Stats

Start: Lamel Stream – Mile 375.7
End: Cooper Canyon Camp – Mile 395.2
Elevation Max: 9,316
Elevation Min: 5,745
Elevation Change: 4,417 up & 5,973 down
Average Heart Rate: 118
Walking Time: 6 hrs 45 minutes
Date: 4/25/2022

The Walk

It didn’t rain last night. But I was glad to have my tent up because it was chilly. When I woke up I opened my tent door and the sun was rising right in front of me. Absolutely beautiful.

For breakfast I tried oatmeal and breakfast essentials in cold water. It was surprisingly good! I think I found my go to breakfast. It only takes 3 minutes to make and drink.

I got on trail around 7:30. It should be early enough to get up the summit if Mt. Baden-Powell before the snow turned to slush. Hard snow is much easier and quicker to walk across. And your feet stay warm. Plus microspikes aren’t much help in the slush. Because there isn’t anything to grip.

I was thankful that my climb last night brought me halfway up the mountain. I put on my microspikes and started walking. The first mile wasn’t too bad. Snow was patchy. The trail was fairly steep and warmed me up quickly.

But the second mile was all snow. The trail didn’t exist. Just a bunch of footprints up the mountain, the trail did switchbacks, but the footprints went right up. There were 5-6 other hikers just ahead of me hiking up the footpath.

So I plugged away. And enjoyed the climb. One lady who was climbing was very happy to be out there and positive even though we were all tired. It gave me a boost and I kept climbing up.

I’d pick a tree ahead and walk to that spot, then take a 10 second break. After repeating a handful of times I was at the top!

The views were beautiful. Named for the founder of Scouting, Mount Baden-Powell is one of the more popular peaks on a side trail from the Pacific Crest Trail. At 9,406 feet (2,867 meters) it is the fourth highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains.

I took a break on top and didn’t have any trouble from the elevation. This was below 10k feet. Then headed out for the rest of the day. The trail was filled with patches of snow for the next 5 miles, but nothing like the climb up.

Along the descent the views were still vast and enjoyable. I walked across the ridge most of the day.

Next was some downhill to a detour road walk. A section of trail was closed to prevent damage to the habitat of an endangerd toad species. So I did a 3 mile road walk, followed by another 3ish miles to connnect back with the pct. The trail was nice and didn’t add too many extra miles.

Once back on the PCT I followed a river 2 miles to camp. I was wiped out after that day. I hadn’t researched ahead what the day was, but in total it was over 10k of elevation change. A lot! More than I’m used to for sure.

I was surprised to see nobody at the campground. It was only 5, so I pitched a tent and set up, I considered cowboy camping, but bugs were pestering me. The same swarm of gnats wouldn’t leave me alone since I got there.

Two other hikers came into camp and we had dinner at the picnic tables, picnic tables are always a nice bonus. They were also from Chicago!

Everyone was tired so I headed to bed right after dinner. I don’t have solid plans for the rest of my trip into Acton. I’ll either do 2 or 3 days. BUT I need cell service to pick my bears season tickets at noon tomorrow. Today I didnt have much service. Only 2 times, and even then it was spotty.

Checking ahead I see a comment about 2 bars of Verizon in 16.5 miles. That means I need an early start and a big morning! 16.5 before noon, so I can pick out my tickets, I guess I’ll set my first alarm of the trip.