Region
Highlights
- The Pacific Crest Trail reaches within 0.25 miles of the summit, its highest point south of the Sierra Nevada (9,360 ft).
- 4th highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains; 2nd highest with at least 1000 ft prominence
- Highpoint along The Silver Moccasin Trail, a 53-mile Boy Scout hiking trail that connects this summit to Mount Burnham, Throop Peak, and Mount Hawkins.
Routes
/-117.764504,34.3586117,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
53 summits • 7.6 mi • 2,816 ft gain • 3 hr 52 min
/-117.764504,34.3586117,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
23 summits • 10.1 mi • 2,356 ft gain • 5 hr 30 min
/-117.764504,34.3586117,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
13 summits • 4.1 mi • 2,742 ft gain • 4 hr 13 min • Class 1
/-117.764504,34.3586117,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 9.1 mi • 2,373 ft gain • 6 hr 45 min
Latest summits

"June 13, 2020. Hiked Mount Islip, Mount Hawkins, and Baden-Powell, and bagged Mount Burnham on the way back. I as watching AllTrails for the supposed turn off to get Throop Peak, but I don’t think that turn off actually exists anymore. Looks like the turn off is earlier on the Baden-Powell end. I’ll just have to go back and bag that one, too. Perfect weather and there was a flag and new peak sign up at Baden-Powell. " — runningvegan • Jun 13, 2020

"Hiked on February 1, 2020. My first time hiking this peak and I had a couple of route finding issues in the beginning. I immediately needed to put on my microspikes as there was snow and ice over most of the trail. The trail started out with the usual switchbacks, but some people started making their own trails through the snow and this is what threw me off and made me lose the switchbacks twice before I turned back and found the switchback trail again. After about 1.5 miles the switchbacks ended and it was a straight climb up to the top of the peak. There were still other tracks in the snow that could have been misleading, but this trail was more worn and easier to follow. The views were beautiful once I got up to the ridgeline. The snow was packed and frozen over, so I was fine with microspikes and my hiking pole. 5.8 miles and 3,058 feet of elevation gain and 4 hours of hiking. Highway 2 was closed right after the Vincent Gap Trailhead; pay attention to road conditions in case the highway is closed before the trailhead. " — runningvegan • Feb 1, 2020

"This time I elected to hike Baden Powell from Dawson Saddle as opposed to the “normal” trailhead to avoid the 1,001 switchbacks (not a fan!). It's approximately the same distance, but this way takes you by Throop Peak and Mt Burnham. And there's the occasional views of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, and very few switchbacks! Temps were on the warm-ish side but not bad given there's plenty of shade for most of the hike. Good thing too, as I a) forgot my hat, and b) discovered at the trailhead my sunblock was missing out of my pack. I'll pay for it in the coming days… Oh and the glider swooping around the summit of Baden-Powell was a nice addition to the scenery. We then retraced our steps, but snagged Burnham and Throop to complete this 3-peak day." — marc • Aug 25, 2019

"Troop 128 climbed Mt Baden-Powell to participate in Operation On Target. We used a signal mirror to flash other Scout troops on other mountain peaks. We reached as far as Mt San Jacinto!" — mattjohnson • Jul 20, 2019

"Great hike from Dawson Saddle to summit Baden-Powell. Started out sunny and then the wind picked up and the temp on the summit dropped to 50 degrees. Clouds were drifting over the summit, giving it a spooky feel!" — S-J-Arelliano • Sep 30, 2018

"With Ross Mountain as my target for the day, I accessed Mt Baden-Powell via Dawson Saddle and the PCT. I had to summit the peak twice on the day since it was the beginning and end point for the descent/ascent to/from Ross Mountain. While arriving early for the first ascent, I saw several hikers posing for pics and patting each other on the back for their great achievement. For me, my day was only beginning. I sat down and had a snack before pressing on to Ross Mountain. On the way back, it was late afternoon with only a few people on the summit. This is one of the great vantage points in the mountain range. I even managed to photograph a glider that was flying low over the summit." — MikeTeeples • May 12, 2018

"Easily one of my fave peak in LA, so it was great to get a second summit, this time with a different approach and season.
Got up this one with HPS peaks Islip, Mount Hawkins, South Hawkins, Mount Burnham, and Burnham." — JustinB • Apr 26, 2018

"My second hike to Baden-Powell came from a different direction. Instead of the hike from Vincent Gap up the 40-something switchbacks I did the first time, I hiked from Dawson Saddle, over Throop Peak, east along the Pacific Crest Trail to Mt. Burnham, Peak 9,100', and Baden-Powell. This route has somewhat less elevation gain spread out over a roughly 9 mile hike. There is both gain and loss along the PCT both ways, but nothing overly severe, but there is a long uphill stretch between the backside of Burnham and where PCT meets Dawson Saddle Trail on the way back to the car. I estimate the elevation gain to be 2,400' (versus the 2,800' gain over 8 mi. round trip from Vincent Gap). It is not a super easy hike, but moderately strenuous, but also not severely tough either. The views and ancient Limber Pines (Pinus flexilis) make this one of the neatest summits in Southern California. The ridge from Throop to Baden-Powell is an awesome traverse, one I highly recommend!" — brianpowell • Sep 24, 2017
"3 of 4 (and a double summit, since I tagged it again on the way out). After seeing very few people along the ridge from Throop, the summit here was busy. I guess most people climb from Vincent Gap? Not sure why, the walk from Throop was one of my favorite trails to date in the San Gabriels. Stunning views all around. I think I could just barely make out the Sierra; including a sharp, non-snowy peak (Olancha?) and two snowy ones further north (Langley & Whitney?). Beautiful day. Should have turned around here, but I foolish thought the descent to Ross didn't look too bad." — edg • Jun 18, 2016

"Strenuous climb up 40+ switchbacks up Pacific Crest Trail at Vincent Gap. Route is roughly 8 miles long with 2,800'-2,900' elevation gain. Starts out with Jeffrey Pine/Sugar Pine/White Fir forest, later with Lodgepole Pines, and then Lodgepoles with a few Limber Pines to Summit. Wonderful workout with great scenery and lovely forest on north-facing slope." — brianpowell • Oct 3, 2015