Day 28 - Baden Powell

Miles hiked: 14.3
Campsite location: little jimmy campground
Weather: 60s and sunny
One word to describe the day: achievement

This morning we got a ride to the trail head from a trail angel named Brian that lives in wrightwood. We only hiked 14 mi today but we summited Baden powell. It is the last mountain we will cross with snow in the California desert section. The person that put in the boot track went straight up the mountain, ignoring the switchbacks entirely. But it was nice and direct! I use my micro spikes. The snow wasn't too slushy so they were able to get a good hold with each step.

I learned that Baden Powell is the guy that started boy scouts of America. So I guess he has a mountain named after him! Usually there is an American flag flying at the top of this mountain, but it was frozen solid under the snow. Some of my trailmates wanted to get it out and put it up on the flag pole, which felt fitting for memorial Day. Eventually they succeeded and we all got our memorial day photo op on the summit.

The descent down to the campground was long and slow. The trail was not in great shape so we did a lot of climbing over logs and rocks and route finding. But was able to avoid most of the snow. The views were gorgeous and I'm glad we did it! Some people are still road walking highway 2 which is actually close to cars still because maintenance needs to happen on it. It was a rough winter so it sounds like there were some rock slides on it.

It's going to get cold tonight. Probably near freezing. But my bag has been doing well so far and is keeping me nice and toasty.Read more