A moderately challenging 8-mile trek up the north face of one of the tallest mountains in the San Gabriels. Fans of switchbacks will love the march to the top of this peak, which rewards hikers with a stunning ridge, 1500-year-old limber pines, a small monument to the founder of the Boy Scouts, and a mostly-bare summit with tremendous panoramic views of the landscape. A popular trail, but definitely on the list of must-dos for the Angeles National Forest.
The Basics:
- Distance: 8 miles round trip.
- Elevation Gain: 2807 feet
- Time: About 4-5 hours, with breaks
- Trail Condition: Excellent. This is a well-maintained and well-traveled trail that’s a popular route for day hikers and as a short side-trip for Pacific Crest Trail through-hikers. It’s a single trail from the trailhead to the summit, with the one major junction clearly marked. Parts of the official trail may still have snow on them late into the season, but there is an extensive system of use-trails to avoid these obstacles.
- How To get There: From the 210 in La Canada Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway 50.3 miles to Vincent Gap. There is a moderately sized parking lot there, with access to several trails and a vault toilet. Park here and display your Adventure Pass. The trailhead is at the western corner of the lot. Alternatively, you can also reach this trailhead from I-15. In the Cajon Pass, take the CA-138 exit toward Palmdale and travel 8.6 miles on the 138 to the junction with the Angeles Crest Highway. From there, Vincent Gap is just under 14 miles.
The Notables:
- High elevation peak with few trees – great panoramic views of the surrounding landscape
- Challenging ascent with dozens of switchbacks
- Breathtaking ridge trail near the summit
- Alpine scenery
- Small monument to Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts
- An ancient limber pine grove, including one tree that’s over 1500 years old
More Pictures:
- on Flickr
Mount Baden-Powell had long been cut-off from many L.A. area hikers, due to the closure of the Angeles Crest Highway. Since the road fully re-opened, we no longer have to drive around the eastern edge of the San Gabriels to come in from Wrightwood, and can reach this popular peak with an easy (albeit long) drive from the La Canada Flintridge entrance to the Angeles National Forest.
When the road re-opened, this was the first mountain I hiked, and it is definitely worth taking the time to get to.
The trailhead is clearly marked from the road, and has a large parking area and outhouses. While this can be a crowded trail – popular with day-hikers, backpackers, Boy Scouts, and Pacific Crest Trail through-hikers, don’t let that discourage you from hiking it. There are also a few other trails that leave from this parking lot – so don’t worry if you see a lot of cars when you pull in.
Head toward the western corner of the lot, then hop on the Pacific Crest Trail and start hiking.
The trail is mostly shaded by pines at this elevation, and has a moderate but very consistent grade. You’re not going to find much flat ground to rest your legs, here. Just count the switchbacks and you’ll be fine.
The scenery of the trail is nothing spectacular for most of the trek, but the thick evergreen forest is a very-welcome respite from the drudgery of city life, and as you ascend, you’ll be able to see more of the Antelope Valley to the north or, if you’re lucky, some leftover wildflower blooms.
About a mile in, there is a small bench at a switchback, overlooking the mountains to the east of Baden-Powell. In another 0.7 miles and 8 switchbacks, there is a short spur trail to Lamel Spring, which – of course – should be treated before you drink any water. You’ll also pass this great knotted tree:
It was around this point in the trail that I started encountering the last of the stubborn winter snow, still hanging on to the mountain in seemingly frozen snow-slides … or very tiny glaciers.
While these little snowblocks started off as very small obstacles, they soon grew much larger, blocking large sections of trail, making it so I had to either climb over them or hike on some of the more directly-ascending use trails for a while.
But it was at this elevation – about 3 miles in and just under 8500 feet – that the trees got more gnarled from the weather, and the views of the Antelope Valley to the north became much clearer.
… if you look near the left of center in this photo, you can clearly make out the Devil’s Punchbowl. Viewed from this elevation, you can really see what a geological freakshow that place is, and how much it sticks out from the rest of the surrounding landscape.
