With only minor topographical prominence the peak is not naturally noticeable from a distance, although it is easily identifiable due to the large number of antennas near its summit. Best trails near mount wilson, california alltrails. Mt wilson trail park, 189 e mira monte ave, sierra madre, ca 91024. A strenuous climb up the historic trail rewards you with a mile high vista of southern california and views through the historic telescope delivered by mule. The mount wilson toll road 18911936 is a historic roadway which ascended mount wilson via a vehicular passable road from the base of the foothills in altadena. It is the location of the mount wilson observatory, which is an important astronomical facility in southern california with historic 60inch 1,524 mm and 100inch 2,540 mm telescopes, and 60foot 18.
Standing prominently above pasadena, mount wilson is a southern california landmark. I dont always agree with the authors choices for best or descriptions, but its nice that they break the trails out into categories. I created socal hiker while preparing to thru hike the john muir trail. The upper and middle trail, at least, are very narrow in spots, and the trail is even washed out in a couple of places. The mount wilson trailhead sits near a small park just north of sierra madre, and it is easily to miss if you arent there on the weekend when you are likely to see plenty of other cars and hikers. You will start your hike at the mount wilson trail head.
The mt wilson hike from chantry flat is a nice loop that has tree cover for most of the way. Hiking project is part of the rei coop family, where a life outdoors is a life well lived. Wilson trail ascending from little santa anita canyon and intersecting manzanita ridge. The trail is challenging, and the first part can be very hot. He arrived in california in 1841, intending to continue to china. Wilson, one of the tallest peaks in southern california. I try a lot of hiking boots and shoes, and there are some great options out there, but the. You park on the street for free around mt wilson trail park and walk a few minutes up the street to the actual trailhead. Because of the clear air, level land, and close proximity to civilization, the summit of mount wilson was an ideal spot to build an astronomical observatory.
Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Mount wilson observatory bringing astronomy to an isolated. Dont take our word for it book a shuttle and experience it for yourself. Wilson, follow the kenyondevore trail back until it meets mt. Wilson loop via sturtevant and winter creek trails. It passes a fork to first water stay left and contours around the side of the mountain, and in 2 miles enters an oak and bay shaded section of trail. In this guide ill be providing directions, photos, maps, and a hike description. A trail that leads to mount wilson observatory which was founded in 1904, the trail is the site to the second oldest race in california. San bernardino mountain trails took me on many backpacks with friends plus my first solo backpacks, and the book covers my favorite southern california wildernesses, san gorgonio and san jacinto.
Lowe, who is credited for being the first person to set foot on and plant the american flag at its peak, and who built the mount lowe railway to its foot in 1896. Looking for a great trail in mount wilson trail park, california. However, the ride described here takes you henninger flats, the closest and easiest destination to get to as you climb up and along the toll road. After passing through a residential area, you reach a vehicle gate. Emma, yes i have hiked all of the sixpack of peaks as day hikes, and that seems to be what most people do. Standing prominently above pasadena, mount wilson is a southern. Youll take an epic private hike tour of las famous mt. I try a lot of hiking boots and shoes, and there are some great options out. The installation of the harvard telescope, along with the problems encountered in transporting the instrument up the old trail, caused a renewal of interest in a mt. Hiking trails around mount wilson mount wilson, ca aarp in your city.
The challenging 14mi scenic loop through the san gabriel mountains will take you to sturtevant falls and climb 4,200ft to the historic mount wilson observatory at an elevation of 5,712. Maps of the trails and the land around the hills should be studied before attempting to hike the area for the first time. This hike is part of the socal california sixpack of peaks challenge, a series of challenging hikes up six, diverse and scenic bay area mountains. Mount wilson observatory pasadena, california atlas obscura. Climbing photos at mount wilson california uploaded by users of. Here, you intersect the old mount wilson trail coming up from little santa anita canyon see hike 40. In turn wilsons trail became the predecessor of the mount wilson toll road. Mount wilson trail sierra madre 2020 all you need to know. Wilson, california part 1 benjamins mountain by marvin collins. Experiencing the san gabriel mountains on the mount wilson trail by dr. Wilson trail trailhead is located within the city limits of sierra madre. Both are firstcome, firstserve and can get busy on weekends and holidays. The 5,7 foot summit is home for an observatory responsible for the.
