Islip Saddle ( ) is a
saddle
A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider of an animal, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is equestrian. However, specialized saddles have been created for oxen, camels and other animals.
It is not know ...
and mountain pass in
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County, officially the County of Los Angeles and sometimes abbreviated as LA County, is the most populous county in the United States, with 9,663,345 residents estimated in 2023. Its population is greater than that of 40 individua ...
,
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
,
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. It lies just west of
Mount Islip in the
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains () are a mountain range located in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, California, United States. The mountain range is part of the Transverse Ranges and lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert ...
at the intersection of
State Route 2 and the northern terminus of
State Route 39. It is the second highest mountain pass on the highway after nearby
Dawson Saddle.
Name origin
Islip Saddle is named after Canadian
homesteader George Islip, who lived in neighboring San Gabriel Canyon in the 1900s.
Overview
Islip Saddle lies at the head of
San Gabriel Canyon between
Mount Williamson to the northwest and
Mount Islip to the southeast.
The summit features a parking lot and public restrooms for visitors intending to hike in the area. A gate just east of the parking lot restricts access to Angeles Crest Highway between the saddle and Vincent Gap during the winter due to heavy snowfall. A second gate just south of the saddle permanently restricts access to the northern portion of
State Route 39.
Trailheads
There are three trailheads at Islip Saddle. Two of the trailheads are part of the
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie ...
which crosses Route 2 at the saddle. Islip Saddle can be reached from
Mount Islip on the south side of the mountains, or by from the north side from Angeles Crest Highway or from
Crystal Lake Recreation Area. Closest campground is the very popular Little Jimmy Trail Camp.
summitpost.org, Islip Saddle
See also
* List of mountain passes in California
* Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest (ANF) of the United States Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, primarily within Los Angeles County in Southern California. The ANF manages a majority of the San Gabri ...
References
Landforms of Los Angeles County, California
San Gabriel Mountains
Mountain passes of California
{{LosAngelesCountyCA-geo-stub