HARWOOD LODGE
(Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains)
A wood and stone masterpiece, the historic Harwood Lodge is located in the Angeles National Forest in the San Gabriel Mountains at the base of Mt Baldy (officially, Mt. San Antonio). At 6000’ elevation and 15 miles above Claremont, Harwood Lodge is within easy driving distance. It was built in 1930 to honor Aurelia S Harwood, the first woman president of the Sierra Club and an Angeles Chapter leader. The lodge stands today as a place to get away from the city and enjoy the solitude of clear mountain air and blue skies. For more information, visit the Harwood Lodge website.
KELLER PEAK SKI HUT
(ArrowBear in the San Bernardino Mountains)
This warm and welcoming ski hut was built in 1938 by the Ski Mountaineers. Benefiting from its recent face-lift by a dedicated group of hard-working and generous volunteers, Keller is more than ready for your visit. The hut is managed for the use of all Sierra Club members and guests by the Keller Hut Committee and is staffed by qualified overseers. The cozy rustic hut is located at an elevation of 6800’ on Hwy 18 between Running Springs and Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains, across from Snow Valley Ski Area. Winter offers downhill and cross-country skiing; spring through fall offer many hiking trails to explore and enjoy. For more information, visit the Keller Peak Ski Hut website.
SAN ANTONIO SKI HUT
(Mt. Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains)
Anyone who hikes the Baldy Bowl route to the summt of Mt. Baldy knows this famous green cabin nestled by the creek below the bowl. Built by the Ski Mountaineers in 1937, the San Antonio (Baldy) Ski Hut has been a rest stop ever since - as well as a destination all times of the year. Even though the hut burned shortly after it was built, it was rebuilt a year later, setting the trend of continuous maintenance and vigilance by the San Antonio Ski Hut Committee. At 8200’ elevation, it is reached by a steep 3 mile, 2200’ gain hike. The trailhead begins 1 mi beyond the locked gate of San Antonio Falls Rd, 80 yds beyond the point where you can look down over your right shoulder and see Harwood Lodge and Manker Flat Campground. The hut has a fully equipped kitchen of utensils, dishes & cookware. Water from a spring is piped directly through the kitchen, running 24 hrs a day. Heat and cooking are provided by wood-burning stoves. The two-story hut provides sleeping space for 20 people. For more information, visit the San Antonio Ski Hut website.
[Keller Hut in February, ©James Carden, all rights reserved]