Crystal Lake

This place sucks so baddd. Maybe in winter is it tolerable but the lake was a sespool of bacteria and seriously. wtf cystal lake café dude, why didnt he tell us the lake was dried up before we paid for the pass. in any event, very uneventful. And we couldnt find the bridge to nowhere. Fuck you.

Soooo lovely. Super cute café (which I will review separately) to greet you when you first arrive. Plenty of small trails with lots of restrooms and trash cans. Also a campground which I would love to try out sometime. Only an hour from Pasadena.

Here’s our video review:
We started the hike at the Crystal Lake Camp Ground parking area and heading up to Windy Gap. Total gain/​loss 1756′ Windy Gap makes a fine destination for this five-​mile out-​and-​back hike. But if you are up for more, there are several other options you can add to your Windy Gap experience. We decided to head to Throop Peak and then Hawkins. The San Gabriel Mountains high country offers some wonderful hiking weather in the non-​winter months. In the wintertime, snow can blanket the Crystal Lake basin and surrounding mountains.
Distance: 11 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 3000 feet
Estimated trip time: 7 hours

A beautiful secluded hike starting off from Angeles Crest highway
Mile marker 66.37. This is the easiest way to Mount Islip and I Took the trail (Pacific Crest Trail) vs the Fire Road. There are 3 options to Get to Mount Islip and Crystal lake to Windy Gap is a must for all Southern California hikers. This is great elevation training and the views from Windy Gap and the Peak are some of the best. Video of my adventure is posted below.
Distance: 5.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1250 Feet
Hike Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (Elevation)
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail
Hike Type: Out and back
Fee: Adventure Pass

Even though it’s relatively close to civilization, it’s nice and quiet and a quick drive. Yes, it’s a little sad to see the lake so low, but we’re in a drought, so anywhere you go where there is water (in California) is not gonna look so full. We saw a bear ripping through a grocery bag the first ten minutes of arrival, so please make sure you put food where the bears can’t get it.

Crystal Lake is the place where I always go camping for the weekend with my friend. Its quiet and the otuer campers are all nice. The coffee shop is pretty good as well. The owner is welcoming.

This review is for the hike to Mount Islip, as there is no dedicated place to review this hike.
The hike starts from Crystal Lake Recreation Area and is about 8.5 miles roundtrip with 2,250′ elevation. The trail is primarily single file and mostly unshaded with loose rocks underfoot. The incline is not too steep but is steadily uphill for most of the way.
About 1 or so miles into the hike, you will see a sign — take the Windy Gap trail for 1.4 miles (there are actually 2 trails to the right of this sign — take the one right next to the sign. On the way up, you will see a sign pointing you in the correcton direction (left) to continue on to Mt. Islip. If you want a slightly longer hike, take the opposite direction and it will take you to the same destination. The landscape along the way is interesting, the views are nice and there is a slight breeze at the top and on Windy Gap trail. It’s a good but not a killer workout.

The lake was not worth the drive around the mountain about 14miles from the riverstream site. But the river and damp was relaxing.

Been meaning to write this review (It was quite awhile ago we went), as it’s solely for the Hiking Portion of it. As for the lake, sad to say, it’s getting smaller and smaller and doesn’t really exist. :((*of course there is a serious drought situation in California, so just be understanding of that before driving out)
Camping too, didn’t look like it’d be fun, saw people like they were all at the Hippie fest, all out in the open, all loud and shouting. How is that considered roughing it in the woods with nature when you hear people shouting out so Ghetto! Anyhow, that’s not what my review’s about, but if it were, I’d give it the one star sadly.
On to my review of the hiking in Crystal lake forest. It was nice, empty (reading above, you know right away) and beautiful! Cool mountain air and shaded through out for the most part. Some open hiking trails alongside the main road, but didn’t hardly see any vehicles the day we went. We went to the info office that’s across the way of the Café/​General store and they were very informative and gave us a map. They said we could either do a short hike or the day long hikes, but I’m not quite there for the tremendous inclines way up above (but I do aspire someday to achieve that goal!).
We did the loop and ended up on the trail to the lake. WOW! I saw two people sitting there attempting to fish and a group of people off to the side just sitting there watching to see if anyone was going to come by, because why would anyone want to hang out there? Really? The obvious reason is the critical situation of the drought in California. I think driving up, we saw some water dripping through rocks. Seemed hopeful., but no that was just in certain areas and the higher you drove up, the drier it seemed. It’s really sad to see that the once flourishing lake is no more., for how long? I have no clue.
Anyhow, aside from the disappointment of the lake, everything else was all good. They have lots and lots of trails that I can’t possible see it getting that bad in being crowded. And there’s plenty of parking throughout the area, and you have to have your Adventure pass displayed. And that’s just Crystal lake, there is so much more out there, I did the Road to Nowhere a few years ago and that was long, kicked my butt and I’d strongly advise going w/​a group and a leader that knows the trail very well. For these other ones, I think you can get by, just make sure to have the map and always ask the people there so you know what your getting into.
The café/​General Store was nice too, they serve a small variety of hot food and have snacks and supplies for whatever your need, beware it’s priced a little higher, so a trip to Walmart/​Target for the same items might not be a bad idea.
Bring your supplies as always, even though it’s shaded, you’ll hit some open spots and bring bug spray — I kept getting bugs allover my eyes and face. You can hear the flying insects buzz loudly!

