Hike Log

“40 Dusty Switchbacks On the Trail, 40 Dusty Switchbacks, Knock Each One out as you round the bend, 40 Dusty Switchbacks on the Trail”

Trailhead:

Vincent Gap

Type of Hike:

Day hike

Trail Conditions:

Trail in good condition

ROAD:

Road suitable for all vehicles

Bugs:

No bugs

Snow:

Snow free

Hi everyone, I have been wanting to do BP for years. I am so glad I finally did, as I loved it.  I met my hiking partner at the Deer Springs Rd., Park N Ride in San Marcos at 5:00 a.m.  With potty, beverage and food stops, we got to the Vincent Gap parking lot at 7:30. It is a huge parking lot with ample parking, and being that it was Wednesday, there was maybe 15 cars in the parking lot.  It was wonderful!!  We got our gear together and started hiking at 7:45.  The trail from the parking lot is the PCT.  The trails starts at the parking lot at an elevation around 6,400′. I read about the 40 switchbacks. Being a fairly avid hiker, switchbacks don't bother me.  Psychologically, for me, I like them as it take the elevation equation out, as mentally you feel like you are gradually going up instead of going straight up and up, as many trails do.   The trail is in great condition but it is dry and dusty as many So. CA trails are, so we were filthy when we were done. I do not wear gators when I hike.  The trail has patches of rocks and small, lose scree but nothing that is unmanageable.  The ascent is gradual due to the switchbacks and although strenuous from the overall elevation, but we felt it was a fairly easy and straightforward hike and trail with nothing too technical but we hike regularly.   The last push to the summit, reminded me a bit of Baldy.  The summit is large and flat.   I loved the nice monument at the top erected in honor of Lord Baden-Powell who started the Boy Scouts of America. The BP sign was intact, and there was a nice new flag.  I LOVED the summit.  My friend was having stomach issues that happens sometimes when you do an endurance sport, especially at elevation, so she was slower than usual, and I kept stopping to wait for her.  I summited about 10:10 or so, and she was about 15 minutes behind me.  It was a gorgeous day with temps in the high 70's when we got to the summit, so we stayed at the summit for probably an hour or so.  It was definitely not crowded.  We talked to 6 or 8 people at the summit. Ate lunch. Walked further out on some points and rocks to get a better view of the San Gabriels around BP.   It is gorgeous and is now my favorite hike behind San Jacinto.  I think we left to descend about 11:45 and were back at the car at 1:10.  It is usually faster descending. We met a nice retired fire fighter, David, the kilt wearing hiker, that I know others have met.  He is a Wrightwood local and told us where to eat healthy in town, and joined us for lunch.  I love this trail and will definitely be doing it again but want to do Dawson's or Islap trails next time.

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