Mt Baden Powell
Mountains
Mt Baden Powell Description
Mt Baden Powell is one of the most prominent mountains in the San Gabriel Mountain Range, standing at about 9,399' in elevation. This mountain really stands out as it looks across the San Gabriel River Basin (East Fork) at Mt Baldy. Mt Baden Powell is considered the 4th highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, and like Mt Baldy, has very little vegetation growth toward the peak, giving the mountain a bald appearance as well.
Mt Baden Powell is one of the more popular mountains to hike on and around. The Mt Baden Powell trail, which traverses up the north face of the mountain, is also part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which runs from Mexico to Canada. Mt Baden Powell is also a favorite because it is easy to access with a parking lot right off of Highway 2, at the base of the mountain in Vincent Gap. Mt Baden Powell was also used for mining during the California Gold Rush. The Bighorn Mine Trail takes hikers around the side of Baden Powell, to the Bighorn Mine structures which also offer an amazing view of the San Gabriel River Basin (East Fork) as well as Mt Baldy and other mountains.
The mountain was named after Lord Baden Powell, who founded the World Scouting Movement. At the peak of the mountain, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) built a memorial for Lord Baden Powell.
For more information, check out our San Gabriel Mountains website on the Wrightwood CA Network.
Directions to Mt Baden Powell from Wrightwood
Take Highway 2 westbound from the town of Wrightwood to Inspiration Point. Like most mountains in the area, this is one of the best places to view Mt Baden Powell. From Inspiration Point you can continue on Highway 2, westbound, past Grassy Hollow Visitors Center, and down to the parking lot of Vincent Gap. This is the trail head to the Bighorn Mine Trail and the Mt Baden Powell Trail (both on Mt Baden Powell).
Mt Baden Powell Photos
Mt Baden Powell Maps
|