Extracted from Hike Aid 16, dated January 2016
Note: In the event of a conflict between this web page and the Hike Aid, the Hike Aid takes precedence.

---

Introduction

The Mini-Peak Bagger Program is offered by the Greater Los Angeles Area Council to acquaint Units with backcountry experiences that include elements of backpacking, peak climbing, and conservation work. The Unit Leadership is encouraged to use these outings as an opportunity for developing outdoor skills and working on related merit badges. As most of these peaks are within easy reach for one-day outings, Units that are unable to take overnight backpacking trips can participate in this challenging program. It is hoped that these peak climbing experiences will prepare and lead each hiker into the broadest participation in the High Adventure Program of the GLAAC-HAT.

There are three Mini-Peak Bagger awards, which are earned when a total of 8, 16, and 24 different peaks from the Approved Peaks list are climbed and all other requirements are satisfied. There is no time limit for earning these awards. Therefore, it is essential that an accurate record be maintained to ensure that each participant receives proper credit. The Mini-Peak Bagger Award Record is suggested for this purpose. It is also to be used in applying for an award.

A Unit may request to climb a peak that is not on the approved list, or to use an alternate trailhead for climbing an approved peak. Such a request must be made in writing, at least four weeks prior to the peak climb. The GLAAC-HAT will consider the request at its next scheduled meeting and respond in writing. To be eligible for award credit, the summit of a peak must be line-of-sight from an established trail or the trailhead, have an elevation between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, and have an elevation gain of 800 or more feet from the trailhead. A request is to contain the peak name, elevation, topographical map coverage, trailhead or approach to be taken, and any other pertinent information. However, any peak or trailhead that have conditions that require the use of ropes and/or technical hardware or, otherwise, fall under the BSA- National Council policy stated in Climb On Safely will not be approved.

Information about many of these peaks may be found in Trails of the Angeles and San Bernardino Mountain Trails by John Robinson, On Foot in Joshua Tree National Park by Patty Furbush, and the Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter's "100 Peak Section Peak Bagger Guide". Your GLAAC-HAT District Representative is also an information source.

Specific Requirements

1. Select a peak from the approved list.
2. A maximum of three peaks may be climbed for credit on a single outing, but only two may be climbed on a single day.
3. Be equipped with the Ten Essentials-Plus and other clothing and equipment as appropriate to the nature and conditions of the outing.
4. Climb the peak and sign the register in the summit box.
5. Each hiker is to pick up and pack out all trash along the trail (in addition to his/her own).
6. Awards are earned as follows:
   1. 8-Mini-Peak Bagger - Climb eight mini-peaks.
   2. 16-Mini-Peak Bagger - Climb eight additional mini-peaks for a total of 16.
   3. 24-Mini-Peak Bagger - Climb eight additional mini-peaks for a total of 24.
   No peak may be climbed more than once for credit.
7. Prior to applying for each award, each applicant must complete an GLAAC-HAT approved conservation project of not less than 6 hours effort in the Angeles National Forest. A Unit outside the Los Angeles area may make arrangements to do a project in the National Forest nearest its community. A separate six-hour project is to be done for each award - 8, 16, and 24 peaks - to be earned. This project, which will be tailored to the size, interests, and abilities of the Unit, is to be arranged through the Forest/Trail Conservation Committee of the GLAAC-HAT (or the Unit's Council HAT). The Hike Aid 7, "Forest and Trail Conservation", is your guide to its conservation programs. A project may be done at any time, and independent of the peak climbs.
8. Upon completion of the requirements, submit the Award Record to the GLAAC Scout Shop to purchase them. The Award Record is to be approved by a member of the GLAAC-HAT before purchase.
9. Once the 24-Mini-Peak Bagger Award is earned, the process may be repeated to earn an additional set of awards.

Difficulty Scale

These ratings are provided to assist the Unit Leadership in selecting peak climbs and participating in the Mini-Peak Bagger Program. They are, by nature, subjective, and actual experience will vary from Unit to Unit. The plan which you prepare for the outing will give you the actual hiking distance and elevation gains for each peak. Start with some easy ones and build your program to progressively include peaks of greater difficulty.

E - Easy: Has a trail from the trailhead to the summit, or a minimum (less than 1/4 mile) of scrambling from the trail to the summit. Usually there is a combination of shorter hiking distance, less elevation gain, and lower elevation.

M - Moderate: May involve more cross-country hiking, i.e., no trail; and scrambling to the summit. Greater distance, elevation gain, and higher summits.

S - Strenuous: Usually no trail for some distance to the summit. Generally requires a full day of hiking, because of distance, elevation gain, height of peak, and lack of trail.

Note: The lack of a trail can easily double your normal hiking time for the distance.

