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 Accomplishments
Since its inception in 1984, the San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders has refined a system which allows a continuous work schedule throughout the year. This is achieved by performing trail work at high elevations during the summer months and at low elevations in the winter.
Some of the major trails constructed in the Angeles National Forest by the San Gabriel Mountains Trailbuilders include:
 Islip Ridge Trail climbs from Crytal Lake (5575') 3.9 miles to the junction of the Big Cienega Trail (8080'), then continues .9 mile up the ridge to the junction (8080') just below the summit of Mt. Islip (8250"). Los Angeles Times hiking columnist and best-selling author, John McKinney, has this to say about the trail: "The best hike in the Crystal Lake area is up Islip Ridge. Connoisseurs will appreciate the look—and feel—of hand-built Islip Ridge Trail. The moderate grade, well-engineered swithcbacks, the rockwork and the way the path gently crosses the land are due to the skill and hard work of dedicated volunteers, particularly the San Gabriel Mountains Trail Builders." (Walking Southern California: A Day Hiker's Guide, HarperCollins West, 1994, P. 157) Big Cienega Trail (sometimes spelled Big Cienaga Trail) climbs 1.8 miles from the Windy Gap Trail (6560') to the Islip Ridge Trail (8080'). The trail was dedicated on September 29, 1990, Labor Day weekend. The trail features a moderate grade and nice rockwork. Read the descriptions at Dan's Hiking Pages and at Wildernet.com.- Hawkins Ridge Trail begins at the Pacific Crest Trail (8390') one half mile west of Mt. Hawkins and traverses Hawkins Ridge 2.3 miles to Hawkins Truck Trail (7470'), .6 miles from South Mount Hawkins (7783'). Historian and best-author, John Robinson, has this to say about the trail: "This circle trip climbs over or around all four of Nellie's [Hawkins] namesakes in covering the high country northwest and east of Crystal Lake. The highlight of the trip is following the new trail, built by Charles Jones and his San Gabriel Trailbuilders, along the ridge between Mt. Hawkins and South Hawkins Lookout road, with spectacular views both ways—into the Crystal Lake Basin to the west, and across the wild, trailless Iron Fork country to the east." (Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels, Wilderness Press, 7th Edition, 1998, p. 147)
- Wawona Cut-off Trail begans at the lake parking lot at Crystal Lake and climbs southwest about 1.25 miles to Islip Ridge to the beginning of the Islip Ridge Trail.
- Clear Creek Trail is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District outdoor education facility at Clear Creek. Over many winters, the SGMTB rerouted and refurbished numerous trails from the camp to the creek and also built a substantial bridge on one of the trails.
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