South Mount Hawkins is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, and contained within the Angeles National Forest.

The mountain was named after Nellie Hawkins, a popular waitress of the Squirrel Inn located on the North Fork of the San Gabriel River.

According to the California State Library, "Cold Brook Camp, located within the Angeles National Forest, [was] very popular with campers.

[7] The Forest Service has abandoned[8] the 7-mile (11 km) long dirt road which goes from the Deer Flats Group Campground[9] located within the Crystal Lake Recreation Area all the way to the concrete platform upon which the fire watch tower used to stand.

Hikers and bicycle riders still find the road passable to the top of South Mount Hawkins however there are washouts along the way and it is strewn with rocks and boulders, making the Deer Flat route up to the mountain difficult.