Mount Islip is a 8250 feet (2,515 m) peak in the Angeles National Forest

Angeles National Forest

The Angeles National Forest of the U.S. National Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, southern California. It was established on July 1, 1908, incorporating the first San Bernardino National Forest and parts of the former Santa Barbara and San Gabriel...

. On a clear day the sharp, high peak provides impressive views of both the Mojave Desert

Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert occupies a significant portion of southeastern California and smaller parts of central California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona, in the United States...

 and the Los Angeles Basin

Los Angeles Basin

The Los Angeles Basin is the coastal sediment-filled plain located between the Peninsular and Transverse ranges in southern California in the United States containing the central part of the city of Los Angeles as well as its southern and southeastern suburbs...

 all the way to the ocean.

A trailhead for climbing Mount Islip is located at Islip Saddle

Islip Saddle, California

Islip Saddle is a gap in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It lies just west of Mount Islip in the San Gabriel Mountains at the intersection of State Route 2 and the northern terminus of State Route 39.-Trailheads:...

, along the Angeles Crest Highway

Angeles Crest Highway

The Angeles Crest Highway is a two-lane segment of California State Route 2 in the United States. The road is in length, with its western terminus at the intersection at Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge and its eastern terminus at State Route 138 northeast of Wrightwood...

, approximately 53 miles (85 km) northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Another trailhead is at the Crystal Lake Recreation Area

Crystal Lake Recreation Area

Crystal Lake Recreation Area is part of the San Gabriel River District of the Angeles National Forest in California, USA. It consists of a lake, a public campground, and Deer Flats, a group campground. It is located approximately 26 miles north on Hwy...

, north of Azusa

Azusa, California

Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...

.