Mt.Islip Hike
Location : San Gabriel Mountains, Angeles National Forest
Total distance : 5.5 miles round-trip (out and back)
Elevation gain : 1,400 ft
Peak elevation : 8,250 ft
Tree Cover : Thick tree cover. Sunscreen highly recommended.
Parking : Parking lot near the trailhead.
Trailhead : Click here
Satellite map :
Click on the image for an interactive map
Terrain map :
Click on the image for an interactive map
Once you park your car in the parking lot, walk a few feet to the trailhead with a gate. To park here an adventure pass is required. Adventure passes can be obtained from several places such as REI or other sporting goods stores. Including breaks it took us 2 hours to hike up and 1.5 hours to come back down.
Fun fact : The name Little Jimmy comes from a comic strip character created by James Swinnerton more than a century ago.
After about a 20 minute walk from the trailhead you will encounter a fork with this sign, keep left and follow the sign towards Little Jimmy Trail Camp. The slopes are moderate for the most part of the hike. But it still helps if you stretch your legs and warm-up before starting the hike.
1.1 miles from the trailhead you will reach the Little Jimmy trail camp. This is a nice place with plenty of space to camp. As of the time of writing this in June 2020 camping permits are not needed for this place. The restrooms here have been removed but I heard there are plans for building them again. If you have updated information feel free to share it in the comments below.
At this fork the trail splits off but rejoins shortly, which way you go is is a personal choice. In the video we went left - on this trail you pass the Little Jimmy springs and can refill your water bottles - but be sure to filter the water. Just after the springs, the trail gets very steep and slippery. Whereas if you take the trail on the right at the fork it is more of a steady gentler climb.
The next junction is at Windy Gap. There are three sign boards there with the right most sign showing directions to Mt.Islip and indicating the peak is 0.8 miles away, follow this direction. It is more of a U-turn to the right and going up. The steepness of the slope increases after this so pace yourself. May be enjoy the views here before you head up. Be on the lookout for Mt.Wilson in the distance with the bright white observatory visible from very far far away.
Continue your hike up the slope and enjoy the breath-taking views of the valley on the left. From here you can see two water bodies - the one to the right, closer and smaller with a darker color is Crystal lake and the other to the left, with turquoise water is San Gabriel reservoir. You will come across another minor junction with just a post and no sign board, at this point make a U-turn to the left.
The next landmark will be a Mt.Islip sign board indicating you are 0.1 miles from the peak. We hope you enjoy the hike and come back for more. Hike for fun and fitness and spread the word.
Gallery
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