Give It the Islip

Hiking Mount Islip in the San Gabriel Mountains

With a name that could suggest slipping and falling off a cliff, Mount Islip (pronounced “eye-slip”) may sound like a peak to stay away from. But the hike to the 8,251-foot summit in the San Gabriels is a breezy, if challenging, 7-mile round-trip that is friendly to the ankles. The trail is smoothly laid out over the course of its 1,627 feet of elevation gain, so sure footing is easy to come by. No slipping!

Mount Islip gets its name from George Islip, an early pioneer who homesteaded in the San Gabriel Canyon in the 1880s. The mountain was once the location of a fire lookout tower that was moved elsewhere in 1937. But the ruins of a cabin and the foundations remain. A trek up to Mount Islip is full of such small destinations and rewards. You get to hike a section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). You can camp at Little Jimmy Campground and then enjoy the breeze at Windy Gap. Ultimately you gain a broad view of LA County far below and the faint ocean beyond. In other words, Mount Islip is not a peak to give the slip.

Across the street from the Islip Saddle parking area you’ll find the trailhead, which puts you on a brief section of the Pacific Crest Trail. The first half mile is full of short switchbacks for some rapid elevation gain, but the remainder of the trek has a gentle incline to the peak. After 2.1 miles you’ll reach Little Jimmy Campground. Bear right and follow the signs for Mount Islip. At mile 2.5, you’ll come to the Windy Gap trail junction. Make a sharp right to diverge from the PCT onto the Mount Islip Trail, which is clearly laid out by the signs with arrows pointing you in the right direction. From there it’s just one more mile with a couple of switchbacks. When you come across the ruins of an old cabin, you’ve reached the peak. From there you can relax on the old foundations of the onetime watchtower and enjoy being surrounded by the wild beauty of the San Gabriels.

From the I-210, take Exit 20 for CA-2 and turn right. Stay on CA-2 (Angeles Crest Hwy.) for 39.5 miles until you reach the parking lot for Islip Saddle at the junction of the Angeles Crest and the closed-down CA-39. An Adventure Pass is required for parking.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View