Mountain Baden-Powell

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At 9407 feet (2,867m) in elevation, Mount Baden-Powell is the San Gabriel Mountains' 4th highest peak. It was known as East Twin or North Baldy. In 1931, it was named for Lord Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the World Scouting Movement. A plaque dedicated to Robert Baden-Powell was placed at the summit by several BSA Southern California councils in 1957. The summit of Mt. Baden-Powell is the highest point of a historic 53-mile Boy Scout hiking trail, and the Silver Moccasin Trail, which connects Mt. Baden-Powell to Mt. Burnham, Throop Peak, and Mt. Hawkins.

The hike starts from the Vincent Gap trailhead with 6593 feet in elevation to the summit. This strenuous hike featuring up to 40 switchbacks takes us through an amazing range of vegetation. Along the way there are Oaks, Jeffery pines, Sugar Pines, Incense Cedar, Lodgepole Pines, White Fir, and near the summit, the gnarled Limber Pines. The "Wally Waldron Tree" is a 1500 years old Limber Pine named after Mr. Wally Waldron for his dedication to Scouting. The Wally Waldron Tree is also the oldest tree in the San Gabriel Mountains. The views from the summit are breathtaking, looking over the Mojave desert and Southern Sierra, especially Mt. Baldy

The round trip from Vincent Gap trail head to the Mt. Baden-Powell summit completes an 8-mile hike. The alternative route is a 5-mile intermediate hike from the Mt. Baden-Powell summit to Throop Peak along the Pacific Crest Trail and from Throop Peak to the Dawson Saddle parking lot on the side on CA-2.

The Throop peak was named for Mr. Amos G. Throop who founded the California Institute of Technology, formerly called the Troop College.

This is a great training day hike for a future backpacking trip.