Throop Peak + Mount Burnham + Baden-Powell From Dawson Saddle
In This Guide |
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Total Distance (?) | 9 miles (14.5 km) |
Hike Time | 4-5 Hours (Total) |
Difficulty (?) | Moderate |
Total Ascent (?) | 2,700 feet (823m) |
Highest Elevation | 9,399 feet (2865m) |
Fees & Permits | Free |
Dogs Allowed | Leashed |
Alerts & Closures (?) | Angeles National Forest |
Park Phone | 747-322-6574 |
Weather & Forecast | Latest Conditions |
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This hike, which takes in Throop Peak, Mount Burnham, and Mount Baden-Powell from Dawson Saddle, has dramatic high-mountain scenery and interesting history. This ridge of peaks was initially referred to as “North Baldy Mountain,” with Throop Peak being the “West Twin” and Baden-Powell being the “East Twin.” Whatever you want to call it now, this is a great hike, with three peaks to bag, expansive views, and well-groomed trails, including the PCT.
Where is Dawson Saddle?
This hike starts from Dawson Saddle, along Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2). Use this address:
Dawson Saddle, CA-2, California 91702
Check the road conditions before you go, this section of CA-2 can close in the winter.

You do not need a parking pass or permit at Dawson Saddle.



Gear For the Hike
This is a high-altitude hike in the mountains, and you should be prepared accordingly. I find that 2L of water is usually enough, and that trekking poles are helpful on some of the steeper slopes.
Trail Maps
This hike will take a combination of established trails, and smaller (yet well-trodden) unofficial trails. If you have a GPS and load the GPX file, these smaller trail turnoffs should be obvious. And if not, there are plenty of footprints to go by.
Explore Map on CalTopoView a Printable PDF Hike MapDownload the Hike GPX File
Elevation Profile

3D Map

Hike Brief

- Throop Peak is pronounced “troop,” but I’ve also heard USFS personnel pronounce it “throop.”
- Originally Throop Peak was called Dougherty Peak, after mountain man Charles Vincent Dougherty, aka Charles Vincent. Nearby Vincent Gap is named after him and you can visit his cabin.
- In 1916 an early hiker named the peak after his alma mater, Throop Polytechnic Institute in Pasadena, later becoming the California Institute of Technology. Today a summit marker denotes that the peak is named after Amos Throop, founder of the school. I guess that all works out.
- If you’re doing this hike, you’ve probably already hiked to Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap and know that Baden-Powell was the founder of the Boy Scouts. You may not know that he never actually stepped foot on the peak of Baden-Powell or hiked around here. He was a don of the British Empire who managed to get around the globe quite a bit. He’s buried by Mount Kenya.
- Mount Burnham was named after Major Frederick Russell Burnham, a buddy of Baden-Powell and another guy active in the Boy Scout movement.
- From 1906 to 1911 the SoCal event that people went crazy for was the “North Baldy Race” or “Baldy Race” for short, an automobile race from LA to Big Horn Mine by way of North Baldy.
When the North Baldy Race was run, Angeles Crest Highway hadn’t been built yet. Racers drove over dirt and rough tracks to climb thousands of feet into the San Gabriels. Photo LA Times, 1 Aug 1908.
North Baldy Ridge Hike Directions
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Video Directions
Turn by Turn Directions








































From here, just turn around and head back.

This guide last updated on April 21, 2022. Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide.