Jackson Lake
Photo: SuZi Zimmermann, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 4.2 mi
- round trip
- 1,199 ft
- climb
- 7,398 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Is Jackson Lake open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 7 alerts for Angeles National Forest.
Rincon-Redbox Road (2N24) Closure
Agency alert covering Angeles National Forest · Order 05-01-26-13 · USFS · Angeles National Forest
Fire Danger Level Elevated to "Very High"
Agency alert covering Angeles National Forest · USFS · Angeles National Forest
San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area Prohibitions
Agency alert covering Angeles National Forest · Order 05-01-26-09 · USFS · Angeles National Forest
San Dimas Experimental Forest Closure
Agency alert covering Angeles National Forest · USFS · Angeles National Forest
Eaton Fire Area Closure
Agency alert covering Angeles National Forest · Order 05-01-26-04 · USFS · Angeles National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Angeles National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Jackson Lake is a 4.2-mile out-and-back hike in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District of Angeles National Forest in California. The route rises from about 6,185 feet to 7,398 feet, a gain of roughly 1,200 feet, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes. It's a straightforward climb up to the lake, and the out-and-back shape makes it easy to pace. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Wrightwood run to highs around 69°F in May and 75°F in September, with July and August in the low 80s. That station sits about 1,400 feet below the high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Mountain Oak campground is just 0.1 mile away, and Lake Campground is about 0.4 mile off. The Jackson Lake Interpretive trail and the Jackson Flat Interpretive trail are also within a mile.
Mountain OakCampingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain0.1 mi- Jackson Lake InterpretiveHikingPhoto: SuZi Zimmermann, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)0.2 mi
- Lake CampgroundCamping0.4 mi
- Peavine CampgroundCamping0.7 mi
Jackson Flat InterpretiveHikingPhoto: Rennett Stowe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)0.9 mi- Pinyon Ridge Truck TrailHiking1.3 mi
Behind the ScenesRock climbingPhoto: Michael R Perry, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)7.2 mi
Devil's PunchbowlRock climbingPhoto: RuggyBearLA, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)7.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- Jackson Flat InterpretiveHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: Rennett Stowe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Dawson SaddleHiking · ~8 min drivePhoto: mjhbower, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
North Devils BackboneHiking · ~12 min drivePhoto: On^ste82, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
South Fork TrailHiking · ~13 min drivePhoto: Alfa117, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Half Knob TrailHiking · ~13 min drivePhoto: jesse?, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Jackson Flat GeologicalHiking · ~2 min drivePhoto: Rennett Stowe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Hawkins Ridge TrailHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: mjhbower, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
South Hawkins TrailHiking · ~13 min drivePhoto: mjhbower, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
Limber Pines VistaHiking · ~5 min drivePhoto: mjhbower, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
Big Cienega TrailHiking · ~12 min drivePhoto: mjhbower, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
Also worth it near here
PCT Grassy HollowMountain biking · ~2 min drivePhoto: Tracie Hall from Orange County, us, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- Table Mountain (angeles)Camping · ~4 min drive
Mountain HighDownhill skiing · ~5 min drivePhoto: Mtf612 at English Wikipedia, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Mount Baden-PowellSummit · ~5 min drivePhoto: The original uploader was Jakerome at English Wikipedia./ Simonov, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Best time to visit Jackson Lake
Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
48° / 26°
5 wet
Feb
48° / 25°
8 wet
Mar
54° / 29°
6 wet
Apr
60° / 32°
4 wet
May
69° / 39°
2 wet
Jun
78° / 44°
1 wet
Jul
83° / 53°
2 wet
Aug
82° / 51°
2 wet
Sep
75° / 46°
2 wet
Oct
64° / 37°
3 wet
Nov
55° / 29°
4 wet
Dec
47° / 25°
5 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wrightwood, CA, 5.6 mi away at 6,000 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
