- Silver Moccasin Trail
Infobox Hiking trail
Name=Silver Moccasin Trail
Photo=Silver Moccasin.jpg
Caption=View along the Silver Moccasin Trail
Length=53 mi; 85.3 km
Location=California ,United States
Start/End Points=Chantry Flat aboveArcadia, California Vincent Gap nearWrightwood, California .
Use=Hiking, Backpacking
Difficulty=Moderate to strenuous
HighPoint=Mount Baden-Powell (9,399 ft;
2,865 m)The Silver Moccasin Trail is a 53-mile trail located in theSan Gabriel Mountains , just northeast ofLos Angeles . It Begins atChantry Flat Recreation Area above the city ofArcadia, California , traversing upward and down through several canyons and along the high ridges of theAngeles National Forest . This trail connects Mt. Baden-Powell,Mount Burnham , Throop Peak and Mount Hawkins. It comes to its highest point at Mount Baden-Powell (9399’) after which point it descends to its terminus at Vincent Gap on theAngeles Crest Highway nearWrightwood .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 America have placed a monument to their founder, LordRobert Baden-Powell . [ [http://hike-socal.com/hike_mount_baden-powell_trail.html Mount Baden-Powell - San Gabriel Mountains - Hiking ] ]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, theLos 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 coveted and prestigious 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. Some troop leaders even consider the SMT overused and downplay the prestige of completing it as “too easy,” and opt for High Sierra excursions. However, sections of the trail which are only eight to ten miles (12.9 to 16.1 km) in length while reaching the Baden-Powell summit qualify it as a 20-mile (flatland) hike due to gains in elevation which are about 5,000 feet (1524 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 8,000 and 9,000 feet (2438 and 2743 m).egments
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 viaGabrielino Trail ... 9 mi (14.5 km)
*West Fork CG to Angeles Crest Hwy via Shortcut Canyon ... 3 mi (4.8 km)
*Angeles Crest Hwy to Chilao Flat through Charlton Flat ... 7 mi (11.3 km)
*Chilao Flat to Three Points passes Horse Flats CG ... 5 mi (8 km)
*Three Points to Cloudburst Summit viaPacific Crest Trail ... 4 mi (6.4 km)
*Cloudburst Summit to Islip Saddle via Pacific Crest Trail ... 11 mi (17.7 km)
*Islip Saddle to Mt Baden-Powell via Pacific Crest Trail ... 10 mi (16.1 km)
*Mt Baden-Powell to Vincent Gap via Pacific Crest Trail ... 4 mi (6.4 km)ilver 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 daysThe medal is earned by completing the patch, then completing 12 hours of conservation work. [ [http://www.merkurencyclopedia.com/HAT/Awards/Awards.html LAAC High Adventure Team] ]
External links
* [http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/recreation/hike-silvermoc.shtml Browse the USDA site for information on Recreation Trails and hiking in the Angeles National Forest]
References
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