Windy Gap Trail (Angeles National Forest)
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| Windy Gap Trail | |
|---|---|
 View along the Windy Gap Trail |
|
| Length | 2 mi; 3.22 km |
| Trailheads | Crystal Lake Campground above Azusa, CA Windy Gap near Mount Islip (Angeles National Forest). |
| Use | Hiking, Backpacking, Biking |
| Highest Point | Windy Gap (7,588 ft; 2,312.8 m) |
| Trail Difficulty | Moderately strenuous |
The Windy Gap Trail is a short but important link of the north San Gabriel River valley to the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains in California. The trailhead starts at the uppermost parking lot of the Crystal Lake Recreation Area which is about 3 miles (4.8 km) up from California State Route 39, 25 miles (40 km) above Azusa, California. The trail is rated moderately strenuous.
The trail heads due north up the steep canyon face above the campground and crosses the South Hawkins fire lookout access road twice. The second crossing is near the Big Cienega Spring after which it heads on a right oblique toward the ridge and the saddle which is named Windy Gap. From this vantage point one faces into a seemingly perpetual wind that blows up from the broad canyon below. The benchmark here is posted at 7,588 feet.
The total hike is about 2 miles and intersects the trails for Little Jimmy Trail Camp, Mount Islip or other mountains east, South Hawkins, Baden-Powell, and the Vincent Gap Trail.
