Mount Hawkins

Mount Hawkins, photo by Sunny Yi

Mount Hawkins, Photo by Sunny Yi.

Peak Name

Mount Hawkins

14F

Elevation

8850

feet

Status

active

Region

South Of Angeles Crest Hwy 2

Range

San Gabriel Mountains

Nearby peaks

Mount Islip, South Mount Hawkins (LO), Middle Hawkins, Throop Peak

Location

34.3413898,-117.8050607

Description

This is one of the several peaks named for Nellie Hawkins, a popular waitress at the now long-gone Squirrel Inn on the San Gabriel River who, according to historian John Robinson, “charmed and attracted miners, hunters, and campers.”

Route 1 follows the PCT from Islip Saddle onto an undulating ridge through beautiful and often shady forest. Along the way it passes Little Jimmy Campground and Little Jimmy spring. Route 2 follows a short use trail to Windy Gap before connecting with Route 1. Route 3, the shortest way to the top, starts from Dawson Saddle and follows a beautiful tree covered trail up the north side to the main trail junction. Route 4 is the longest route if you want to connect all three Hawkins peaks into one hike or you want to make a loop out of it from Crystal Lake. One can leave a car at the parking area for Baden Powell and hike Hawkins Route 1 or 2 and continue on to Throop, Burnham and Baden Powell for a full and satisfying multi-peak day.

Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission

Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides

Route 1- From Islip Saddle

Elevation Gain

2200′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

8 miles round trip on trail

Estimated time

4-5 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), drive north on Angeles Crest Highway 39.5 miles (mile marker 64.1) to Islip Saddle. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (6600′), cross Angeles Crest Highway and go up the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
Hike up the PCT to Little Jimmy Campground.
Continue on the PCT past the campground to Windy Gap.
Continue east on the PCT for 1.5 miles farther to saddle 8400′, where a trail forks to the south. This is the turnoff for Middle Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins (LO).
Take the left (east) fork, the PCT, up past bump 8800’+ and on to where the trail arrives on the ridge northeast of the summit.
Here there is a fork heading southwest along the ridge. This is the turnoff for Throop Peak.
Turn right and follow this trail up to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 2

Elevation Gain

1600′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

6 miles round trip on trail

Estimated time

3-4 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2), drive 41.6 miles on 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 Middle Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins (LO).
Take the left (east) fork, the PCT, up past bump 8800’+ and on to where the trail arrives on the ridge northeast of the summit. Here there is a fork heading southwest along the ridge. This is the turnoff for Throop Peak.
Turn right and follow this trail up to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 3- From Dawson Saddle

Elevation Gain

1100′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

6 miles round trip on trail

Estimated time

4 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

‘”O”, normal

Driving route

From the intersection of I-210 and Angeles Crest Highway, drive north on Angeles Crest Highway for about 46 miles to a parking area just past Dawson Saddle. Park here.

Hiking route

From the parking area (7920′), cross to the south side of the road to where a trail begins. Hike up this trail to a trail junction northeast of Throop Peak.
Turn left and follow the trail to the saddle northeast of Mount Hawkins. Here there is a trail heading southwest along the ridge.
Turn left and follow this trail up to the summit.

Route Notes

Printable Route

Road Type

Paved

Google Maps Link to Trailhead

Route 4- From Windy Gap

Elevation Gain

3000′

Navigation Difficulty

Easy

Distance

12 miles round trip on trail

Estimated time

5-6 hours round trip

Route Rating

Class 1, moderate

Leader Rating Required

“O”, normal conditions.

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 right (east) on the PCT for 1.5 miles farther to saddle 8400′, where a trail forks to the south. This is the turnoff for Middle Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins (LO).
Take the left (east) fork, the PCT, up past bump 8800’+ and on to where the trail arrives on the ridge northeast of the summit. Here there is a fork along the ridge to the southwest. This is the turnoff for Throop Peak.
Turn right and follow this trail up to the summit.

Route Notes

Note: Entrance fee may be required for Crystal Lake area.

Printable Route