As someone who grew up on the east coast and midwest, I do not miss long, gray winters. However living in Los Angeles, you can have winter on demand.
Just about an hour east of Downtown LA is the Mt. Baldy recreation area.(6700 Mt Baldy Road) Very simple directions: Head east on the 210 to Claremont/Upland. Exit either on Baseline or Mountain Avenue and head north to the mountains. Both roads feed into Mt. Baldy Road. When you pass Mt Baldy Village, you have about 3 more miles of incline till you are where the snow really collects. This is where lots of people park to go sledding.
Pack a picnic or bring BBQ stuff. When I was there over President's Day, many of the park barbeque pits were going. It was really fun, like a summer picnic in the park-except everyone is in snow gear. Don't feel like cooking? The Mt Baldy Lodge in Mt Baldy Village is a moderately-priced, family style restaurant with the usual burger-chili-salads type offerings. A game of pool is $1.00.
You need to purchase a recreation day pass-$5.00 per vehicle. If you can't find a station or ranger, they will find you and leave a ticket and envelope on your car to send your $5.00 in when you get home.
At the end of Mt Baldy Road is the parking lot for the ski lift to Mt Baldy Ski Resort.They have skiing, snowboarding and a tubing park...all for various fees. Check out the website for specifics. I have been up to the ski/tubing area and found it easy to get around and everything priced at the going rates. What you don't have are the crushing crowds you find at Mt. High and Snow Summit. (of course going early in the day really helps)
But if you just want a change of scene, to play around in the , lunch, sled some more and come home for dinner, Mt Baldy cannot be beat. With a big storm coming Friday, this weekend could be a great time to go!
BE SURE TO FUEL UP before you go as there are NO gas stations on the mountain. And check the website to see if chains are required the day you plan to go.
http://reservations.mtbaldy.com/mtbaldy/002/index.php
(909) 982-0800
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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