South Mount Hawkins facts for kids

South Mount Hawkins is a mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains in California. It is located inside the Angeles National Forest. The mountain is named after Nellie Hawkins. She was a popular waitress at a place called the Squirrel Inn. This inn was near the San Gabriel River.

The Squirrel Inn is no longer there. But Nellie's name lives on with both Mount Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins. There are also two smaller peaks nearby. People unofficially call them "Middle Hawkins" and "Sadie Hawkins."

The Fire Lookout Tower

For 67 years, a special tower stood on top of South Mount Hawkins. It was called the South Mount Hawkins Lookout. This tower was built in 1935. It was one of the few towers in Southern California made completely of wood. Sadly, the tower was destroyed in a wildfire. This fire was called the Curve Fire, and it happened on September 1, 2002.

Exploring the Mountain Trails

The Forest Service used to maintain a dirt road. This road was about 7 miles long. It went from the Deer Flats Group Campground to the top of South Mount Hawkins. The campground is in the Crystal Lake Recreation Area. The road led to the concrete spot where the fire tower once stood.

Today, the Forest Service does not regularly maintain this road. They only fix it when needed, like for a fire or to reach their radio equipment. Hikers and bicycle riders can still use the road to reach the top. However, there are rough spots along the way. You might find washouts, rocks, and boulders. This makes the Deer Flat route a bit challenging.

Another way for hikers to reach South Mount Hawkins is by using the Pacific Crest Trail. This famous trail has a section that leads from Windy Gap Trail. From there, you can follow the Hawkins Ridge Trail directly to the peak. This route is great for walking but not for bikes.