Mount Islip

The easy snow along Highway 2's Waterman Crest is all but gone now, melted out by late April's furious heat waves. That said, what a treasure this part of the San Gabriels is, especially when there is snow.

There are interesting things to ski in this area all the way from Baden-Powell, to the east, to Waterman, to the west. Mount Islip is roughly in the middle of that zone, a little taller than Waterman, and maybe a little more reliable for late-season snow, thanks to its protected northeast gullies.

You can get to Islip from nearby Islip Saddle on Highway 2 (the current winter closure point), or else via a longer hike from Crystal Lake and the Deer Flat campground, to the south. This is a popular hiking area, so perhaps not the best choice if you want maximum solitude.

— May 6, 2020

Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents

Matt D May 7, 2020 at 6:40 am

How was the snow on Islip now? I skied the other side of the ridge in this area hiking up from Crystal Lake in April, but that faces more towards the south and is nuked now for sure.

Andy May 7, 2020 at 8:35 am

I think things are pretty much melted out by now unless you head to BP or maybe Throop.