Silver Moccasin Trail
Encyclopedia
The Silver Moccasin Trail is a 53 miles (85.3 km) trail located in the San Gabriel Mountains
, just northeast of Los Angeles
. It begins at Chantry Flat
Recreation Area above the city of Arcadia, California
, traversing upward and down through several canyons and along the high ridges of the Angeles National Forest
. This trail connects Mt. Baden-Powell
, Mount Burnham
, Throop Peak
and Mount Hawkins. It comes to its highest point of 9399 feet (2,864.8 m) at Mount Baden-Powell after which point it descends to its terminus at Vincent Gap on the Angeles Crest Highway
near Wrightwood.
have placed a monument to their founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell.
The Silver Moccasin Trail started as a series of Indian trails originally created by the local Native Americans
(probably Tongva), but its use was continued by Anglo settlers who either hunted or hiked along its route. In 1942, the Los Angeles Area Council
of Boy Scouts established a designated route as the Silver Moccasin Trail, and any Scouts who completed the hike, usually involving several days travel, were qualified to receive the Silver Moccasin Award. Boy Scouts, especially those who are enrolled in “hiking troops,” walk this trail usually as part of a five-day backpack trip.
Alternate starting points, or trailheads, have been established for the SMT more than likely due to overuse or overcrowding at Chantry Flat, which has somewhat reduced the adventuresome attractiveness of the younger, less-traveled version. However, sections of the trail which are only 8 miles (12.9 km) to 10 miles (16.1 km) in length while reaching the Baden-Powell summit qualify it as a 20 miles (32.2 km) (flatland) hike due to gains in elevation which are about 5000 feet (1,524 m). The Baden-Powell portions of the hike are also beneficial for acclimation to altitudes for beginning hikers who may experience mild altitude sickness
between 8000 feet (2,438.4 m) and 9000 feet (2,743.2 m).
The medal is earned by completing the patch, then completing 12 hours of conservation work.
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains Range is located in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County, California, United States. The mountain range lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert, with Interstate 5 to the west and Interstate 15 to the east...
, just northeast of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. It begins at Chantry Flat
Chantry Flat
Chantry Flat is a designated "Recreation Area" within the Angeles National Forest, about three miles into Big Santa Anita Canyon, and is closely associated with the towns of Arcadia and Sierra Madre, CA. The flat itself houses a large public picnic area, and is the starting point for several...
Recreation Area above the city of Arcadia, California
Arcadia, California
Arcadia is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and located approximately northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley and at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains....
, traversing upward and down through several canyons and along the high ridges of the Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest of the U.S. National Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, southern California. It was established on July 1, 1908, incorporating the first San Bernardino National Forest and parts of the former Santa Barbara and San Gabriel...
. This trail connects Mt. Baden-Powell
Mount Baden-Powell (California)
Mount Baden-Powell is a peak in the San Gabriel Mountains of California named for the founder of the World Scouting Movement, Lord Baden-Powell. It was officially recognized by the USGS at a dedication ceremony in 1931....
, Mount Burnham
Mount Burnham
Mount Burnham is one of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains. It is in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. It is named for Frederick Russell Burnham the famous American military scout who taught scoutcraft to Robert Baden-Powell and became one of the inspirations for the founding of the Boy...
, Throop Peak
Throop Peak
Throop is a peak in the Angeles National Forest. The high peak provides views of both the Mojave Desert and the Los Angeles Basin all the way to the ocean. The peak was named for Amos G. Throop, founder of Caltech, formerly called Throop College.-Access:...
and Mount Hawkins. It comes to its highest point of 9399 feet (2,864.8 m) at Mount Baden-Powell after which point it descends to its terminus at Vincent Gap on the Angeles Crest Highway
Angeles Crest Highway
The Angeles Crest Highway is a two-lane segment of California State Route 2 in the United States. The road is in length, with its western terminus at the intersection at Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge and its eastern terminus at State Route 138 northeast of Wrightwood...
near Wrightwood.
Background
The landscape of the Silver Moccasin Trail varies from lowland chaparral slopes, to oak-lined canyons, to the fir and pine forests of Mt. Baden-Powell, where several Southern California councils of the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
have placed a monument to their founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell.
The Silver Moccasin Trail started as a series of Indian trails originally created by the local Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
(probably Tongva), but its use was continued by Anglo settlers who either hunted or hiked along its route. In 1942, the Los Angeles Area Council
Los Angeles Area Council
Founded in 1915, the Los Angeles Area Council serves most of the City of Los Angeles as well as several other cities in the greater Los Angeles area. It is one of five Boy Scouts of America councils in Los Angeles County, California. Since its founding in 1915, the Los Angeles Area Council has...
of Boy Scouts established a designated route as the Silver Moccasin Trail, and any Scouts who completed the hike, usually involving several days travel, were qualified to receive the Silver Moccasin Award. Boy Scouts, especially those who are enrolled in “hiking troops,” walk this trail usually as part of a five-day backpack trip.
Alternate starting points, or trailheads, have been established for the SMT more than likely due to overuse or overcrowding at Chantry Flat, which has somewhat reduced the adventuresome attractiveness of the younger, less-traveled version. However, sections of the trail which are only 8 miles (12.9 km) to 10 miles (16.1 km) in length while reaching the Baden-Powell summit qualify it as a 20 miles (32.2 km) (flatland) hike due to gains in elevation which are about 5000 feet (1,524 m). The Baden-Powell portions of the hike are also beneficial for acclimation to altitudes for beginning hikers who may experience mild altitude sickness
Altitude sickness
Altitude sickness—also known as acute mountain sickness , altitude illness, hypobaropathy, or soroche—is a pathological effect of high altitude on humans, caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude...
between 8000 feet (2,438.4 m) and 9000 feet (2,743.2 m).
Segments
The following segments are listed from the Chantry Flats starting point to the Vincent Gap terminus and show "via routes" and the one-way mileage:- Chantry Flat to West Fork CG via Gabrielino TrailGabrielino TrailThe Gabrielino Trail is a United States National Recreation Trail that runs through the Angeles National Forest with trailheads at Windsor Avenue in Altadena, California on the west end and Chantry Flat, just north of Arcadia, California, on the east...
... 9 miles (14.5 km) - West Fork CG to Angeles Crest Hwy via Shortcut Canyon ... 3 miles (4.8 km)
- Angeles Crest Hwy to Chilao Flat through Charlton Flat ... 7 miles (11.3 km)
- Chilao Flat to Three Points passes Horse Flats CG ... 5 miles (8 km)
- Three Points to Cloudburst Summit via Pacific Crest TrailPacific Crest TrailThe Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
... 4 miles (6.4 km) - Cloudburst Summit to Islip Saddle via Pacific Crest Trail ... 11 miles (17.7 km)
- Islip Saddle to Mt Baden-Powell via Pacific Crest Trail ... 10 miles (16.1 km)
- Mt Baden-Powell to Vincent Gap via Pacific Crest Trail ... 4 miles (6.4 km)
Silver Moccasin Award
To earn the Silver Moccasin Award patch a youth (at least age 12) or adult must:- complete one of 3 specified routes: Chantry Flat to Vincent Gap, specific trail near Silliman Crest or Sugarloaf Valley
- earn 2 weekend awards within 90 days of hike start
- make a trip along the Silver Moccasin Trail of at least 5 days
The medal is earned by completing the patch, then completing 12 hours of conservation work.