San Gabriel Mountains Chapter

Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy

The trail from the parking lot at Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy Campground is an easy one to walk. It traverses the mountain side through stands of tall trees, a real forest experience, mainly Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi) and Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa). Along the 20 miles or so of Angeles Crest Highway between the suburbs of La Cañada Flintridge and Islip Saddle there are approximately 240 bends in the road, — I've counted them! That means it's not a fast drive, but it certainly is scenic.

From Little Jimmy, there is a trail to the top of Mt. Islip. It's also possible to continue east along the ridge to Mt. Hawkins, Throop Peak, and finally Mt. Baden-Powell, the second-tallest peak in the San Gabriels, over 9,000 feet above sea level. But that would be a longer hike than many people would wish to do in a single day. There are ways to make the hike to Mt. Baden-Powell shorter, such as starting in the middle from Dawson Saddle. Or you could take the direct route up the steep switchbacks from Vincent Gap directly to the summit.

Below are a few views from this area, together with a few wildflowers from the Islip Saddle to Little Jimmy section. Click on the thumbnails to see higher-resolution images, 640 x 480 pixels.

[Note: Thumbnails arranged vertically as your browser does not support the “flexbox” feature.]

North view from near summit of Mt Islip

Plain mariposa lily (Calochortus invenustus)

Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Scented shooting star (Primula fragrans)

Beaked penstemon (Penstemon rostriflorus)

Urn-flowered alumroot (Heuchera caespitosa)

East view from Mt Williamson

Norh frpom Mt Williamson

Looking west from Mt Baden-Powell to Throop Peak

East of Mt Baden-Powell towards Vincent Gap

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Thanks to Jane S trong for assistance in identificaiton of plants and flowers.

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