Mt Baden-Powell Hike

8 miles - Hard Effort
4-5 Hous (Total)
Can Get Very Busy
2,800 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 9,399 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

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

Quick Links:
Parks Pass - Park Website - Weather Forecast - My Jul 2024 Gear

Getting to the Mount Baden-Powell Trailhead

Mount Baden Powell Trailhead Location — The hike starts at Vincent Gap, deep in the heart of the Angeles National Forest. It's along Angeles Crest Highway, which can close in or after bad weather, so check the CalTrans website (search for route 2) before you go.

Use this trailhead address:
Vincent Gap Trailhead, Azusa, CA 91702

You need a parking pass for the trailhead lot. I use the affordable America the Beautiful Pass, which gets me in every National Park, National Monument, National Forest, or any Federal land. You can also use an (Southern California only) Adventure Pass, or buy a $5 day permit from the ranger’s office.

PARKING UPDATE: A third party is now charging $5 for trailhead parking and is not accepting parking passes. I'd bring a $5 bill with you just in case. You can see my video on the subject here. I'll keep you updated as things develop.

Baden Powell Hike Parking 1 — There's a large parking lot but it fills up quickly on weekends.

Baden Powell Hike Parking 2 — There are primitive toilets but no water fills at the trailhead.

Gear For the Hike

Baden Powell Hike Exposure — While the majority of the hike climbs up through the trees, the final stretch of the hike is completely exposed. Bring extra layers for the top, which will be cooler than the trailhead.

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 Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

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 July 2024)

Mount Baden-Powell Trail Maps

Baden Powell Hike 3d Map — There's not a lot to navigating the hike, just follow the switchbacks uphill until you reach the summit. You'll have about 2800 feet of climbing in 4 miles.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Worth Noting

Baden Powell Portrait — This is Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, the guy that the mountain was named after.

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

Baden Powell Hike Directions 3 — Start the hike by hiking uphill at the end of the parking lot, behind the trail board and toilets.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 4 — Don't give to much heed to the distances on the trail signs, they're not all correct.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 5 — You'll start climbing above the road.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 6 — As you ascend the switchbacks, some sections are steep but some are gentle.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 7 — The only thing that can be tricky is missing a switchback. If you are hiking and the trail fizzles out, you probably went straight when you should have made a sharp turn back.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 1 — There are some benches to rest along the way.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 8 — At about 1.7 miles you'll reach the Lamel Spring junction. If you need water, you can visit the spring, otherwise continue right and uphill.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 9 — Now it's just a matter of putting in the work and hiking up the 37 switchbacks.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 10 — At about 3.7 you'll break out of the switchbacks and tree line and emerge on the ridge. That's the summit of Mt Baden-Powell in front of you.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 11 — When the trail splits and the PCT goes right, continue straight toward the summit.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 12 — Just past the junction, the Wally Waldron tree is on your left. Please be respectful.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 2 — It's a short stretch up to the summit once you pass the Wally Waldron tree.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 13 — First you'll arrive at the Boy Scout memorial. The actual summit is a short ways past this.

Baden Powell Hike Directions 14 — And here you are at the summit. Enjoy the views and return the same way that you came up.

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.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.