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Hiking Mt Baden-Powell

September 15, 2014 By Jeff Hester 19 Comments

Hiking Mt Baden-Powell

The sky was a deep, cloudless blue. The only sounds came from the occasional wind through the sparse trees and the crunching of my boots on the trail. I had just climbed nearly 3,000 vertical feet to the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell (9,406′) — one of the highest mountains in the San Gabriel mountains. The stunning 360° views made those 40 switchbacks worth climbing.

Trail Details
Summit: 9,406′
Distance: 8.7 miles total
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,900 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: June-October
Download the GPX
Mt. Baden-Powell is named for Lord Baden-Powell, the British officer who started Boy Scouts in 1907. This trail follows the Pacific Crest Trail from Vincent Gap near Wrightwood nearly all the way to the summit. Hiking this out-and-back trail not only provides a great challenge and helps you build strength and stamina for bigger hikes, but also beautiful scenery and stunning mountain and desert views.

Getting to the Vincent Gap Trailhead

Vincent Gap is a popular trailhead a few miles outside of Wrightwood on Highway 2. There is plenty of parking and there are pit toilets. The Vincent Gap is on the backside of the mountains from the LA basin, so it takes some time to get there, but it’s worth it. Get your driving directions.

Vincent Gap to Mt. Baden-Powell Trail

The trail begins at the west end of the parking lot, and immediately begins a relentless ascent up the north ridge to the summit. You are actually hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail — the 2,600 mile trail from Mexico to Canada.

The Trailhead
The Trailhead
Pacific Crest Trail marker
Pacific Crest Trail marker
Up the PCT Towards Mt Baden-Powell
View from Vincent Gap
View from Vincent Gap

The trail follows a well-engineered series of switchbacks through shaded forest. And just at the moment when you think “Wow, I could use a breather,” this bench appears.

Taking a Breather

As you continue climbing the forty switchbacks, you’ll see a spur trail that leads 200 yards east to the dribbling pipe known as Lamel Spring.

Lamel Springs Junction

Hiking this trail you can watch the climate zone change as you gain elevation. The thick forest thins out, and closer to the summit are replaced by weathered and twisted limber pines.

Joan Head up the PCT
Typical Switchbacks on Baden-Powell
The Views North Extend Further
Pines Twisted and Gnarled

When you reach this ridge line, you’re almost to the summit. The trail here skirts the top of the ridge, with steep slopes in both directions. When covered with ice and snow, this can be particularly treacherous, as you can imagine.

Trail skirts the ridge
Trail skirts the ridge
Looking south-east from the ridge
Looking south-east from the ridge
Here the trail splits with the PCT to the summit
Here the trail splits with the PCT to the summit

On the far end of the ridge, but before the final climb to the summit you’ll see the gnarled and twisted roots of the Wally Waldron tree. This 1,500 year old limber pine is said to be the oldest in the San Gabriel mountains, and named for a noted Boy Scout leader and volunteer.

Gnarly roots
Gnarly roots
The Wally Waldron Tree
The Wally Waldron Tree

One last push and the rounded summit of Mt. Baden-Powell comes into view. When you see the monument, you have arrived.

The monument comes into view
The monument comes into view
The Boy Scout monument
The Boy Scout monument
See the glider?
See the glider?
Summit panorama
Summit panorama
Tiny flowers
Tiny flowers
A closer look
A closer look

There summit itself is quite exposed, but there are a few clusters of trees where you’ll find shade and a great spot for a lunch break. When you’ve had your fill of the views, retrace your steps to Vincent Gap.

Hiking Mt Baden-Powell is a challenging hike, a great workout with rewarding views. Hike this!

Mt. Baden-Powell Trail Map

PRO TIP: I track all my hikes using GaiaGPS. It’s the best solution for staying on the right trail, it works even when you don’t have cell service, and there are versions for iOS and Android. The app is free, and you can get a discounted membership for maps here.

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Huge Pine Cones
The View from the Bench
Typical Switchbacks on Baden-Powell
Ancient Pine
IMG_5140
Trees Grow Sparsely Near the Top
The Views North Extend Further
North over the High Desert
Pines Twisted and Gnarled
Ridgeline Panorama Looking South
This Can Be Treacherous With Ice and Snow
Gnarly roots
Gnarly roots
Mt Baden-Powell Dedication
Above the Baden-Powell Marker
Yondering on Mt Baden-Powell
Hoda atop Mt Baden-Powell
Handicapper
SoCal Hikers atop Baden-Powell
IMG_5205
Shady Switchbacks up Baden-Powell
IMG_5131
Pine Cones
IMG_5276

All of these photos were from our hike on July 5, 2014.

Mt. Baden-Powell Tips

  • This trail can be hot. We hiked this on a moderately warm day, but started early. By afternoon, I was glad that we were headed downhill and not up.
  • Bring the ten essentials, and carry 2-3 liters of water. I carried 3 liters and drank it all by the time we finished.

More Mt. Baden-Powell Resources

  • GPS user? Download the GPX file.
  • After the hike, eat at the Grizzly Cafe in Wrightwood

Mt. Baden-Powell Video Fly-by

Wrightwood Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Related

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 8-10 miles, dog-friendly, Mount Baden-Powell, Mt Baden-Powell, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, peakbagging, San Gabriel Mountains, strenuous, Vincent Gap, vista, wilderness, Wrightwood

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Jeff H

About Jeff Hester

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Ronnette says

    September 16, 2014 at 10:06 am

    Is it 8.7 miles round trip or one way?

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      September 16, 2014 at 10:44 am

      Ronnette, that’s 8.7 miles round trip. The GPS on my iPhone measured it closer to 9.5 miles, but the official distance is 8.7.

