit. The Mount Baldy Ski Lift runs seven days a week and costs $25 round trip for adults, $20 for youths age 13 to 17, $15 for children under 12 (must be at least 40″ tall), and $15 for seniors over 65 (prices as of 2018). The non-loop options up to Baldy Notch are explained in more detail in the Manker Flats to Baldy Notch report. By hiking 2.3 miles from the parking lot at the base of the ski lift to Baldy Notch.By hiking 3.5 mile up a dirt road from Manker Flats to Baldy Notch.By riding the Mount Baldy ski lift up 1,500 feet in elevation to Baldy Notch.From the summit of Mount Baldy after hiking 4.5 miles up Baldy Bowl Trail as part of the 11.3-mile Mount Baldy Loop.Devil’s Backbone Trail is 3.3-miles long with 2,350 feet of elevation gain, and can be reached several ways: The spine-tingling hike along a tantalizing spine starts from Baldy Notch and ends at Mount Baldy, the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountain. Devil’s Backbone Trail offers spectacular views from an impressive ridge-top trail.

Devil backbone