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South Mt. Hawkins Loop Hike: 5 May 2012

Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:39 pm
by Mike P
A group of us set out to hike the South Mt Hawkins loop in the counterclockwise direction. (The green hike trace should really start at the ranger station instead of the trailhead as shown.)
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We hiked up the Windy Gap Trail 1.2 miles to the abandoned South Mt Hawkins road, turned right and proceeded 3.7 miles to the peak. Rocks are strewn everywhere and a few downed trees block the road:
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South Mt Hawkins is really just a bump on the southern terminus of Hawkins ridge:
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From the ranger station parking lot to the old fire lookout is about 5.2 miles. The views from the top of South Mt Hawkins are incredible. Looking into the East Fork with Iron and San Antonio beyond:
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We left the peak and went cross-country back to the saddle where the road/trail veers north. We quickly lost the trail in the meadow about a half mile north on Hawkins Ridge and stayed too far east on the steep scree slopes. Within another half mile we finally intersected the trail by heading to the high point of the ridge.
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There were many downed trees en route up Hawkins Ridge but overall the trail was in decent shape. A lot of work needs to be done to put it in good repair.
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From South Mt Hawkins along the Hawkins Ridge Trail to the PCT was 2.3 miles according to the signs. We added to that by being off-trail...The trip down to Windy Gap was clear of trees and the section of trail between Windy Gap and the parking lots was in excellent shape. The Trailbuilders have fixed much of the tread since last year and all of the trees have been cleared on the entire Windy Gap trail.
Overall, our total distance was 12 miles (GPS). We started our hike at 8:00 am and were finished by 3:45 pm. We had a lot of rest stops and straying off-trail cost us plenty! Hiking this semi-loop in a clockwise direction would probably eliminate losing the trail on the ridge. We started at ~5600' and topped out at ~8400' near the PCT - Hawkins Ridge junction. This is a fun trip and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Re: South Mt. Hawkins Loop Hike: 5 May 2012

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 3:24 pm
by AW~
Nice writeup. Im glad I went to South Hawkins, its under-rated for the views, and non peak-bagger safe(still need to bring water). Nice friendly peak and forest.

Re: South Mt. Hawkins Loop Hike: 5 May 2012

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 3:26 pm
by HikeUp
Nice hike Mr. P and thanks for the trail condition updates.

That portion of the ridge trail through that 'meadow' area was also non-existent when I went through there two years ago. Tons of ribbons tied to various downed trees and bushes were of no help. Just pick a path of least resistance and stay as near to the ridge as is reasonable.

edit to add: pic of the great views available from the S. Mount Hawkins Loo...

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Re: South Mt. Hawkins Loop Hike: 5 May 2012

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 4:07 pm
by AW~
HikeUp wrote: edit to add: pic of the great views available from the S. Mount Hawkins Loo...
LOL...the views are just 5 mins or less down the hill from the true summit....thats why its perfectly safe for non-peak baggers.

The trailbuilders put everyone to sleep with their well designed trails and so when you go off trail around there its like you think you got lost....but it ends up being just a tiny adventure. Believe me, any notion of getting too far downhill into Iron Fork is a myth. Its only about a couple hundred feet down before it gets steep.

Re: South Mt. Hawkins Loop Hike: 5 May 2012

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:59 pm
by Mike P
AW wrote: LOL...the views are just 5 mins or less down the hill from the true summit....thats why its perfectly safe for non-peak baggers.

The trailbuilders put everyone to sleep with their well designed trails and so when you go off trail around there its like you think you got lost....but it ends up being just a tiny adventure. Believe me, any notion of getting too far downhill into Iron Fork is a myth. Its only about a couple hundred feet down before it gets steep.
You're right! Even if you get off the trail you really can't get lost. Just stay on the ridge.
It gets scary steep into Iron Fork.

Re: South Mt. Hawkins Loop Hike: 5 May 2012

Posted: Mon May 07, 2012 7:21 pm
by Mike P
HikeUp wrote: edit to add: pic of the great views available from the S. Mount Hawkins Loo...
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Face was pixelated to protect the innocent. We were going to prop up the door to give him some privacy.