Crystal Lake to South Mount Hawkins

Hike Organizer: Paul Kemp

Location: Crystal Lake Recreation Area, Angeles National Forest

Hike Difficulty: Moderate, 7/10 (not for beginners)

Distance: 10 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 2800 feet (total)

Time: 5-6 hours

Both Mount Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins(7,786') are named by the USFS for Nellie Hawkins, a very popular waitress at the rustic "Squirrel Inn" at nearby Crystal Lake (1901-06). It is rumored that "she charmed and attracted miners, hunters, campers - just about every mountain man for miles around." Whatever happened to charming Nellie in later years is a mystery, although one story says that she was adopted by a family of beavers and lived the rest of her life gnawing at wood and building dams.

Hike Description: This trip follows the Windy Gap trail north from Crystal Lake Recreation Area to the unpaved road leading to South Mount Hawkins. There is a forest of pine, fir and cedar all the way to the summit, giving spectacular views of San Gabriel Canyon and the Crystal Lake Basin. Make sure that you wear appropriate footwear, bring at least 2 liters of water, copious amounts of sweet snacks to munch along the way, and lunch to eat at the summit.

Directions: From the 210 Freeway exit at Azusa Av. (Highway 39) and drive north for approximately 25 miles to Crystal Lake Recreation Area.

Carpool: For those driving westwards the carpool location is Monrovia Park and Ride (temporary lot), located on the north side of Pomona Av., west of Myrtle Avenue and just south of the 210 freeway, at 7.30 a.m.

PEOPLE WITH DISTURBING HAIRCUTS FROM THE 1970s AND 1980s ARE WELCOME!

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