Hiking Mount Baden-Powell gives you a spectacular taste of the Angeles National Forest's high peaks without that much effort. You have to climb up the PCT, but the hike's shorter distance and steady gradient make it more of a challenging workout than a backcountry expedition. Baden-Powell is one of the classic hikes in the San Gabriels that you must add to your peak-bagging bucket list.
In this Guide:
- Turn by Turn Hike Directions & Video
- Mt Baden-Powell Trail Maps
- How to Get to the Mt Baden-Powell Hike
Getting to the Mount Baden-Powell Trailhead
Use this trailhead address:
Vincent Gap Trailhead, Azusa, CA 91702
Parking Update
A third party is now charging $5 for trailhead parking and is not accepting parking passes. You can park accross the street for free. Be careful crossing the road.
Gear For the Hike
- This is a backcountry hike and you need to be well prepared with the essentials.
- I bring 2 liters of water. You can refill at Lamel Spring along the way.
- Trail runners and trekking poles are a good combo on the sl0pes here.
- There's not good (if any) cell reception here so bring your satellite communicator.
- In the winter after the snow and ice arrive, this fairly tame hike becomes more of a mountaineering experience. Give it a skip unless you have experience in these conditions.
Gear That I Love Right Now
Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.
Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.
Topo MTN RacerAggressive and fun with a wide toe box (=no blisters). Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.
Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.
Check out the complete list here. ( Updated October 2024)
Mount Baden-Powell Trail Maps
How Will You Navigate?
Worth Noting
- Mt Baden-Powell was named after Lord Baden-Powell, who founded the Boy Scouts. In the 1950s, local Boy Scout chapters restored the trail here and named the mountain in his honor. Before that, this peak was called North Baldy.
- Near the top, you'll see the Wally Waldron tree, named after a Boy Scout leader who restored the trail and created the Baden-Powell monument at the summit. The tree is approximately 1500 years old and is considered the oldest living thing in the San Gabriel Mountains.
- Most of the hike follows the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which goes from the borders of Mexico to Canada. If you want more of the PCT without hiking its 2650 miles, read Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, a best-selling book later adapted into a movie.
Mount Baden-Powell Hike Directions
Need More Info?
- Have a question about the guide? Join my Patreon and ask me a question.
- When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
- Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.