At about the 3.9 mark, the formerly just-pleasant trail takes a turn toward the dramatic. Here, a short, unmarked use-trail will lead you to a small, ancient grove of limber pines, some of which have been sitting on this windswept ridge for a thousand years.
When you’re done getting your mind blown by the trees, your horizon will widen to reveal a breathtaking view of Pine Mountain Ridge and Mount Baldy to the southeast.
… and when you’re done with that, you can look down to see the near-sheer drop of the ridge you’re standing on. I told you this part was dramatic.
… all this, and you’re not even at the summit yet!
When you’re done soaking in the views here, continue on the trail along a short summit ridge with a sharp drop to the left. The Pacific Crest Trail bypasses Baden-Powell’s summit, heading west toward Islip Saddle. Ignore this and continue on the marked path toward the Baden-Powell summit, making sure to take time out to stop at the “Wally” Waldron Tree – a particularly hardy limber pine that’s estimated to be more than 1500 years old.
From there, it’s less than a tenth of a mile up to the bare cap of Baden-Powell, adorned with a small concrete monument to peak’s namesake.
Relax, have a snack, layout on the summit and enjoy the panoramic views, then head back down the way you came.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice web page, very informative. We have hiked Baden-Powell four times within the last several months and it is a good workout, nice scenery and if the day is clear a fantastic view on the summit. As always, be prepared, we went up about a month ago starting out at four in the afternoon and near the top we encountered heavy rain and winds…it got very cold!
It’s a great snowshoe as well. You can skip the switchbacks and just plow straight up the ridge!
http://stevemc.smugmug.com/gallery/7198333_ncRBT#462297038_4Ef96
This is one of my favorite hikes in LA!
Have hiked the mtn. 3 times over the last two summers. Trail is well maintained considering the maintainence required. The hike is up the north ridge making for a cool walk in the shade most of the time. It is a moderately strenouous hike and makes for a great workout. Great view at the top.
Great idea about the snowshowing. I live in Wrightwood, so I have done the hike dozens of times…never in the snow though.
i hiked this with my boyfriend for the first time june 12, 2009. it was our first major hike together. had a good time till 9000 feet and i swear my lungs were burning. after i stopped 300 ft short of the summit, for 20 mins i made it to the top. we went up in right under 4 hrs, and made it down in 2 hrs 23 mins
Does anyone know if this hike is currently accessible due to the station fire?
If the 2 isn’t closed due to weather or landslides, you should be able to hike Baden-Powell. It’s east of the burn area.
I’m thinking about trying this hike next weekend, but does anyone know if the trail is clear enough to summit without snowshoes? Thanks!
i believe it still has snow. last week when i was in palmdale it looked like there was still snow. but i dont know if u need snow shoes,… i know the snow that is up there is slushy
I tried climbing this summit on Saturday May 22. We got up about two miles and had to turn around because of snow. We noticed plenty of hikers with hiking books and poles who also had to turn around. Will try again after the snow melts.
I hiked to the summit on May 26th with hiking boots and two trekking poles. I would not recommend it. We saw others who did it without crampons, but most that made it to the summit had crampons and ice axes.
What is the best way to reach Baden Powell from the LA area (Glendale specifically)? Have the fire closures affected the road in?
Does anyone know the current status of any snow pack remaining on the trail?
By the way, this blog contains unbelievable amounts of excellent information!
Thank you for your efforts.
On memorial day the last 1500 feet or so of elevation was solid snow (no way to see the trail so we just went straight up). It was do able with hiking poles and no ice axe (although glissading down with the ice axe was one of the most fun parts of the trip).
Once you reach the ridge before the summit the snow clears and you can follow the trail again the rest of the way.
This Was My First Hike Ever, Although I Didn’t Make It All The Way I Was Very Proud. It Was Beautiful, After Some More Training I Will Be Back There To Make it All The Way Up To The Summit