Hello and welcome to my blog on hiking the Mount Baden-Powell Trail of California. My name is Tomasa and my Instagram name is @iamoneness11. I’m simply an outdoor enthusiast who loves nature, not only admiring its beauty on outdoor adventures but also taking care of it along the way.
I was born in El Salvador and currently live in California. I started hiking four years ago when a friend invited me to go on my first hike. Ever since I have not stopped hiking! However, it wasn’t until about two years ago that I started hiking consistently. I enjoy watching the different colors of the sky (depending on the time), the different shapes of rocks and trees, and listening to the birds chirp and the sound of running water in the creeks.
When I started hiking consistently back in 2020, I just wanted to explore as many different peaks as I could. That is how I ended up hiking up Mount Baden-Powell for the first time and now it is one of my favorite peaks to visit in Southern California even with my dogs Miso and Midnight.
My Experiences Hiking up Mount Baden-Powell
I always start this hike from the Vincent Gap parking lot. It is an out and back hike totaling approximately 8 miles. You can also explore other peaks that connect to the Mount Baden-Powell trail towards the summit. The trail is well maintained and features 35 switchbacks. It is a gradual incline from the trailhead to the summit, gaining approximately 2,800 feet in elevation.
This mountain was named after the founder of the modern Boy Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell. The trail is well-maintained by Boy Scout groups, and a monument in honor of Baden-Powell lies near the mountain summit.
This trail has spectacular views from the start of the hike and they only get better as you continue to ascend. The 360 views at the summit are some of the most amazing in California and are personal favorites of mine.
From the summit, you get to see other remarkable peaks, such as Mt. Baldy which is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains. I have visited this peak more than a few times now and I am always fascinated by the views. I love taking pictures and I can always take at least 100 every time I visit Mount Baden-Powell – that is how amazing the views are there!
Mount Baden-Powell is rated as difficult by AllTrails, however I think it is more of a moderate level. Anyone with some decent physical conditioning and the disposition to make it happen can successfully complete this hike.
Personal Highlight from Mount Baden-Powell
One of my biggest highlights from hiking the Mount Baden-Powell Trail is when I decided to summit the mountain for sunrise with two of my good friends, Becca and Prisciliano. As we were approaching the last mile to the summit, we noticed the temperature was lower and the winds were stronger than what the weather report stated.
We jogged the last three quarters of the last mile to the summit and made it to the top just 15 minutes before the sunrise. While waiting for the sun to rise, we stayed running in place to stay warm and not get frostbite! This early morning experience was a little bit painful and scary, however it offered one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen.
Need to Know Before you Go
Anyone wanting to hike Mount Baden-Powell should be aware of wild animals in the area and be prepared for weather changes. Some hikers don’t like the switchbacks, however I suggest you stay on the marked trail to not cause damages. Hikers should also carry bags to carry out their own trash to help keep the trail clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Lastly, if you plan on hiking Mount Baden-Powell during the warmer months, make sure to take enough water as the last quarter of the hike is exposed. If you plan on hiking it during the winter, crampons and axes are the safest way to make it to the summit without injuries or getting lifted out by SAR. If the snow levels are low and there is a marked trail, micro spikes should do the work. I’m sure you will have an amazing time here!