Crystal Lake is a beautiful place to visit during the day. I would love to continue visiting and hiking this area. The reason for the one star is the lack of ranger presence. If you are going to have a campground, you need to keep it safe! That means having a ranger/​police on duty at all times! I recently camped there and it was loud and out of control! It is NOT a safe place to camp on a Friday or Saturday night. This could easily be solved with rangers/​police. As it is right now, you camp at your own risk… what a shame!!!

I’ve been to this lake dozens of times. and you can take an inflatable raft, or canoe. They allow float tubers but your body has to be elevated above the water kicking with swim fins. no float tubes where you legs dangle down (no fisherman in «just waders» slightly submerged in the water) with more activity in the warmer months.
Great area for hiking and if you plan on a small picnic here. pack light due the mile and some hike in. especially on the way out. the cobble stones add up and you will get winded carrying a lot of gear.
As a kid I’ve seen bullfrogs here in Spring/Summer…fishing isn’t to bad either but like all fresh water tributaries. it’s about the weather/​temperature conditions that can dictate a fast day with limits or bites off and on all day.
Word of Caution: If you do go, whether to hike/picnic/fish.and it’s already cool. the temperature can drop 5 – 10 degrees with wind following. lightning quick so that last mile out will be your longest mile ever. just be careful and pack a small compact windbreaker just in case.
Other than this. great place to have a day to hike, fish, light picnic, sit and get in Kindle/iPad.read in, nap and ejoy the air astray from the smog below in the San Gabriel Valley. Tight lines. relaxation and safety. happy trailing :)
Phone Park for More Information:
Information:(626)335−1251 «option 3», additional gate info: 626−969−1012

Hiked to Mount Islip Sunday. Beautiful hike. But when we got back to the car, I lost my wallet while changing my shoes. Some wonderful person turned it in at the café with every thing still inside. The owner held it for me until I could come back and get it. Good people. Great hot chocolate. thank you!

It’s open for camping and this week is the first trout plant in a looooooooong time!

ITS THE OUTDOORS SO ANYONE COMPLAINING ABOUT BUG/​INSECTS SHOULD GO BACK HOME AND LOCK THEMSELF IN THEIR DUNGEON. The area is awesome the campground is in a half bowl, there are high cliffs on the north half its so beautiful. Many trails to hike and bike. You could see anything from squirrls to bears (on rare occasions), and deer are very common to see also.

The drive was beautiful. Love the scenery, the birds & all the squirrels I almost squished by accident (sorry for the close call guys!!). However, upon our arrival we are followed by flies non-​stop. 1 long hike later we see the lake… again, covered by flies, dead rodents & just looking down right toxic. Hardly a soul in sight (then again it was a Monday). But believe me when I say if you’re looking to frolic in water… stay by the river areas. Otherwise, this area’s OK for camping and bike riding… not much else. A real disappointment. BTW, the snack bar/​café is closed Mondays so come well packed!!!

The road to crystal lake is finally open again!!! Yay! The campgrounds look beautiful.
I hiked part of the way from Crystal Lake to Mt Islip. And I can’t wait to explore more of this beautiful part of the mountains again!

San Gabriel Canyon
Part Three
Local photos are posted
The day following this bike ride to Crystal Lake, my girlfriend and I drove to play in the snow where Hwy 2 and the 39 meet. I never needed reassurance of how fine the closed portion of hwy 39 is to ride but driving Angeles Crest Hwy on this beautiful sunday just raised its value to divine proportions. For a moment I felt like we were in line for a Disney ride.
Three weeks previous to winters first storm I pedaled up old Beach Blvd to the summit. The storm dropped just over a foot at Mount Wilson observatory. The second storm came through for christmas. Two days later I rode up to Crystal Lake looking for snow.
Many cliffs and their adjacent roads that were stable and free of debris a month earlier were now in constant collapse, strewn with rocks of various sizes. Riding by with care as pebbles were raining down the cliff was a bit spooky. When I came back down the mountain these areas were still crumbling away. This is a good sign, if or when the road is opened again to cars, surly all the falling rocks alone would be reason to close it during the winter months.
I made it as far into the campground as I felt safe and after the third time my back wheel slipped on an icy patch of road I figured it wise to halt there and turn around. Obviously riding solo means a bit more caution. My goal was to be surrounded on all four sides by the white stuff and I had made it. I tried to prepare for the climate and for the most part I was. What I wasn’t ready for was the cold wind on my face during the first part of the descent. For a bit I was worried about frost bite. I couldn’t get down the mountain to the warmer air fast enough, and steering through the mini landslides was like navigating through an astroid field.
This has to be one of the best bike rides in southern california. A true classic.