Middle Hawkins
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Middle Hawkins is a remote peak that has a great view west to Mount Islip, Mount Wilson and other area peaks. This hike can easily be combined with South Mount Hawkins and Mount Islip for a multi-peak day. It is yet another one of the peaks named for Nellie Hawkins, a popular waitress at the now long-gone Squirrel Inn on the San Gabriel River.
Route 1 is the most straight forward hike to the top from Islip Saddle. This beautiful tree covered trail passes Little Jimmy Campground and the year-round spring if you need water. Route 2 follows a use trail to Windy Gap and then follows the same path as Route 1. Route 3 comes from Crystal Lake and also goes straight up to Windy Gap before continuing along the PCT like Route 1. Route 4 is the same route as the South Mount Hawkins route and it will allow you to hike both peaks in an out and back or combine it with one of these other routes to make it into a loop.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), drive 39.5 miles (mile marker 64.1) on the Angeles Crest Highway to Islip Saddle. Park here.
Hiking route
From the parking area (6600′), hike across the Angeles Crest Highway to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
Hike up the PCT, past Little Jimmy Campground to Windy Gap.
Continue east on the PCT for 1.4 miles farther to saddle 8400′, where a trail forks to the south. This is the turnoff for Mount Hawkins.
Take the south fork, keeping left at what looks like an immediate fork, until the trail goes around the east side of elevation 8440’+ to the saddle south of it.
Here a use trail goes off to the right and up the ridge to the summit, about 1/3 mile from the trail fork.
Driving route
From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), drive 41.6 miles on the Angeles Crest Highway to a parking area on the right at mile marker 66.37. Park here (UTM 240006).
Hiking route
From the parking area (7260′), note the large center gully on the south side of the highway with a vertical culvert pipe at the bottom. On the left side of the gully there is an obvious use trail that ascends steeply up the slope.
Hike up this use trail, bearing about 210°, 1/4 mile to Windy Gap (7588′).
Continue east on the PCT for 1.4 miles farther to saddle 8400′, where a trail forks to the south. This is the turnoff for Mount Hawkins.
Take the south fork, keeping left at what looks like an immediate fork, until the trail goes around the east side of elevation 8440’+ to the saddle south of it.
Here a use trail goes off to the right and up the ridge to the summit about 1/3 mile from the trail fork.
Route Notes
Driving route
From I-210 and San Gabriel Canyon Road (SR 39), go north on SR 39 to Crystal Lake Campground. Park in the day-use parking area in the campground near the trailhead to the Windy Gap Trail.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5800’+), hike up the Windy Gap Trail to Windy Gap.
Turn left (east) on the PCT for 1 1/2 miles farther to saddle 8400′, where a trail forks to the south. This is the turn-off point for Mount Hawkins.
Take the south fork, keeping left at what looks like an immediate fork, until the trail goes around the east side of elevation 8440’+ to the saddle south of it.
Here a use trail goes off to the right up the ridge about 1/3 mile to the summit.
Note: Entrance fee may be required for Crystal Lake area.
Driving route
From I-210 and San Gabriel Canyon Road (SR 39), go north on SR 39 to Crystal Lake Campground. Park in the day-use parking area in the campground near the trailhead to the Windy Gap Trail.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5800’+), hike up the Windy Gap Trail to where it crosses dirt road 3N07 the second time. There may be a sign “S Hawkins Road 3N07, Hawkins Lookout 5”. (This mileage is incorrect.)
Turn right and follow the road up to a saddle (7440’+) just north of South Mount Hawkins (LO). This is the turnoff for South Mount Hawkins (LO).
Hike north up the ridge on a road which goes a short distance to a heliport.
A trail leaves on the right side. Follow this trail up Hawkins ridge to a point just north of Middle Hawkins.
From here follow a use trail south up the ridge about 1/3 mile to the summit.
Route Notes
Note: Entrance fee for Crystal Lake area.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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