TRAVELPHOTOBOX

The Battleship USS Iowa is the West Coast’s only battleship museum at the San Pedro waterfront, California . This huge battleship is a naval museum that honors and illustrates the contributions of the USS Iowa and its crew at important moments in American history. Built in 1940, the Iowa was an important part of the Navy fleet for five decades. The battleship, nicknamed “The Big Stick,” saw action for four decades in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Cold War. The ship was decommissioned in 1990 and then served as a training and reserve vessel until arriving in Los Angeles in 2012. Visitors follow a single route that passes through a wardroom, the vessels upper decks and the captain’s quarters.

Crystal Lake is the only natural lake in the San Gabriel Mountains , in northern Los Angeles County. The lake is settled in a bowl below the granite crags surrounding Mount Hawkins . Severe  drought  in California has nearly dried out Crystal Lake. Only snow and spring rain feds it and it has no other artificial means of being replenished. It is open year round. 🐟 Following a good rainy season, the lake may be stocked with fish, typically rainbow trout .

South Mount Hawkins is a 7,783 foot mountain peak in the San Gabriel Mountains , contained within the Angeles National Forest . The mountain was named for Nellie Hawkins , a popular waitress at a local cafe in the early 20th century. This route starts at the  Crystal Lake Recreation Area .  The Crystal Lake basin is flanked on three sides by towering mountains forming a giant horseshoe. From the trailhead, the Windy Gap Trail ascends and you will shortly encounter a road crossing ( Crystal Lake Road ). Pick up the marked trail on the other side. The path is well-designed and easy to follow. Soon you will find again the Crystal Lake Road . This intersection marks the start of our loop. Now we leave the Windy Gap Trail and continue along the zigzagging Crystal Lake Road that takes to the top of South Mount Hawkins . It has one of the finest views of the peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains .  ⚠  There are washouts along the way and it is strewn with rocks and boulders.