Thru-Hike
Point A ------- Point B
Hike Details:
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult
DISTANCE: ~ 8 miles / 13km (one-way)
TIME: ~ 5 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 2,500’ / 760m
(a real workout for beginner hikers)
Dogs Welcome🐕
Coordinating a Thru-Hike
Thru-Hike!
Since this is a One-Way-Hike, there will need to be some coordination of vehicles.
30 minutes before the planned start time, 2 cars need to drive to the “Exit Trailhead”
and leave one car there to drive everyone back to the “Start Trailhead” at the end of the hike.
The car needs to have enough room all the people in the hike party, otherwise additional cars will need to be left at the “Exit Trailhead”
All cars will need a National Forest Adventure Pass.
Dawson Saddle Trail head:
All Hikers Meet Here:
– Where Do We All Meet?
– In Google Maps:
-Look up Dawson Saddle, California 91702
Park off the road near a service shed and find the rest of the hike party.
(check the photos of the shed below)
– Coordinate Before Getting Out Here:
Be sure you know if any additional collector cars are being dropped off at the Exit Trail head at Vincent Gap, which is a 10 minute drive from here. There’s little to no cell service up here, so good prior coordination is key. Know how many hikers are in the group well before getting out here.
Facilities:
– No restrooms at this Trailhead.
– There is restrooms at the Exit Trailhead.
Notes on Parking:
You’ll need to display a National Forest Adventure Pass
(or an America the Beautiful Pass) when parking
Parking fills up on the weekends. If the parking area is full, there’s usually more parking down the road on the left another 10-15 seconds.
Be careful walking back up to meet the crew at the trailhead, the shoulder on this road can get thin.
Keep in mind you’re parking where bears live, and will smell an easy lunch in an unattended car.
-If you’re leaving food for after the hike, make sure it’s sealed really good, and try to park around other cars where people might be around.
Just trying not to tempt hungry bears 🐻
-Display your Adventure Pass.
– Lock it up and remember to bring the key!
(pack it in a safe place in your pack)
Dawson Saddle Directional Map
Landmarks At The Trailhead:
Vincent Gap Trailhead Parking
If You're Dropping Off A Collector Car:
Be familiar with the three maps below:
-Have someone volunteer to drive down to Vincent Gap to bring you back to the Dawson Saddle Trail Head. (20 min round trip)
Or meet first thing in the morning here, and convene at Dawson Saddle with the rest of the hike party.
– Make sure you have enough room for the group you’ll be driving.
If there’s too many passengers:
recruit another collector car to be dropped off here as well.
-Coordinate with the hike crew so they know who’s driving with who.
Parking The Collector Car:
– Park anywhere in the main lot at Vincent Gap, If it’s full, there’s an overflow lot across the road.
– Be sure the collector car is clean and free of food scraps.
Bears live out here, and will smell an easy lunch in an unattended car.
-If you’re leaving food for after the hike, make sure it’s sealed really good, and try to park around other cars where people might be around.
Just trying not to tempt hungry bears 🐻
-Display your Adventure Pass.
– Lock it up and remember to bring the key!
(pack it in a safe place in your pack)
Vincent Gap Directional Map
Routes:
THE PLAN:
Plan for a 5 hour hike in one direction, covering 8 miles / 13 kms with spectacular 360º views from the summit.
You’ll want to bring your camera for sure.
The Route:
– Follows the PCT from Throop Peak to Vincent Gap.
Peak Bagging:
– 3 peaks on this route:
- Throop Peak
9138’/2785m - Mt. Burnham
8997’/2742m - Mt Baden-Powell
9399’/2865m
Yes, you can skip all the peaks by using the bypass trail which typically skirts to the left of each peak, watch for the fork in the trail as you approach the peak.
What to Bring
Gear List:
Footwear:
– Well broken in trail runners or lightweight hiking boots (Trail runners work well on this trail) – (sneakers are ok for this trail too)
– Light-weight to Mid-weight socks … (be familiar with the brand/style)
– Gators are ‘optional’ for the descent which can get loose and gravelly. Your choice.
Sun Protection:
– Hat (cap or wide brim hat) – Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna
– Sunglasses
Pocket Calories:
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt:
-Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Tic Tacs
– Whatever you bring on a race… bring that!
Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … it will get sweaty – Shorts (or convertible hiking pants)
-It can snow up here in spring months and will definitely be snowy in the winter.
Trekking Poles:
– Recommended – Not a requirement, but they really help, especially on the downhill.
Pack List:
Capacity/Size:
– 10 liters to 25 liters will be fine. (Any larger will be overkill)
– A trail running vest also works if you want to go fast and light
Water:
– 1.5 liters
-There’s a spring on the descent (Lamel Spring)
– A 32oz bottle of gatorade (full sugar) can take care of most your water and glucose needs. It’s just extra weight to bring from the bottom.
Food:
– Bring a snack like an apple or a granola bar
– Bring a small lunch item like a wrap or sandwich
– (optional extras) like trail mix or cookies, something with high calories …. but keep it small
– Pack extra emergency glucose, like gels, glucose tabs, or candy that won’t melt in the heat.
Layers:
– Wind jacket
– Beanie
– Light gloves
– Mid-layer (anything with long sleeves will work, just nothing too bulky) – Extra pair of socks (light weight)
It might be windy and chilly at the summit.
Other Pack Essentials: (Just to be safe… )
– Headlamp
– Batteries
– Knife
– Ibuprofen (for altitude issues)
– Antacid (for altitude issues)
– Camera
– TP
– Glucose meter + strips
– CGM backup
– Emergency insulin (in cooling pack like a frio) either pen or vial+syringe
At least 1 person in the party should carry:
– First Aid Kit (small)
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Charger+Cords
– GPS
– Satellite Communicator
– Map
– Emergency Blanket(s) – Water Filter
– Emergency glucose
______________________________________________________________________________
Other Notes:
Parking requires a National Forest Adventure Pass.
$5 for a day pass
$30 for an annual pass (these can be purchased on-line, in town in Wrightwood, at REI, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and most sporting goods stores in southern California)
On the weekends, Parking fills up pretty quick at the trailheads. If you arrive at the trailhead at 9am, you might be out of luck, however, theres usually more parking nearby on the side of the road.
Theres a restroom at the Vincent Gap trailhead.
Wrightwood is the closest town, about 30 minutes north.
For more info or questions, email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
Other Stuff:
LNT:
We will be traveling in a protected national forest ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
