South Mount Hawkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Mount Hawkins |
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 South Mount Hawkins
Location in California
South Mount Hawkins
Location in the United States
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,786 ft (2,373 m) NAVD 88 |
| Listing | Hundred Peaks Section |
| Geography | |
| Location | Los Angeles County, California, U.S. |
| Parent range | San Gabriel Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Crystal Lake |
South Mount Hawkins is a mountain located in the San Gabriel Mountains in California. It's part of the beautiful Angeles National Forest. This mountain was named after a woman named Nellie Hawkins. She was a popular waitress at a place called the Squirrel Inn, which used to be near the San Gabriel River. Even though the Squirrel Inn is gone now, Nellie's name lives on with both Mount Hawkins and South Mount Hawkins.
Long ago, the area around South Mount Hawkins was a popular spot for campers. A place called Cold Brook Camp, which started as a hunter's camp, became a well-known inn called the Squirrel Inn in 1901. Later, it was renamed Cold Brook Camp again and had a hotel, cabins, and tents. It was a favorite getaway in the early 1900s.
The South Mount Hawkins Fire Lookout Tower
For 67 years, a special building called the South Mount Hawkins Lookout stood on top of South Mount Hawkins. This tower was built in 1935. Its main job was to help spot wildfires in the forest from high up. It was unique because it was one of the few all-wooden lookout towers in Southern California. Sadly, the tower was destroyed by the Curve Fire on September 1, 2002.
Exploring the Road to the Summit
There's a dirt road that leads up to where the fire lookout tower used to be. This road is about 7 miles long and starts near the Deer Flats Group Campground, which is in the Crystal Lake Recreation Area. The Forest Service doesn't regularly maintain this road anymore. They only work on it when it's needed, like during a fire or to reach their communication equipment.
Even though the road isn't perfectly smooth, hikers and bicycle riders can still use it to reach the top of South Mount Hawkins. However, be prepared for a challenging journey! There are parts where the road has been washed out by rain, and you'll find rocks and boulders along the way.
Another way for hikers to reach South Mount Hawkins is by using a part of the famous Pacific Crest Trail. This route takes you from the Windy Gap Trail and then down the Hawkins Ridge Trail to the mountain's peak.
See also
