|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 Reporter |
Summary: This is a great hike through one of the best places in the Angeles Forest. This is wonderful high country hiking along one of the best sections of the PCT in Southern California. This trail is pretty straightforward, lots of steady up grade to the top, you can venture off on the side peaks as well. Throop and Burnham only add 350 feet in elevation gain and .5 to your mileage. Throop is worthwhile, Burnham is just a bump on the trail, but a must if you are peak bagging. The view from Baden Powell is spectacular, even on a day obscured by fires, or haze. The high country is amazing. You can even choose to follow along the ridgeline the entire way if you wish. One of the most outstanding things about this trail is that you can see where you are going and where you have been along the entire route. In my book, that always exemplifies a great trail. Trailhead: Drive east on the Angeles Crest Highway (2) past Islip Saddle to Dawson Gap. or Drive West on the Angeles Crest Highway (2) past Vincent Gap to Dawson Gap. There is a big Cal Trans shed on the North Side of the road, there are three spots with ample parking along either side of the highway. Park and the trail begins across from the shed. This area of the PCT floats above the highway. I have never hiked through here on a weekend when the road from Islip Saddle to Vincent Gap has been open, but I would imagine the motorcycle noise is terribly disturbing, especially on a Sunday. So, if you are like me and have the luxury to hike this area during the week, do so, there are hardly any cars or people even in the forest. (Lat:34.35866 Lon:-117.76474) Trail Guides for Mt. Baden-Powell from Dawson Gap: Best Hikes With Dogs - Southern California by Allen Riedel (Mountaineers books) Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Horses, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest (626) 574-1613 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Jeff on 12/7/2009 Did this hike yesterday. TH was covered in heavy fog & low clouds and quite cold. Snow covered all but the very bottom of trail but no crampons or poles needed, just a few icy spots. Once above the clouds (majority of hike), it was absolutely beautiful! As previoulsy noted, there are fantastic 360 degree views from the summit including the Sierras (I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it myself). Due to cold/unstable weather, no noise from cycles (or cars for that matter) on the 2. Saw only 2 other hikers on the way down. What an awesome solitary hike! Cautionary note:near the summit, the eastern side of the spine is a serious drop off - don't get too curious. Definitely one of the best So. Cal hikes!
Reviewed by NicAndTed on 8/10/2009 Great workout! Spectacular views on a clear day and we loved that throughout most of the hike you could view where you're heading and where you have been. :) Motorcycle noise wasn't too disturbing- kind of reminds you how close you are to city life.
Reviewed by DS on 7/7/2009 This is the first time I've hiked to Baden Powell from Dawson Gap, due to the long standing road closure. I am glad that the road is now open, because the hike from Dawson Gap is much more enjoyable than from Vincent Gap. This route has far fewer switchbacks and provides far superior views along the way. The trail passes through some small clearings and many pleasant picnic spots. I'll definitely come back here the next time I want to hike to Baden Powell. 
Reviewed by TP on 7/4/2009 Nice Hike - relentlessly uphill. Weather was perfect. We arrived at the parking lot at 10:00 and got to business. We had our kids with us, so we took it slow and took a lot of breaks. We summited at about 3:00. Checked out the Scout monument at the top - very cool. Views were outstanding. This hike is a must do, but I think only once. I don't feel a need to do it again. There are so many other things that are better to see around here.
Reviewed by MMD on 4/7/2009 Tried to summit on Sat. April 4th, but no cigar! Snow filled trail everywhere, ice in the shady spots and we forgot our crampons! We tried going straight up the clear spots on the south face, but only got to the ridge below the peak. We used our spider-sense in the name of safety and decided to descend. We did have an awesome glissade down the snow filled gully using prehistoric wooden ice axes. We'll be back very soon, with gear just in case...
Reviewed by Brock on 8/12/2008 Climbed yesterday 10 Aug. 2008 leaving Vincent Gap at 12:45pm. The PCT is a dream compared to most other trails. On a hot August day it's nice to get up high! I met nice people (including 4 nuns wearing full habits...) I had the trail between Mt. Baden-Powell and Mount Burnham to myself. Returned to Vincent gap at sunset (approx 7:00 pm)
Reviewed by Lou on 6/26/2008 My wife and I did the hike up from Islip Saddle to Baden-Powell and back this past Sunday. Two years ago we had to start at Cedar Springs (to the west of the tunnels) because of road closure. That was 20+ miles and a bit much. But from Islip Saddle is only 16 and took us under 10 hours. Ran out of water on the way back (as usual) and were rescued by Little Jimmy Springs. 4 days now and still haven't gotten the runs - keeping our fingers crossed.
Reviewed by Jon E. on 6/4/2008 We arrived at the trail head at 8:30AM. The trail was clear and easy to follow for the first 2.5 miles. Snow got progressively worse and following the trail became impossible. We decided to just climb straight up the snow banks. Made it to the top in about 2.5 hours. Glissaded all the way down to the clear trail, ran the rest. Total time. 3.25 hours. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, San Bernardino County Hiking, San Bernardino County Trails, San Bernardino County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||