San Juan Loop Trail Hike

Mt. Baden-Powell Hiking Trip

Troop 167

Date: June 10, 2000

Departure Time: 6:30 AM (departure from Zeyan School). Be at Vincent Gap Trail Head by 8:30 AM

Event: Training hike in the Angeles National Forest. This hike will earn the Mt. Baden-Powell patch.

Trail Head: Take the 91 freeway east to the I-15 freeway. Proceed north on the I-15 freeway and exit HWY 138. Drive approximately 8.6 miles west on HWY 138 to the Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2). Head west on HWY 2 for approximately 14 miles. Park in the Vincent Gap parking area (mile marker 74.8) on the south side of the road.

Driving distance one way is approximately 91 miles, and should take approximately 2 hrs to get there. Elevation at trail head is approximately 6593 ft.

Please call if you can’t make it, so we will not wait needlessly.

Hiking Distance: Approximately 8 miles round trip.

Total Elevation Gain / Loss: Approx. 2800 ft gain, 2800 ft loss. The peak is at an elevation of 9399 ft.

Approximate Hiking Time: Approximately 2.5 hours from trail head to Lamel Spring, and another 2.5 hours to the peak. The hike down from the top should take only 3 hours

What To Bring: Wear your uniform for car travel only (we will leave them in the cars). Hike in something comfortable. Boots are recommended but not required. Remember this is a day hike, so pack accordingly. Make sure to bring your canteen(s) filled because there may not be water at the trailhead. Two quarts of water per person is recommended. Remember to bring appropriate clothing since it will be warm during the day with cool breezes at the peak. Pack your own lunch for Saturday. Some compass work will also be done along the trail so be prepared.

Return Home: Approximately 5 PM on Saturday

Description Of Hike: This is a fun hike in the San Gabriel Mountains (Angeles National Forest) and will earn us the Mt Baden Powell award. The hike starts from the large wooden sign for the Baden-Powell Trail, and is actually part of the Pacific Crest Trail. The trail starts up some wooden steps and starts the rapid ascent quickly with several switchbacks (there are approximately 42 to the peak). At this elevation, the forest is filled with oak, Jeffery pines, with a few sugar pines and cedars included. After 1.5 – 2.0 miles there is an unmarked trail to the only water source in the area, Lamel Spring. After traveling approx. 2 miles from the start, white firs start taking over the landscape and later lodge poles. The trail now starts to steepen and the switchbacks become closer and closer together. After about 3.5 miles of hiking, limber pines start appearing. Just before the final climb to the summit, the Pacific Crest trail branches off to the right (toward Little Jimmy; 6 miles). On top there is the usual sign-in box as well as a flag pole and a Boy Scout monument. The view is well worth the trip.

References: 101 Hikes in Southern California by Jerry Schad; Trails of the Angeles by John Robinson

Map - USGS 7.5 - min Crystal Lake

Angeles National Forest Office – (626) 574-1613

Map From Garden Grove to Vincent Gap Trail Head