Mount Baden-Powell

6/20/16  Mount Baden-Powell is one of the most prominent peaks in the San Gabriels, and features some amazing views. Unfortunately, the views on this day were marred by smoke from a wildfire. Almost 22 miles and 6,000' gain in 90+ degree temps, plus some added excitement from the wildfire, made for a very long day.
DSC03689 Hitting the trail just after 11:00am at right around 6,000'. A late start, but it was going to be a quick day (or so I thought). The temps at the trailhead were...
Hitting the trail just after 11:00am at right around 6,000'. A late start, but it was going to be a quick day (or so I thought). The temps at the trailhead were…
DSC03690 Beautiful singletrack on the lower portion of the Windy Gap trail.
Beautiful singletrack on the lower portion of the Windy Gap trail.
DSC03692 A look up at Windy Gap. Still a long ways to go.
A look up at Windy Gap. Still a long ways to go.
DSC03698 On the way up to the gap I noticed what looked like a wildfire starting in the distance. Then by the time I was a little further up the trail, a second fire had...
On the way up to the gap I noticed what looked like a wildfire starting in the distance. Then by the time I was a little further up the trail, a second fire had…
DSC03700 Almost up to the gap.
Almost up to the gap.
DSC03703 Made it to Windy Gap at 7,588'. Smoke from the fires is starting to fill San Gabriel Canyon. So much for clear views today.
Made it to Windy Gap at 7,588'. Smoke from the fires is starting to fill San Gabriel Canyon. So much for clear views today.
DSC03706 A look to the other side of the gap, unaffected by the smoke.
A look to the other side of the gap, unaffected by the smoke.
DSC03704 On the PCT now. It was somewhere around here that I can ran across the only person I saw on the entire trail. It was a PCT thru-hiker heading North. He had just...
On the PCT now. It was somewhere around here that I can ran across the only person I saw on the entire trail. It was a PCT thru-hiker heading North. He had just…
DSC03709 There are fantastic outlooks all along the trail for the next few miles. On a clear day, you can see all the way out to the ocean and Catalina. Not so much...
There are fantastic outlooks all along the trail for the next few miles. On a clear day, you can see all the way out to the ocean and Catalina. Not so much…
DSC03711 First (hazy) views of Mt. Baldy.
First (hazy) views of Mt. Baldy.
DSC03712 First view of Mount Baden-Powell.
First view of Mount Baden-Powell.
DSC03713 Expansive views of Mt. Baldy and Iron Moutain (to the right).
Expansive views of Mt. Baldy and Iron Moutain (to the right).
DSC03718 The ridge leading up to Baden-Powell. The dips mean there's uphill on the way back, which is never fun.
The ridge leading up to Baden-Powell. The dips mean there's uphill on the way back, which is never fun.
DSC03722 Still 2.5 miles to go. It's just after 2:00pm, so I'm doing pretty well time-wise considering the heat.
Still 2.5 miles to go. It's just after 2:00pm, so I'm doing pretty well time-wise considering the heat.
DSC03724 Another canyon view filled with smoke from the fires. You can distinctly smell the fire now and I'm sure the smoke isn't helping my breathing any at this...
Another canyon view filled with smoke from the fires. You can distinctly smell the fire now and I'm sure the smoke isn't helping my breathing any at this…
DSC03726 Up and down the humps of the ridgeline.
Up and down the humps of the ridgeline.
DSC03727 A look down the East Fork of San Gabriel Canyon. One of the deepest canyons in the country and deeper than the Grand Canyon. Also a great look at San Antonio...
A look down the East Fork of San Gabriel Canyon. One of the deepest canyons in the country and deeper than the Grand Canyon. Also a great look at San Antonio…
DSC03732 Approaching the Mount Baden-Powell summit.
Approaching the Mount Baden-Powell summit.
DSC03734 Made it at around 3:30pm. 9,399'. Here is the tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts.
Made it at around 3:30pm. 9,399'. Here is the tribute to Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts.
DSC03737 The smoky view of Mt. Baldy and Iron Mountain from the Baden-Powell summit.
The smoky view of Mt. Baldy and Iron Mountain from the Baden-Powell summit.