snow hiking essentials (Mt Islip)?

Difficult to answer without knowing what you have for gear. The gear I use during the winter is completely different from what I use during the summer.

HA. Right on. Good to see Mt. Islip brought up here.

I've hiked it about twenty times in all the seasons. Fun to backpack up to Little Jimmy too although if it's a weekend I'm heading in to the forest to make camp. Just can't deal with "people noise." :)

While it's clear that the poster "Chris" knows his stuff I'm going to respectfully disagree with his equipment suggestions. It's Mt. Islip not Mt. Ranier and I've never run across a situation where an ice ax would be necessary. While I 'get' hiking with a partner. I hike alone a lot in the snow up there and as long as you follow the trail, which is very easy up to Islip, you shouldn't have any problems. That said, depending on when you go there can be a lot of ice on the trail. I prefer microspikes but I've also seen some hikers with crampons.

If you've got your ten essentials you should be fine. Obviously you won't be heading up without checking the weather report, you'll have enough food and extra clothes, socks, etc. My rule of thumb is to always ask myself "What if" before I head out. And in the winter that means "What if it snows and what if I get wet?"

Don't forget, after bigger storms they'll close the 2 so you can't drive to the parking lot at the saddle. There might be a way to get there from the Crystal Lake side if the 2 is closed (you'll need to check on that) but that's about a 4.5 mile hike up to Windy Gap and then you have the summit to the top of Islip which is about another 1.5 miles.

Not sure if you've been up there before but there is a side trail from the Little Jimmy trail camp of about 1/4 mile that has one of the only full-time water sources in the San Gabriel's and it doesn't need to be treated or filtered. Comes out of a pipe from an underground spring.

And while you probably know this, layer your clothes, no cotton under any circumstances, extra socks, hat and gloves, tell a friend where you're going and when you're expecting to be back and, since I'm a trekking pole guy, I'd suggest them as well. I was reluctant to use them at first but now I love them. I find they make a huge difference.

Snow hiking in the San Gabriel's is awesome. Now all we need is some snow. I did Baldy last year in freaking early February and there were only patches. Hope that's not the case again this year.

Be safe and enjoy. Islip is a really fun day hike.

There currently is not any snow on Mt Islip, however that could change in the next 48 hours. You will need your ten essentials, crampons and snowshoes, an ice axe, a belay rope, harness and miscellaneous carbiners and a hiking buddy at the minimum. If you park a car at the trail head you need the adventure pass $5 a day $30 for the year.

Update: Snow has fallen! Highway 2 IS CLOSED FROM ISLIP SADDLE TO 5 MI WEST OF BIG PINES (LOS ANGELES CO) - DUE TO SNOW - MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE