Hawes Peak
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Hawes and its neighbors Shay, Little Shay and Ingham, all named for local pioneer families, lie in the area of Little Pine Flat area of the San Bernardino Forest northwest of Big Bear Lake, split by Cox Creek. These four peaks are often hiked in a picturesque loop route of country road, meadow, gully, and ridgelines. They enjoy lovely views of Lake Arrowhead and the San Gabriels to the west, and the impressive forested mountains of Big Bear to the south. The four peaks are typically hiked together in a loop, and there are several alternate variations as well.
Route 1 can be reached on Coxey Road 3N14 either from the north or the south on seasonal high clearance road; the route starting from Fawnskin in the south is shorter and better road. The trail heads south on old road, as does the route to Little Shay, before continuing south to a point between Little Shay and Hawes, from which one can take a short side trip up the northeast ridge of Little Shay, before ascending the gentle northwest ridge of Hawes to the peak. Route 2 is reached by turning onto Crab Flat Road from Big Pine Flat. The trail proceeds north through old road stream beds and on ridges to the peak.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
From the south:
Drive to the town of Fawnskin (east on I-10 to I-215, then north to SR 210, then east to SR 330, then north to SR 18, then east to the dam at Big Bear Lake, then north on SR 38).
Turn left (northwest) on Rim of the World Drive 3N14 in Fawnskin (paved for first 1/2 mile). Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.3 miles, fork with 2N13 to the left and 3N14 to the right. Keep right.
At 1.8 miles, fork with Holcomb Valley Road 3N12 to the right. Keep left.
At 2.0 miles, Hanna Flat with 2N68 to the left. Go right.
At 4.4 miles, stream crossing and junction with 3N93 to the left and 3N08 to the right. Go straight.
At 6.0 miles, fork with 3N97 to the left. Go right.
At 6.9 miles, junction with 3N16 at Big Pine Flat. Keep straight.
At 7.0 miles, entrance to Big Pine Flat Campground. Keep straight.
At 10.5 miles, junction with 3N41 on the left. Go left a short distance and park by the gate.
From the north:
Drive east on I-10 and north on I-15 to the Hesperia turnoff.
Go east on Main Street in Hesperia for 7.2 miles to the “Y” junction of Rock Springs Road (on the left) and Arrowhead Lake Road (the main road continuing on the right). Turn left (east) on Rock Springs Road. Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 2.9 miles, Kiowa Way on the left. Continue straight as Rock Springs Road becomes Roundup Way.
At 5.9 miles, pavement ends. Continue east.
At 7.3 miles, intersection with the Bowen Ranch Road. Turn right (south).
At 8.2 miles, fork. Keep left.
At 9.4 miles, junction with Coxey Truck Trail (3N14), turn left. This is the turnoff for Round Mountain and one of the Luna Mountain routes. Note your odometer again and go as follows:
Drive 4.4 miles, pass through a gate.
At 7.3 miles at the juncture with 4N16 continue south on 3N14 for another two miles to parking area.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5860′), hike south past the gate, following the old roadbed about 0.4 miles to another gate.
Continue past the gate, following the old roadbed and trail segments about 1 mile to the Hawes Ranch site on your left.
Pass through a gap in the fence and hike southeast up the slope either cross-country or on an old bulldozer track to the ridgeline.
Follow the use trail and firebreak northeast up the ridge to the summit.
Driving route
Drive to the town of Fawnskin (east on I-10 to I-215, then north to SR 210, then east to SR 330, then north to SR 18, then east to the dam at Big Bear Lake, then north on SR 38).
Turn left (northwest) on Rim of the World Drive 3N14 in Fawnskin (paved for first 1/2 mile). Note your odometer and go as follows:
At 1.3 miles, fork with 2N13 to the left and 3N14 to the right. Keep right.
At 1.8 miles, fork with Holcomb Valley Road 3N12 to the right. Keep left.
At 2.0 miles, Hanna Flat with 2N68 to the left. Go right.
At 4.4 miles, stream crossing and junction with 3N93 to the left and 3N08 to the right. Go straight.
At 6.0 miles, fork with 3N97 to the left. Go right.
At 6.9 miles, junction with 3N16 at Big Pine Flat. Go left on 3N16.
At 8.5 miles, fork to the left. Keep right.
At 11.1 miles, an old fork on the right blocked by some large rocks. Park here.
It is also possible to drive to the starting point from Green Valley. Follow 3N16 north through Crab Flats and then northeast toward Big Pine Flat. About 2.8 miles northeast of Crab Flats the road makes a hairpin turn as it crosses Holcomb Creek. The starting point is 1.2 miles past this point.
Hiking route
From the parking area (5840′), hike north down the old road keeping right at the first road fork to where the road crosses the streambed. Here (UTM 957936) is a fork with another road which follows the canyon.
Turn right (east) and follow this road about 1/4 mile to a fork. Keep left and hike north up a side canyon about 1/4 mile (UTM 959942).
Leave the canyon bottom and climb the slope on the left to the top of a ridge.
Go north up this ridge to the main ridge. Turn left (west) and hike about 200 yards to the summit.
Route Notes
Additional Peak Information
Alternate routes: The peak can be hiked cross-country from the trailhead for Route 1, as follows:
Hike directly over bumps 5960’+ and 6063′.
Continue in the same southeast direction until you meet a motorcycle trail on the main Hawes ridge, about 1/2 mile northeast of the peak.
Turn right (southwest) on the trail to the summit.
Special conditions: Dirt roads are seasonal. Call Big Bear Ranger District at (909) 866-3437 for information.
The area is popular with deer hunters. The season begins the 2nd Saturday in October and runs for 30 days.
Peak combinations: Deer Mountain, Shay Mountain, Little Shay Mountain, and Ingham Peak are often combined into a single hike. The key is the saddle at 6240’+, the common point for each peak when climbed from 3N41.
External Links
Nearby Peaks
External Links
Peakbagger.com
Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
Google Earth
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