Southern California · Hard · Out and back

Mount Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap

Forty switchbacks up the Pacific Crest Trail from Vincent Gap, past ancient limber pines, to the summit named for the Scouts' founder.

Distance
7.8 mi (12.6 km)
Ascent
2,687 ft (819 m)
Time
About 6 h
High point
9,341 ft (2,847 m)
Grade
Hard

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

0 mi2 mi4 mi6 mi9,341 ft6,598 ft
Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.
Mount Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap
The original uploader was Jakerome at English Wikipedia./ Simonov · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The hike

The walk starts at Vincent Gap, on the Angeles Crest Highway (Highway 2) west of Wrightwood and Big Pines. The Pacific Crest Trail climbs the north face of the mountain in about 40 switchbacks through pine and fir forest, passing the short side path to Lamel Spring at 1.7 miles. Near the top the forest thins to old, twisted limber pines; one of them, the Wally Waldron Tree, is thought to be 1,500 years old. A spur leaves the Pacific Crest Trail for the bare summit, at about 9,400 feet, where a monument honors Lord Baden-Powell. Return the same way.

It is 7.8 miles (12.6 km) round trip with 2,690 feet (819 m) of climbing; allow about 6 hours. The grade is Hard: a well-graded trail, but it climbs without a break to over 9,000 feet.

Carry all the water you need. The north-facing switchbacks hold snow and ice through winter and well into spring, when the trail needs winter equipment. Parking at Vincent Gap costs $5 a day, paid on the spot.

Highway 2 is closed for repairs between Islip Saddle and Vincent Gap, and that stretch is shut most winters. Drive in from the east, through Wrightwood and Big Pines.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • About 40 switchbacks up to a monument to the founder of the Scouts
  • Ancient limber pines near the top include the Wally Waldron Tree
  • A parking pass is needed at Vincent Gap; there is a self-pay station

Summits on the way

  • Mount Baden-Powell 9,383 ft (2,860 m)

Getting there

Start: Vincent Gap. 34.37318, -117.75187

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.