      Reply
  2. Larry Smart says

    September 26, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Are permits requires for either the hike or for parking?

    Reply
  3. Garrett Hybarger says

    October 28, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    I need to get down to SoCal and do this hike! My friends and I are trying to get our own outdoor blog started in Utah. I’d love to share it with you!

    http://ruggedutah.com/

    Reply
  4. Philip says

    March 5, 2015 at 10:07 am

    Hi! Are permits required for this hike? How are the peak conditions at this time – will we need snow equipement/gear?

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      March 6, 2015 at 1:31 pm

      Philip, permits are not required. Peak conditions can be snowy and/or icy this time of year, but current forecast shows above freezing temps at the summit. I would have trekking poles and micro-spikes with me, as there are likely some patches of snow even so.

      Reply
  5. caballo blanco says

    March 21, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    Just did this today. Had to turn back, deep snow impossible and risky without crampons. The main trail is covered with snow causing significant confusion. A snow axe is highly recommended, crampons/microspikes mandatory.

    Reply
  6. peakbagn5 says

    March 30, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    Hiked up to BP this past Saturday, 3/28/15, from Vincent Gap. 1′-2′ of snow about quarter mile before the Wally Waldron Tree and for another 25-50 yards past the tree. Some hikers turned back, some carefully took their time and watched their steps as they hiked off trail to get to the top. I opted to do this, too, and was so glad I did. Although I prefer the Dawson Saddle approach, I find it more scenic, ACH was closed at VG so 40 switchbacks it was. In any case, this turned out to be well worth the visit.

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth Schirmer says

    November 8, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    Wow another great hike. Thank you so much for the write up. I enjoy reading your blog before hiking and also after I return home.

    We climbed Mt B-P on Sunday 11.8.15. The road is closed after Vincent Gap. There is a dusting of snow on the trail from 7800 ft to the Wally Waldron tree. Not a lot, but it makes the trails slick, especially early in the day. Bring your poles! You will be glad you did – we forgot ours. We headed out around 8:00 and there were just 10 cars in the parking lot. There were not many hikers in front of us to disturb the ice, so the trail was slick in spots as we climbed. There was just one other hiker at the top. Coming down, we passed lots of hikers. Between hikers on the trail and the increased temperatures, the trail down was not as slick.

    The view from the summit is absolutely stunning. We are new to hiking in S.Cal. Each time we climb another peak (we’ve done the ‘six pack’), we think, ‘wow, this is it, this is the best view & hike ever.’ Mt B-P exceeded our expectations. It might be our new favorite.

    Reply
  8. Nancy RNancy R says

    September 18, 2016 at 2:34 am

    Your information was helpful. I didn’t realize the mine trail was nearby, somehow missed it. Next I’d like to do both.

    Reply
  9. Rene Rosier says

    November 14, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    We did this hike yesterday 11/13/2016. i have to say it was rather challenging. the moment you get on the trail you are going up hill. the switch backs are very short but gain elevation fast. the summit is perfect though 360 degree views. nice place to rest and eat some lunch. only took us 6 hours to complete.

    Reply
  10. Dana Jackson says

    March 6, 2017 at 2:34 pm

    Any idea of the conditions up there this year? I know there’s a ton of snow in the Sierras, wondering if that’s the case in the San Gabriels too. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jeffrey HSoCal Hiker says

      March 6, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Yes, there’s snow in the San Gabriel Mountains, too! Right now Mt Baden-Powell would not be considered a hike, but a winter mountaineering route. Here’s an Instagram shot from one day ago.

      https://www.instagram.com/p/BRPl3BtByiQ/

      Reply
  11. Michael Morrill says

    June 19, 2017 at 9:09 am

    Highway 2 (from the east) is temporarily closed at Grassy Hollow due to a sinkhole. This adds (4-6 miles round trip) to the hike.

    Reply
  12. Eve Hodnett says

    August 19, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    Brilliant page! I hiked this trail and you have so accurately described the hike and experience! Awesome pay off at the peak! Killer getting past the switchbacks but worth it.

    Reply
  13. John says

    August 23, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    If you have never done a hike like this at altitude it might take you as long as it took me this morning which was 4hrs, 45 minutes and 5 hours driving back and forth from Long Beach via the 15 fwy for a 10 hr day

    Reply
  14. Kay says

    August 23, 2018 at 2:45 pm

    John,

    I find your comments amusing. I love to hike, but I’m probably the slowest hiker on any mountain. If there’s any uphill involved, it takes me forever! I haven’t hiked Baden-Powell yet, but hope to do it in the near future. In June this year, I hiked the Panorama Trail in Yosemite. It’s eight miles from Glacier Point to Happy Isles, mostly down hill, except for the approximate 1-3/4 mile uphill part after you cross the bridge over Illilouette Falls. It took me two hours to reach the crest of the uphill part. But the entire hike, including many rest stops to huff and puff took me 9 hours and 30 minutes, way too long! Obviously I could benefit by doing a lot of preconditioning walks and hikes.

    Reply
  15. Hitomi says

    September 7, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    Is camping allowed at the summit? Recently did Cucamonga Peak and camped at the summit. Enjoyed that and looking for something similar.

    Reply
  16. Lynda says

    October 5, 2018 at 2:33 pm

    Hiked this again yesterday. The weather was beautiful, very foggy on one side with great views on the other. Temps in the 40’s, ground dry but damp enough not to be dusty. Disappointed to see that it appears someone has stolen the large sign by the Wally Waldron tree. Really too bad as not only commemorates this individual but, explains the tree is estimated to be 1,500 years old! I hope it can be replaced with something more permanent so others can enjoy.

    Reply

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About Jeff Hester

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout Southern California--and occasionally beyond. I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more...

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