Nice little side trip off the PCT Date Climbed: May 23, 2009
Summited mate in the day after a day backpacking on the PCT. Set up camp at Little Jimmy then hiked to the summit. Good view into the LA basin, and the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains.
Decided to experience Mt Islip's long south ridge. Abandoned trail, brush filled gully, and fire break all part of the day. Decided that Smith Mtn was far enough south. Returned via SR39 to Islip Saddle.
There was a whole tour bus full of people at the summit. Oh well, they were on their way down as we got there and we ended up taking the steep little trail to the road from Windy Gap so we didn't have to share the trail much after all. Amazing views - it was a beautiful day and you could see for many, many miles.
Hiked from Islip Saddle up to Little Jimmy Campground then to Windy Gap. From Windy Gap a sign says it's 0.9 miles to the top of Mt. Islip. About a third of a mile up the trail another sign says it's 1.2 miles... hmmmm... so they add up miles around here rather than subtracting them, lol I made it within 0.2 miles or so of the summit then decided to turn around to return to my friend whom I'd left at Windy Gap. Great views and I love the wildflowers and huge Jeffrey Pine and Incense Cedars along the way. Didn't enjoy the gnats, though. Note to self: bring a head net next time!
6 inches of fresh snow made this a fun day. Lots of heavy fog at the start with a cloud break at about 8,000 feet. Views of the clouds were Phenomenal. Followed the Northwest Ridge back and then dropped back down to the saddle.
Nice hike. All snow and some ice. Stayed on the trail for a bit and then took one of the direct chutes on the north side and kicked steps to the summit. Lots of ice on the north side. Lots of powder on the descent.
Hiked up the south ridge and descended to near Azusa for 30 miles in April of 2006, and hiked from Windy Gap to Islip, descending the northwest ridge with Travis on 20070928.
Did Mt. Islip as part of a 6-peak loop including Mt. Lewis, Mt. Hawkins, Middle Hawkins, and Throop Peak. We hiked from Islip Saddle to Dawson Saddle to begin the loop and returned to Islip Saddle.