[pct-l] Mt Baden-Powell Bypass Option

[kevin at antelecom.net (Kevin Corcoran)]

Northbounders will indeed face a somewhat daunting Mt Baden-Powell 
this year;  and Hwy 2 is on the northern slope where chutes send 
avalanches down from above. On upper B-P there's a steep, deep 
cornice that builds every heavy snow year - probably 20 ft dp at 
about the 8800 ft level -  right over the trail, and it has to be 
climbed up and over. It is steep, but going around it may be somewhat 
possible on the right side (west).  NB'ers from 1997 and 1998 
probably remember it.  It can be made, just work your way to the 
right and regain a route on the ridgeline.
Unless you have a ride from Wrightwood to either Mill Creek Summit or 
Agua Dulce, a bypass is as follows:
MAP D5: At Vincent Gap, across the road from the B-P trailhead 
parking area find the road heading DOWN to Camp Fenner.  It descends 
quickly, partly on the sunny side. CF is a youth prison camp about 3 
miles down; just before (above) Camp Fenner you'll pass Big Rock CG. 
 From Camp Fenner the road is paved. Continue downhill on the road 
(now off of Map D5) about 3 miles or so to a gravel road coming in on 
the left side marked "SOUTH FORK CG". South Fk CG is about 1-1.5 
miles up this road.
 From SFCG, hike straight up the South Fork trail to Islip Saddle (See 
Map D6) in, I believe, 4 miles of steady climbing.  If you can make 
it to the highway, according to Donna's source Hwy 2 is presently 
plowed open, and still should be in May. You might decide to bypass 
Mt Williamson when you get to Hwy 2, and relink up with the trail at 
the next highway crossing or at Eagles' Roost Picnic Area.  Ascending 
Islip Saddle won't be necessarily easy if the upper canyon is still 
buried in snow, but the lower half (apprx) will be snow-free. Be 
careful, but IMHO it'd be safer than Hwy 2, and this bypass is about 
the same mileage as staying on the PCT from Vincent Gap.
Avoid camping at SFCG on weekends if the gate on the road in is open 
to vehicles.  Actually that's a good practice for ANY campgrounds in 
this part of the world if you have intentions of sleeping.
Barring any late snowstorms, from Mill Creek Summit (Mile 419) north 
to the Sierras should be entirely snow-free.

Hike On!
Kevin Corcoran
PCTA Sec E Area Coordinator