This was my third visit to Mount Baden Powell. It is the first high peak I ever climbed. I still remember reaching the top in 2021, feeling triumphant, doing something I was not sure I could do. I put one foot in front of the other, making it there, signifying a change in the trajectory of my life. I could overcome challenges and do things that are not easy, such as climb a mountain, if I put my mind to it.
As I walked my way to the top and was greeted by a big American flag, flying high on the summit, I knew this climb signified everything for me about freedom. I was at a pivotal point in my life, undergoing so many changes, choosing new paths, and walking in freedom.
So here I was again, at the parking area at the trailhead to Mount Baden Powell, named for Lord Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts. I parked across the street displaying my forest service pass, to avoid paying a $5 fee to Big Pines, who maintain the restrooms and parking lot there.
I headed on across the street, to the trailhead, which is also the way to Big Horn Mine, another very popular hike. It was just about 8am as I headed to the right, on up the trail to Mount Baden Powell.
I was feeling so optimistic today, since I had recently started to feel much better physically, and hike more. A year ago, is when I developed a back injury, and uncovered an associated back problem, which is fairly common. Since that time, I have steadily had less pain, and felt more like a hiker again. Still I need to take it easy. I steadily headed on up the steep and forested incline, along the switchbacks.
It was a beautiful and sunny morning. I knew the trail tends to get warm, and I was hopeful that my start was early enough to avoid the heat, at least on the uphill climb.
The first few miles are heavily forested, so I had plenty of breaks from the sun, to cool off on the way up the trail.
I was feeling pretty good after the first mile or so, and hopeful I would make it up this steep climb one more time.
The scenery here is unique to other trails, since the higher you climb, you actually feel it. The views only seem to get better, and I always enjoy the serene beauty of the backlit pines.
The desert views here are another unique aspect of this trail, gazing off towards the desert basin of Palmdale and Lancaster, both part of the most western edges of the Mojave Desert.
Each tree is so unique, growing high up, in the loose granite soil. Each tells its own story of survival.
The Limber Pine, ancient, far older than all the rest, are ones I always stop to contemplate for a moment. The passage of time, a thousand years is right here in their bark.
They are the elder pines of this mountain, and their story of resilience is much older than the rest, stretching back hundreds and even over a thousand years.
I look forward to enjoying peaceful scenes like this. It reminds you to just stop moving for a moment, and contemplate things for a moment.
The incline begins to level out a bit along the last mile or so.
I was now almost to the ridge, and still feeling pretty good.
I am a treethusiast, and love the scent of pines. These trees, with their myriad shapes, and cones, are each a little bit different. There are actually over a hundred species of pines in the world. In California, only 7% of forests are old growth pines, like the ones seen here on Mount Baden Powell.
By 10:15 am I had reached the ridge-line.
I found a perfect Christmas tree.
I could now see the summit of Mount Baden, straight on ahead.
The Mojave views are even more spectacular along this stretch.
The skinny ridgeback drops off sharply to the south side, so I always tread carefully here, and try not to get carried away by all this beauty.
I reached one of my favorite highlights of the trail about a .25 mile from the summit, the Willy Waldron Tree, a Limber Pine over 1500 years old.
I finally made it to the peak by 10:30 am. Mount Baden Powell summit #3 complete!
It was a beautiful clear day, and I had this summit all to myself once more.
Mount Baden Powell (Elev 9,407 ft ) summit #3 complete!
Why not jog?
Well, why not? I was feeling so inspired by all this beauty, and full of energy. I thought why not jog down the mountain, as I had wanted to do again for so long. It was this trail run that really did a number on me. Oh how I love running on this trail, downward mostly. The uphill is pretty intense. I am always awestruck when I see people run past me on the uphill. You work up to that.
It was hard to reckon, but this would be the last time I would be running down Mt Baden Powell. This 4 mile trail run, ultimately resulted in taking me out of commission a whole month, blowing out my knee. There would be no hiking and definitely no jogging in my near future. Things would have to change, and I would need to take care in making these kinds of decisions. It was another turning point for me, through I did not realize it yet at that moment.
Running down the mountain turned out to be a critically bad decision. It served to end my hiking plans, for all of July. My knee got injured and inflamed by the jogging. It was a reminder to slow down, enjoy the views, and a reminder that my trail-running days are on hold, possibly indefinitely.
Update: Three months later, I am hiking, and my knees have finally recovered to a large extent, though still not 100%. Still not trail-running or planning to. I am now content to just hike and enjoy the views.
Note to self: Take care of what you have and don’t push it too much. Be smart about it!
My first big climb
When I first climbed this peak, I just cried. It was 2021, and I was battling so many obstacles in my life. I was truly having a tough time. So this mountain is a place that as I return to it, and this summit is a meaningful one for me. It was also the last big climb I did before my back injury unfolded a year ago. So here I was, a year later, healed for the most part, to the extent I felt like “I can do this!” I had recently hiked to a few other peaks and was feeling like I was ready for one more trip up the mountain.
As I write this, it is 2025, and yet again, I am facing big changes in my life. I am coming to terms with things, trying to be true to myself, and learning to take care of the body I was given. They say your body is a temple, so we can’t just abuse it, without consequence. We all have a purpose, and it is hard to carry out our purpose in life, if we overdo it. So I am trying to take care with my steps, the choices I make with my hikes, so I can continue to enjoying hiking, hopefully for years to come.
All in all it was a beautiful day in the wilderness. Until next time Mount Baden Powell!
I hope you enjoyed reading this, and it is helpful in knowing what to expect, should you decide to visit here.
Leave No Trace
Just be sure to come prepared and follow Leave No Trace principles to keep the wilderness pristine for future hikers.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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