Mt. Baden-Powell is only four miles from the trailhead, Mt. Baldy three and a half from the restaurant at the top of the ski lift. Furthermore, the view of the basin and the coast from either of these mountains is obstructed by the mountains of the front range. The view from Iron Mountain, unobscured by mountains, superb in theory, still depends on air conditions. The day I climbed, there was a hazy cloud cover over the city, so I could not see much. This view shows the ridge I ascended, and the foothills beyond.
LA is out there in the haze somewhere.
I was surprised when I arrived at the peak. Based on my predictions, I thought I had another hour to go when I arrived at the top. The ascent took me only five hours. I was not even that tired. I attribute this to being well hydrated all the way, carrying almost no equipment other than water and a camera, and to wearing hybrid trail-running shoes instead of my hiking boots.