6 min
Overview
South Mount Hawkins is a prominent peak deep in the San Gabriel Mountains. With commanding views of San Gabriel Canyon to the south, Sheep Mountain Wilderness to Mount Baldy to the east, and past Twin Peaks and the front range to the west, it’s easy to see why this peak had a fire lookout tower on it for so long. Unfortunately, in 2002 the Curve Fire swept through the area, taking the tower out with it. Still, this trail near the end of CA-39 has more than enough to justify a long day hike or multi-day backpacking trip. Small but popular Crystal Lake is one of the only naturally formed lakes in Southern California and is often stocked with rainbow trout for anglers. The nearby Crystal Lake Campground offers cabins and campsites that feel a world away from the city, and the Crystal Lake Cafe has fantastic homemade food (including some killer vegetarian soups). The area is popular with hikers, campers, anglers, road cyclists and mountain bikers – and in the winter, snowshoers! This challenging and epic loop route takes you up the north wall of the natural amphitheater that hems in the Crystal Lake Campground, then circles back via a section of the Pacific Crest Trail before turning south along the long, undulating Hawkins Ridge. Here, it visits the site of the circa-1935 wooden fire tower before returning to the trailhead via the old (and slightly disheveled) dirt service road that used to end at the tower. This trail starts at the end of Crystal Lake Road, where a gate prevents you from driving through the campground sites. Lace up your boots, put on your sunscreen, and start hiking on the Windy Gap Trail as it meanders through creekbeds and camp sites. In the first 0.4 miles, you’ll cross the now-dirt Crystal Lake Road and the trail will start some short and easy switchbacks as it leaves the healthy pine groves for an area ravaged by bark beetles and drought. Views of the canyon to the south will already start to open up but don’t worry about soaking in the views just yet – they’re much more epic later on. You’
Trail Stats
18.8 km
965 m
2553 m
1721 m
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