Mt. Baden-Powell
Named for the founder of the World Scouting Movement, Robert Baden-Powell
Hike Details:
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to Difficult
DISTANCE: ~ Between 8 miles (RT)
TIME: ~ 5 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 2,850’
Dogs ok
(Challenging for beginner hikers)
Trail head
Where to Meet Up
– Find us around the trail head gateway at the Vincent Gap parking area.
Facilities:
– Restrooms can be found at the Trailhead.
Parking:
– In Google Maps:
Look up Vincent Gap, California 93563
You’ll need to display a National Forest Adventure Pass
(or an America the Beautiful Pass) when parking
Parking fills up early on the weekends. If the parking area is full, there’s usually roadside parking all the way up and down the road.
Tweets
In Partnership with:
TO SEE OUR COVID-19 ARTICLE
for LOCAL TREKS:
Carpool Option
Where to Meet Up
* Currently Not Recommending this option during Covid *
– REI Burbank
A convenient carpool meet-up location with free, all-day parking
Facilities:
– Restrooms can be found at the Target Store or coffee shop next to REI
Parking:
– In Google Maps:
Look up REI, 1900 W Empire Ave, Burbank, CA 91504
Park anywhere in the center or the outer edge of the large parking lot.
Be sure to let me know if you’ll need to arrange carpool and we will coordinate by phone.
Route Plan
THE PLAN:
Plan for a 5 hour hike out and back, with spectacular 360º views from the summit. You’ll want to bring your camera for sure.
Ascent Route:
– PCT from Vincent Gap
Descent Route 1:
– PCT, down the way we came.
Descent Route 2:
– Thru hike north-west to Dawson Saddle.
Yes, you can thru-hike this if you have a car left at either Dawson Saddle or Islip saddle.
(9-15 miles)
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.
– (NO BRAND NEW FOOTWEAR)
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)
Trekking Poles:
– Recommended – Not a requirement, but they really help, especially on the downhill.
Pack List:
Capacity/Size:
– 13 liters to 18 liters will be fine. (Any larger will be overkill)
– A trail running vest also works if you want to go fast and light (just minimize contents to bare minumum)
Water:
– 1.5 liters
– 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.
There is a spring along the trail, but unknown if it’s flowing in late summer.
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. We can add or subtract layers as needed.
Other Pack Essentials: (Just to be safe… )
– Headlamp
– Batteries
– Knife
– Tylenol
– Antacid
– 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 (these can be picked up at the Mt. Baldy Visitors Center in town)
$30 for an annual pass (these can be purchased on-line, in town at the visitors center, at REI, at Adventure 16, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and most sporting goods stores in southern California)
On the weekends, Parking fills up pretty quick at the trailhead. If you arrive at the trailhead at 9am, you might be out of luck, however, theres usually more parking up the road.
Theres a restroom at the 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
