Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

California Trails

Pacific Crest Trail: CA Section 12

CA 2 to THREE POINTS: This 25-mile leg has a mad list of peaks. Start by climbing 2,000 feet up Mt. Baden-Powell with views unfolding to the Sierra Nevada. Then zigzag the swelling ridges of the San Gabriel Crest.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

None
None
None
None

Trail Facts

  • Distance: 40.2

Waypoints

PCT211

Location: 34.372433, -117.710236

Inspiration Point at CA 2 (Angels Crest Highway); down road to SE is Wrightwood, CA, a full-service trail town — possibly the most hiker-friendly outpost on the PCT. Head W to continue on the PCT.

PCT212

Location: 34.376385, -117.722054

Grassy Hollow Visitor’s Center

PCT213

Location: 34.379452, -117.726967

Road turnout; PCT crosses road here

PCT214

Location: 34.38205, -117.741432

Jackson Lake Spur

PCT215

Location: 34.37365, -117.752151

Cross Angel’s Crest Highway @ Vincent Gap; road is closed from here as of 2006; bathrooms

PCT216

Location: 34.368817, -117.757569

Spur to Laurel Springs

PCT217

Location: 34.359617, -117.763803

Spur to summit of Mt. Baden Powell on L; PCT stays R

PCT218

Location: 34.3586, -117.764647

Summit of Mt. Baden-Powell

PCT219

Location: 34.352933, -117.796769

Junction to Dawson Saddle

PCT220

Location: 34.34015, -117.813186

Hawkins Ridge Trail

PCT221

Location: 34.343369, -117.829283

Windy Gap Trail junction

PCT222

Location: 34.344898, -117.8293

Spur to Little Jimmy Spring

PCT223

Location: 34.345367, -117.829468

Little Jimmy Spring; one of the best springs on the trail; nice cold flow, benches and shade

PCT224

Location: 34.347133, -117.830781

Little Jimmy Campground; bathrooms; home to some very smart and fearless bears

PCT225

Location: 34.357033, -117.850517

Islip Saddle at CA 2; closed parking area with bathrooms

PCT226

Location: 34.361831, -117.870269

CA 2

PCT227

Location: 34.355969, -117.87735

CA 2; metal shed and start of road walk; detour around endangered species closure in 2006 — check for current closures

PCT228

Location: 34.345066, -117.914114

Campground with water and bathrooms; PCT purists take Buckhardt trail N to rejoin official trail; save miles by staying with road walk to cloudburst summit; can’t miss: tiny ski resorts on the way to cloudburst

PCT229

Location: 34.351501, -117.935097

End detour @ Cloudburst Summit

PCT230

Location: 34.3521, -117.945732

Cross CA Hwy 2

PCT231

Location: 34.352249, -117.957787

Camp Glenwood Boy Scout Camp; nice camping with tables, water and fire pits if camp is not in session

PCT232

Location: 34.342693, -117.983505

Cross CA 2

PCT233

Location: 34.343525, -117.983253

PCT meets Three Points Trailhead

More PCT: Next Section | Previous Section

Summit Marker

Location: 34.35825, -117.764686

BACKPACKER’s map contributor stands atop Mt. Baden-Powell, named after the founder of the Boy Scouts. ©Jack Haskel

San Gabriel Crest

Location: 34.358016, -117.764533

Hazy views over the folds of the San Gabrial Mountains. ©Jack Haskel

Pines and Peaks

Location: 34.357719, -117.764463

The view over the San Gabriels from Mount Baden-Powell. ©Jack Haskel

Road Walk

Location: 34.355792, -117.877044

A PCT’er pound the pavement on CA 2 for a detour around an endangered species closure in 2006. ©Jack Haskel

How to Pack for Backcountry Skiing

Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack.

Keywords: