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Popular trail to the summit of Mt. Islip from Little Jimmy Campground.


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Map Key

1.2

Miles

2.0

KM

Point to Point

8,242' 2,512 m

High

7,530' 2,295 m

Low

712' 217 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

California State Route 39 no longer connects with Highway 2. Winter conditions can cause road closures on 39, so be sure to check before traveling to the Crystal Lake Recreation Area.

Need to Know

Adventure Pass required to park at the Windy Gap Trailhead and the Islip Saddle Trailhead.

Description

The Mt. Islip Trail starts at the west end of Little Jimmy Campground and climbs past a group site then makes a bend heading east to a junction with a spur trail down to Windy Gap. The trail continues up to the ridge then heads west to a junction with the Islip Ridge Trail #9W08.

From this junction, stay right and continue to the summit of Mt. Islip. After reaching the summit, you'll find ruins of an old stone cabin that was built to house the fire lookout that was once stationed on the summit. From Mt. Islip summit, there are panoramic views of San Gabriel Canyon to the south and the Mojave Desert to the north.

After enjoying the summit and catching your breath, descend the way you came or you can make a loop hike with the Islip Ridge Trail #9W08, Big Cienega Trail #9W07 and Windy Gap Trail #9W06.

Flora & Fauna

The Crystal Lake Basin provides beautiful 360-degree scenery of alpine flowers while Jeffrey, sugar pines, white fir provide shade along the route. Wildfire scars can be seen across the basin left over from the 2002 Curve Fire, a reminder that the San Gabriel Mountains landscape is ever-changing.

Contacts

Shared By:

Taylor Reilly

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#16799

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#1,780

in California

#16,799

Overall
4 Views Last Month
421 Since Jul 22, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Caretakers Cabin?  Mt. Islip
Sep 28, 2018 near Wrightwood, CA
View San Gabriel Canyon and the distant Los Angeles Basin
Jul 21, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Mt. Islip Ridge looking south towards Azusa Canyon
Sep 28, 2018 near Wrightwood, CA
Mt. Islip Ridge looking West
Sep 28, 2018 near Wrightwood, CA
Looking at Highway 2 from Mt. Islip.
Jul 22, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Crystal Lake basin
Jan 5, 2018 near Wrightwood, CA

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