Ross Mountain
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:37 pm
The easiest way to Ross Mountain (HPS #102) is going over Mt. Baden-Powell, then descending over 2000' down a ridge. It was training day. I parked at Vincent Gap and displayed my Forest Service annual pass. I was approached by an employee of Big Pines Recreation, who informed me that the forest service had auctioned off the parking lot and it was owned by his employer. He stated forest service passes will be honored until 1/1/2026, then Big Pines passes will be required. The current Big Pines day use fee was $5 and a machine that issued passes was already installed. I reached the summit of Baden-Powell in about 2 hours, noting it was just a midpoint rest stop. I signed the formal register, then started down the south ridge.
I could see Ross Mountain at the end of two steep drops. Before taking a dozen steps, I was already thinking about the climb back out. I picked up a use trail immediately that went all the way ro Ross. The slopes were mostly open with scattered pines. Burned trees and charcoal littered some areas, replaced by young poodle dog sprouts. At the bottom of the first drop was a half-mile plateau covered with knee high manzanita. The second slope dropped even more steeply than the first. The use trail tried to work in short switchbacks in places, but often went directly down. From the bottom of the second drop, there was a little roller coaster section where the slope narrowed, then a 100' climb to Ross. At first, I walked by the register tucked behind a small tree. I found it shortly after. The register was in a Superman lunch box. The summit was long and flat. Views were great toward Mount San Antonio and friends, and there was a close up view of Iron Mountain's nightmarish north ridge. Copter Ridge ran parallel, with Hawkins Ridge the next one over. It had a very heart-of-the-Gabes feel. It was a slow plod up getting back up to Baden-Powell. A cool breeze had been blowing all day, keeping the temps reasonable. Once I started down the north side of Baden-Powell, I began to relax and was on cruise control the rest of the way.
Ross at the end of the ridge, Iron Mountain left, Saddleback in the distance
Superman lunch box
The hike back up to Baden-Powell
Ross from ACH
I could see Ross Mountain at the end of two steep drops. Before taking a dozen steps, I was already thinking about the climb back out. I picked up a use trail immediately that went all the way ro Ross. The slopes were mostly open with scattered pines. Burned trees and charcoal littered some areas, replaced by young poodle dog sprouts. At the bottom of the first drop was a half-mile plateau covered with knee high manzanita. The second slope dropped even more steeply than the first. The use trail tried to work in short switchbacks in places, but often went directly down. From the bottom of the second drop, there was a little roller coaster section where the slope narrowed, then a 100' climb to Ross. At first, I walked by the register tucked behind a small tree. I found it shortly after. The register was in a Superman lunch box. The summit was long and flat. Views were great toward Mount San Antonio and friends, and there was a close up view of Iron Mountain's nightmarish north ridge. Copter Ridge ran parallel, with Hawkins Ridge the next one over. It had a very heart-of-the-Gabes feel. It was a slow plod up getting back up to Baden-Powell. A cool breeze had been blowing all day, keeping the temps reasonable. Once I started down the north side of Baden-Powell, I began to relax and was on cruise control the rest of the way.
Ross at the end of the ridge, Iron Mountain left, Saddleback in the distance
Superman lunch box
The hike back up to Baden-Powell
Ross from ACH
yeah it is a beast of a climb for sure. I’m glad I went but it was definitely tough.