This is the second year in a row that I have led this hike on Oktoberfest. I have done it from Baldy Village both years, making about 6,000 feet of gain in 7 miles.
We met at 7:00AM at the Mount Baldy carpool point. There were 12 of us. This is the strongest group ever, as I have also led or assisted on this hike two other times with another section. Usually people sign out because the pace is too slow. It has always been led at the same pace. We just had an extra strong group this time. The five guys who signed out waited on top for us as they said they would and came with us on the way down.
After a leisurely lunch, Frank Goodykoontz led us down his "greased lighting" route directly from the summit off into Baldy Bowl to the Ski Hut. This way we got back much earlier for Oktoberfest. This route involves a short car shuttle from the village to Manker Flats.
Thank you Frank for getting us back to Oktoberfest nice and early.
