Trail Reviews

[DesertRat]

I found Pine MT. to be harder, almost the same elevation in less miles. Plus those ridges and loose gravel scare me a bit  If you can do Pine than you can do Baden Powell.

Hwy. 2 is still closed at Vincent Gap which is such a bummer. I'd like to try the hike from Dawson Saddle but I never can get myself up early enough to drive all the way around.

One thing I forgot to mention. I didn't see any wildlife on the trail but on the way back to town I did see a bobcat crossing the road. So neat! I've never seen one. He darted across right in front of my car but I was able to break in time not to hit it. He gets to the other side of the street and just pauses on the curb giving me a look like "how dare you intrude on my space". Nice way to end my hike 

[Deadhead]

I finally got to hike up flume Canyon.  Thank you to BigPines for pointing me in the right direction to find the trail.  I wish I took my camera.  Water is still running and it is shaded by trees for the most part.  Came upon a large bear deposit about a half mile below the waterfall and followed the tracks until they disappeared a little after the fall.  The tracks were huge.  I wear an 11 and a half boot and they were at least as long as my feet.  Past the waterfall the trail becomes smaller and smaller ( pretty much just an animal trail to follow).  About half a mile past the waterfall the brush got too thick and tall for me to want to proceed.  I could see the top of the canyon was close but didn't want to bushwack through brush that was so thick and tall.  Seemed like a perfect hiding place for "Yogi".   I would rate that canyon right up there with Sheep Canyon for local hikes that show the true wild side of Wrightwood. 

[Nolena]

"How much harder is Baden Powell than Pine Mountain?"

You might want to try hiking to Lamel Spring first. It's only part way up, but gives you a good sense of the trail, and there's nice fresch water there.
And keep an eye out for sheep and their prints. They like to drink there.
I'd love to go if I have some time off.

[hill okie]

Are you sure that there is water there? Last I was there, the spring was just a damp seephole. Maybe take water along til we get more rain / snow?

[Nolena]

Bummer. I haven't been there recently to see how much water there is.

[mechanicalpencil]

Would someone recommend an easy trail for me?  I am fairly out of shape (I used to do the Blue Ridge Trail, but its been couple of years), and I would like to start hiking again.  Something fairly level but shaded would be great.  Maybe 2 miles total trip.  And geographically challenged as I am, I need simple directions to get there.  Also, do I need a pass and where do I get one?

[K9luvr]

I think an easy fairly flat hike near WW is the "east table mountain" road (that is what the Forest Service called it, I think the locals call it something else).  It is halfway up the road to the Table Mountain Campground.  There is a big switchback and a pull off where their is a large white pipe (8" well casing pipe) gate.  It heads off east back towards WW.  The gate is not closed in the summer but is gated in the winter.  I hiked it with my dogs a couple of times.  It really isn't a "trail" but a lot of folks hike or ride their bikes on it. 

[ForestGal]

I think an easy fairly flat hike near WW is the "east table mountain" road (that is what the Forest Service called it, I think the locals call it something else).  It is halfway up the road to the Table Mountain Campground.  There is a big switchback and a pull off where their is a large white pipe (8" well casing pipe) gate.  It heads off east back towards WW.  The gate is not closed in the summer but is gated in the winter.  I hiked it with my dogs a couple of times.  It really isn't a "trail" but a lot of folks hike or ride their bikes on it. 

This is a great suggestion, if you are looking for something fairly level and shady.  I've always called it "McLellan Flat Road".  Don't know the official name.  It's a road, not a trail, and it's nice because the miles are painted on the pavement, in 1/2 mile increments, I believe.  The road is 3 miles to the top, where there is some equipment (JPL I think).  The first 2 miles are fairly level, and the last mile steepens.  Since the miles are marked, you can turn around at any point and know how far you've gone.  Used to be buggy in the summer, but this year has been so dry that the bugs aren't bad at all.  Lots of folks walk their dogs on that road.

Yes, you do need an adventure pass to park at McLellan Flat.  You can get them at Jensen's and the Mini-Mart, and at Big Pines Ranger Station if it's open.  I just get an annual pass and keep it in my glove box, since I'm up there a lot.