Mount Islip Loop via Islip Wawona Trail
10.3 mi
Distance
4 hrs 46 min
Time
terrain
2,635 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult loop trail to Mount Islip in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
This trail goes by Little Jimmy Spring and Big Cienega Spring.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Hiked 11/30/22 – Did the loop clockwise to catch the sunrise and early peak views and it did not disappoint. Ridge trail up was in great shape and currently free of ice/snow. The only challenge on the descent is on the Windy Gap Trail with one of several washout areas between Windy Gap and the Hawkins Lookout Road. If you take a higher route around it (20 feet above), you can find rock footholds and traverse it using poles without sliding. After passing that, it’s nice all the way down. Saw a herd of deer in the closed Deer Flat Campground when starting the Lost Ridge Trail to finish the loop. This section of the trail goes through high bush growth and then the oaks but is in good shape and was a great way to finish this scenic hike. Parked in the dirt lot on the side of Crystal Lake Road across from the locked gate for the service road to the Islip Wawona Trailhead which added a couple of minutes to the hike. Didn’t see anybody all day.
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