General Information
Access
Hikes
Other Web Information
General Information South Mt. Hawkins Lookout (7,783') is located near the Crystal Lake Recreation Area which is accessible from the San Gabriel Canyon Road, State Route 39. Drainage goes to the North and East Forks of the San Gabriel River.
South Mt. Hawkins is named for Nellie Hawkins who was a waitress at a resort in the canyon.
The Lookout was "10-8" or "back in service" on September 19, 1999. It is the second fire lookout tower in the ANF to be refurbished and reopened for public visitation. Vetter Mountain near Charlton Flat was the first.
Forty-four steps lead up the tower to the 14' x 14' cab. Inside the window-wrapped room are a bed, stove, sink, desk and in the center, an Osborne Firefinder which is used to locate fires. See the Angeles Volunteer News for September 1998 link below for an explanation of its use.
Access Map: San Gabriel River Region (CL marks the location, near the center of the map)
See also: USGS 7.5' x 7.5' Map: Crystal Lake (34° 18' 42" N, 117° 48' 33" W)By Car: From Interstate 210, go north on Azusa Avenue, State Route 39, about 29 miles in distance and about 45 minutes in driving time to the Crystal Lake Recreation Area.
A $5.00 fee is charged for entrance to Crystal Lake. The Forest Adventure Pass is not accepted.
By Trail: North from Hawkins Ridge Trail, a spur off of the Pacific Crest Trail, 2.6 miles. West from Crystal Lake on South Mt. Hawkins Fire Road, 5 miles.
Season: The Lookout will probably close for the winter in late November.
Hikes Warning: this list does not get updated as often as the hikes listed in the region tables. Consult San Gabriel River Region Hikes for the latest listing.
No. RT
milesElev.
gainSeason Name 76 9 2200 jun-oct Crystal Lake to Little Jimmy Spring, Mt. Islip 76.1 5 1800 jun-oct Windy Gap Trail: Crystal Lake to Little Jimmy Spring 78 17 3300 jun-oct Middle High Country: Crystal Lake to Windy Gap, Mt. Hawkins, Throop Peak, Mt. Baden-Powell 79 12 2800 jun-oct Crystal Lake to Mt. Hawkins and South Mt. Hawkins Lookout
Other Web Information
- Angeles Volunteer News, August 1998, South Mt. Hawkins Fire Lookout Status. Opened September 19, 1999
- Angeles Volunteer News, September 1998, Article about Fire Towers and their History. Description of how the Osborne Firefinder works and other interesting facts such as: "During World War II, the towers were also used to spot aircraft and were manned 24 hours a day, year around."
- San Bernardino National Forest Association's South Mt. Hawkins Lookout page
- ANF's Crystal Lake to South Mt. Hawkins hike and Crystal Lake to Mt. Islip hike
- SoCalMtB.com's report on Hawkins Lookout/Hawkins Ridge
- San Gabriel Mountains Leaf Log Tuesday, September 22, 1998
- National Historic Lookout Register: US#295, CA#28 Record, Listing Page and Topo Map
Go to Field Guide to the San Gabriel Mountains: Places
Copyright © 1999-2000 by Jane Strong and Tom Chester
Permission is freely granted to reproduce any or all of this page as long as credit is given to us at this source:
http://tchester.org/sgm/places/south_mt_hawkins.html
Comments and feedback: Jane Strong | Tom Chester
Updated 17 July 2000.