Mt. Baldy Run-To-The-Top (Labor Day)

Race - Sep 4, 2023

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Waterfall

The race starts at the tippy top of Mt. Baldy Rd. The first 1/2 mile is on paved roadway, then there's 3.5+ miles on dirt service road through a forested area and, finally, 3.1 miles on a ridgeline trail.

The awards ceremony is in front of the Notch, which is a full-service restaurant with great food and a bar.

Some narrow sections of trail, "catwalk," with steep drop-offs on both sides; and a short cliff-hugging section that has no room for error.

A past participant called this race, "A different kind of monster." Perhaps it's because of the altitude combined with very steep sections. The start line is at about 6,000' and the finish line is at 10,064'.

Most participants are able to run all the way to the Notch and a little past, which is about halfway. Then most runners start walking or run intermittently. The route levels a bit at the start of the Devil's Backbone, but it's short-lived.

From that point forward, it's very difficult to maintain a consistent run; however, there is a long stretch of relative flatness below Mt. Harwood. After that is the start of the final 650 feet of elevation gain (from the saddle just past Mt. Harwood). I think this is where the monster comes in.

This is the 58th annual Run-to-the-Top!