Hike #1543
Crystal Lake to Windy Gap & Mt. Islip
September 20, 2023
Hike Leader: Jim Gardner
Meet at 8:00 am for start at 8:30 am.
Rabbits will start at a time to br determined.
Please print your own hike descriptions and maps.
GPS Data:
Crystal Lake to Windy Gap = 5.0 mi. RT; max. elev. = 1800 ft.
Crystal Lake to Mt. Islip via Windy Gap (return by same route) = 7.8 mi. RT; max. elev. = 2530 ft.
Crystal Lake to Mt. Islip via Windy Gap (return via Big Cienega trail) = 8.1 mi. RT; max. elev. = 2530 ft.
Little Jimmy Loop = 0.9 mi. RT, max. elev. = -105 ft.
Directions to trailhead: On east I-210, exit Azusa Avenue (Highway 39). Go north through Azusa into San Gabriel Canyon. After 12 miles one passes the bridge to the East Fork Road. Continue straight on Highway 39 for 12 more miles. Turn right into the signed entrance to Crystal Lake Recreation Area. Drive through the campground. Go ˝ mile past the Snack Shop and Visitor Center to where there is a locked gate in front of you and the road forks in several directions. Park in the large dirt lot on the right. Rest rooms are scattered throughout the area.
The hike: The trail starts across from the parking area. The trailhead is signed “Windy Gap - 2.5 mi.” Windy Gap is the low point in the ridge in front of you. In 0.04 mile you cross a road heading to Deer Flats and South Hawkins. Continue on the trail and in 0.07 mile more you will again cross the South Hawkins road and continue on the signed trail. In 0.1 mi. one reaches a junction with the Big Cienega Cutoff Trail. Continue right on the main trail. In about 2.3 miles you will reach Windy Gap Saddle where there is always a cooling breeze.
At this point there are choices to be made. Call it a hike, and return to the trailhead the way you came. Continue on to Little Jimmy Campground or Mt. Islip or Mt. Hawkins. At Mt. Islip you may either return to Windy Gap, or continue beyond the peak on a marginal trail via Big Cienega, ultimately intersecting the Windy Gap trail at the South Hawkins road.
Additional Information added 4/17/2022
The Hike #1491 description is changed as follows: due to the Bobcat fire, the trail to Windy Gap is open. However, the trail to Little Jimmy Campground is closed, so is the trail to Mt. Hawkins. When you get to Windy Gap the only option is to continue on the Mt. Islip Ridge Trail to Mt. Islip or turnaround and head back to the trailhead. From Mt. Islip continue on the Mt. Islip Ridge Trail to the Big Cienaga Trail back to the trailhead (reference: Islip, Windy Gap Map in the hike description).
Google Earth photo - Islip, Windy Gap
Google Earth photo - Combined Mt. Islip, Windy Gap, Mt. Hawkins Hikes
Update: 2023-08-29