Approved Mini-Peaks

Name	Elevation	Topographic Map	Trailhead/Approach	Difficulty
Angeles National Forest
Mt. Hillyer	6162	Chilao Flat	Horse Flats Campground	E
Iron Mountain No. 3	5040	Chilao Flat Monte	Cristo Campground	E - M
Strawberry Peak No. 1	6164	Chilao Flat	Red Box	M
Iron Mountain No. 2	5635	Condor Peak	Trail Canyon (Sunland Quad)	M
Josephine Peak	5558	Condor Peak	Clear Creek Information Station	E - M
Mt. Lukens	5074	Condor Peak	Stone Canyon	M - S
Mt. Baden-Powell	9399	Crystal Lake	Vincent Gap or Dawson Saddle	M
Mt. Hawkins	8850	Crystal Lake	Crystal Lake	M
Mt. Islip	8250	Crystal Lake	Islip Saddle	E
Smith Mountain	5111	Crystal Lake	Highway 39	M
Throop Peak	9138	Crystal Lake	Crystal Lake or Dawson Saddle	M
Mt. Williamson	8248	Crystal Lake	Islip Saddle	E - M
Bighorn Peak	8441	Cucamonga Peak	Icehouse Canyon	M
Cucamonga Peak	8859	Cucamonga Peak	(optional)	M - S
Ontario Peak	8693	Cucamonga Peak	Icehouse Canyon	M
Timber Peak	8303	Cucamonga Peak	Icehouse Canyon	E - M
Mt. San Antonio	10064	Mt. San Antonio	Baldy Notch*	M - S
Wright Mountain	8505	Mt. San Antonio	Acorn Canyon	E - M
Mt. Lowe	5603	Mt. Wilson	(optional)	E - M
Mt. Markham	5742	Mt. Wilson	Eaton Gap	E - M
Mt. Emma	5273	Pacifico Mountain	Kentucky Springs Canyon	E - M
Telegraph Peak	8985	Telegraph Peak	Mt. Baldy Notch*	M
Thunder Mountain	8587	Telegraph Peak	Mt. Baldy Notch*; Icehouse Cyn	M
Twin Peaks	7761	Waterman Mountain	Angeles Crest Highway	S
Waterman Mountain	8038	Waterman Mountain	Angeles Crest Highway	M
* Ski lift may be taken to Baldy Notch, as an option to hiking the road from the parking lots.
San Bernardino National Forest
Bertha Peak	8201	Fawnskin	Big Bear Ranger Station	E - M
Allen Peak	5795	Forest Falls	Wilson Creek	E - M
Birch Mountain	7826	Forest Falls	Oak Glen Ranger Station	M
Little San Gorgonio	9133	Forest Falls	Little San Gorgonio Trail	S
Wilshire Peak	8707	Forest Falls	Wilshire Peak Trail	M
Apache Peak	7567	Idyllwild	Morris Ranch Road	M - S
Slide Peak	7841	Keller Peak	Lookout Road	E
Mineral Mountain	7230	Onyx Peak	Round Valley Campground	E
Suicide Rock	7528	San Jacinto Peak	Deer Spring Trail	E
Los Padres National Forest
McDonald Peak	6870	Alamo Mountain	Snowy Creek or Alder Creek	E - M
Snowy Peak	6559	Alamo Mountain	Snowy Creek or Buck Creek	M
Black Mountain No. 2	6216	Black Mountain	Buck Creek	M
White Mountain No. 2	6253	Black Mountain	Buck Creek	M
Frazier Mountain	8013	Frazier Mountain	Chuchupate Campground	E - M
Antimony Peak	6848	Pleito Hills	Road End	E - M
Grouse Mountain	8650	Sawmill Mountain	(optional)	E
Sawmill Mountain No. 1	8750	Sawmill Mountain	(optional)	E
Joshua Tree National Park
Quail Mountain	5814	Indian Cove	Juniper Flat	M
Eureka Peak	5516	Joshua Tree	South Black Rock Canyon C. G.	E - M
Inspiration Mountain	5575	Keys View	Keys View Road	E
Ryan Mountain	5457	Keys View	Sheep Pass	E - M
Lost Horse Mountain	5188	Keys View	Keys View Road	E
Queen Mountain	5687	Queen Mountain	Queen Valley	M
Bernard Peak	5360	Rockhouse Canyon	Pleasant Valley	M
Other Southern California Locations
Cuyamaca Peak	6510	Cuyamaca Peak	(optional)	E - M
Little Stonewall Peak	5250	Cuyamaca Peak	Los Cabellos Campground	E
Stonewall Peak	5730	Cuyamaca Peak	Paso Picacho Campground	E
Philmont Scout Ranch**
Burn Peak	9938
Hart Peak	7978
** There are also peaks that may be climbed for Peak Bagger credit. However, only two peak climbs on a single trek may be used toward earning a GLAAC-sponsored award: both may be Mini-Peak Bagger or Peak Bagger, or one for each award. Crew leaders must advise Philmont - Logistics, before beginning the trek, of any peak climb to be taken that is not on the route of its approved itinerary.