Hiked: 8/1/2025
Distance: 14.2 miles round trip on trail and use trail
Summit Elevation: 9390' (Baden-Powell), 7404' (Ross)
Elevation Gain: 5598'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 4.4
Round trip time: 9 hours
Recommended water: 136 oz.
Parking/Fees: $5 Day Hike Fee or Annual Pass
Difficulty: Strenuous
The easiest way to Ross Mountain (HPS #102) is going over Mt. Baden-Powell, then descending over 2000' down a ridge to Ross. It was a big training day. I parked at Vincent Gap and displayed my Forest Service annual pass. I was approached by an employee of Big Pines Recreation, who informed me that the forest service had auctioned off the parking lot and it was owned by his employer. He stated forest service passes will be honored until 1/1/2026, then Big Pines passes will be required. The current Big Pines day use fee was $5 and a machine that issued passes was already installed.
This was my third trip to Baden-Powell. I climbed the many switchbacks meeting a few parties on their way down. I noticed a couple of well defined use trails that shortcut the lower switchbacks that I didn't remember from my last visit. I reached the summit of Baden-Powell in about 2 hours, noting it was just a midpoint rest stop. I signed the formal register, then started down the south ridge.
I could see Ross Mountain at the end of two steep drops. Before taking a dozen steps, I was already thinking about the climb back out. I picked up a use trail immediately that went all the way ro Ross. The slopes were mostly open with scattered pines. Burned trees and charcoal littered some areas, replaced by young poodle dog sprouts. At the bottom of the first drop was a mile long plateau covered with knee high manzanita. The second slope dropped even more steeply than the first. The use trail tried to work in short switchbacks in places, but often went directly down. From the bottom of the second drop, there was a little roller coaster section where the slope narrowed, then a 100' climb to Ross. At first, I walked by the register tucked behind a small tree. I found it shortly after. The register was in a Superman lunch box. The summit was long and flat. Views were great toward Mount San Antonio and friends, and there was a close up view of Iron Mountain's nightmarish north ridge. Copter Ridge ran parallel, with Hawkins Ridge the next one over. It had a very heart-of-the-Gabes feel. After some procrastination, I took on the crux: getting back to Baden-Powell. The first slope was the toughest, and I took frequent breaks. A cool breeze had been blowing all day, keeping the temps reasonable. I realized when I reached the plateau that I was a little short on calories, leading me to ration my food. It was a slow plod up the second slope but the worst was behind me. I didn't stop while passing over Baden-Powell the second time. Once I started down the north side of Baden-Powell, I began to relax and was on cruise control the rest of the way.
Note: The Sierra Club rates this hike very strenuous. I felt it was comparable with San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek trail, that they rate strenuous. Maybe the mental aspect of significant gain on the way back was a factor in their thinking.
