Mount Williamson

Overview

Mount Williamson tends to get the short end of the stick from many day hikers in the Los Angeles area. It’s pretty remote — oftentimes literally at the end of the road coming from the city. The distance isn’t long so it might not justify that drive, and if you’re looking at a map, it looks like the peak is right next to the Angeles Crest Highway, leading you to think you’re not going to be that far away from civilization.  That’s a shame, because those hikers are missing out on a beautiful stretch of trail with stellar views of the central San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley — and on peaks where they’re likely to have those views all to themselves. Add to that Williamson’s odd three-bump summit ridge, the chance to hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, and options to extend this into a full-fledged backpacking adventure in one of the most remote parts of the mountain range, and now you’ve got yourself some great reasons to give Williamson a try. The trail kicks off at Islip Saddle – at the junction with the slowly crumbling CA-39. The hike to Mount Islip begins on the south side of the Angeles Crest but this route follows the Pacific Crest Trail north and west from the north side of the road, where a sizable parking area sits next to some picnic tables and a toilet. It’s clearly marked and signed, so look for the PCT emblem. Another trail – the South Fork Trail – also heads north from this trailhead but that will take you to the South Fork Campground on the north side of the San Gabriels. the mark of excellence The trail begins meandering through some lovely stretches of pine forest as it makes its way upward, paralleling the Angeles Crest on the north side of a large bump. You’ll have really nice views on this route almost immediately after stepping off the trailhead. Looking to the southeast, you can easily make out Mount Islip right across from the Angeles Crest. On clear days looking east, you may also be able to make out Throop Peak and the long ridge to towering Baden-Powell, too (a quiet but long tr

Trail Stats

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