>> Back to Mt. Baden-Powell from Dawson Gap -- Mt. Baden-Powell from Dawson Gap: Hiking Trail Guide
9.25 miles
2800 feet gain
7/10
Wrightwood ,CA (92397) 45.46 miles from you Weather Map
Drive east on the Angeles Crest Highway (2) past Islip Saddle to Dawson Gap.
or
Drive West on the Angeles Crest Highway (2) past Vincent Gap to Dawson Gap.
There is a big Cal Trans shed on the North Side of the road, there are three spots with ample parking along either side of the highway. Park and the trail begins across from the shed.
This area of the PCT floats above the highway. I have never hiked through here on a weekend when the road from Islip Saddle to Vincent Gap has been open, but I would imagine the motorcycle noise is terribly disturbing, especially on a Sunday.
So, if you are like me and have the luxury to hike this area during the week, do so, there are hardly any cars or people even in the forest.
This is a great hike through one of the best places in the Angeles Forest. This is wonderful high country hiking along one of the best sections of the PCT in Southern California.
This trail is pretty straightforward, lots of steady up grade to the top, you can venture off on the side peaks as well. Throop and Burnham only add 350 feet in elevation gain and .5 to your mileage. Throop is worthwhile, Burnham is just a bump on the trail, but a must if you are peak bagging.
The view from Baden Powell is spectacular, even on a day obscured by fires, or haze. The high country is amazing.
You can even choose to follow along the ridgeline the entire way if you wish. One of the most outstanding things about this trail is that you can see where you are going and where you have been along the entire route. In my book, that always exemplifies a great trail.