Distance: 8 mile round trip
Elevation: 1,550 feet total gain
Trailhead Directions: Drive to Grizzly Flat Road (2N79) on Angeles Crest Hwy. SR-2. Park in the large lot on the left opposite mileage paddle 30.64.
The Hike: We will hike about a mile on 2N79 to a water tank where we will turn right at the beginning of the Hoyt Mountain Trail, a poorly maintained dirt utility company road. We will ascend to the last utility pole at George's Gap, a gain of 900 ft. from the parking lot. Here we have a cookie break and enjoy the view.
We continue on the Hoyt Mt. Trail descending 600 ft. on what was a road many years ago, but is more like a trail today. A sign will say George's Gap Vista. We continue a few yards more to a sign saying Pines Picnic Area at which point, we turn to the right*. After a 250 ft. elevation climb, there is a delightful camp in a pine forest. We will eat lunch on picnic benches a short way into the pines. Return to the trailhead the way we came.
*Be sure to avoid taking another trail leading away from George's Gap Vista. The trail has no views and goes through scrubby brush to Highway 2 miles from our parking place.