Wilson, born in 1811 in tennessee, was a fur trapper by trade. From interstate 210, head north on santa anita avenue right if you are coming from the east, left if you are coming from the west. Looking for a great trail near mount wilson, california. Wilson trail is a former gabrielino indian trail that snaked through breathtaking little santa anita canyon to the top of mt. During the mexican war he joined up with the gringos, was captured, and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner. Wilson toll road mountain bike trail, altadena, california.
Mount wilson observatorys cosmic cafe cafe offers a variety of freshmade sandwiches and other treats and souvenirs to visitors to the observatory. Take a hike along the mount wilson trail to first water trail and youll be treated to one of the most refreshing hikes in southern california. Sturtevant and winter creek trail loop is a 14 mile heavily trafficked loop trail. Wilson using the sturtevant trail and include side trip options for mt. Choose your route wisely and make sure it is in your abilities. Wilson before, but this was my first hike on the mount wilson trail. The first hike of the socal six pack of peaks is mount wilson via chantry flats. This long yet very doable 14 mile mt wilson hike offers great views and a tough. Here you can see all the hikes logged for mount wilson in our 2020 challenge, with the most recent at the top. The san gabriels the mountain country from soledad canyon to lytle creek, john w. Hiking southern california is your ticket to rewarding adventures in the backcountry of the southern third of the golden state, including death valley national park, mojave national preserve, the san gabriel mountains, and joshua tree national park. A map and driving directions to mount wilson observatory are available here. Trail guide for a hike to jones peak from bailey canyon or little santa anita canyon via mt.
The cafe is located in the pavilion overlooking the large parking lot at the entrance to the observatory. Mountain climbing weather forecasts for 2 elevations of mount wilson california, san gabriel mountains, pacific coast ranges, united states. The facts and figures are accurate and the history of each trail makes you a little nostalgic for an era of southern california s past long gone. The mount wilson trail is located near the mount lowe railway descent, but it is a much less mountain bikefriendly descent.
I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Trails trail finder united states california mount wilson mount wilson hiking. Honestly, we at the shuttles dont understand why everyone focuses on mt. Locally, your best sources for these materials are the following three outlets. Hiking mt wilson via the chantry flats trailhead makes for a long, strenuous hike. Wilson on the first of the six pack peak challenge.
White settlers in the area used the trail in the mid to late 19th century for access to the harvesting of pine and spruce higher on the slope of the canyon. Wilson trail easier to access, its also a greater physical challenge, while providing far more solitude on trail. Hiking books and maps mount shasta trail association. Best trails in mount wilson trail park california alltrails. Mount wilson hiking trail, sierra madre, california hiking project. Mount lowe is a mountain on the southern fold of the san gabriel mountains. Note that they are long and challenging day hikes, and we often started hiking at 6am and hiked most of the day, but yes day hiking them is a popular choice. This hike is intended to be a very easy almost touristic walk hike in at the peak area of mount wilson.
Pasadena, california see all at the peak of mount wilson in the san gabriel mountains, overlooking the vast l. Mount wilson hiking trail, sierra madre, california. A comprehensive hiking guide and san bernardino mountain trails. This 15mile roundtrip hike will take you the the top of mount wilson, where youll enjoy sweeping views beside the mount wilson observatory. Orchard camp day hike hosted by great outdoors, orange county long beach 2000 events writeups. Wilson loop via sturtevant and winter creek trails location. This hike starts at chantry flat, which gives you a gentler climb to the mt wilson summit. Chantry flat recreation area, sierra madre, ca, 91011, usa. In 1864, when the region was first becoming settled, there was a limited supply of timber for the growing community. View more property details, sales history and zestimate data on zillow. Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout southern california and occasionally beyond. Jul 25, 2014 the first hike of the socal six pack of peaks is mount wilson via chantry flats. A strenuous climb up the historic trail rewards you with a mile high vista of southern california and views through the historic telescope delivered by mule way back in 1900. Mount wilson is prominent, rising from 1,100 to 5,712 over pasadena.
Personally i think the author was a hiking machine, because on several of the trails his estimation for the length of time a hike would take would mean i would have to jog up and down mount wilson. Mountain trails, in addition to three high sierra hiking guides and five books on. This is a tough 14 mile hike with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain. This handy guidebook features detailed descriptions of more than 50 classic hikes, with accurate. California is so full of amazing places to hike and this book is a good push in the right direction. Mount lees hiking trails and fire roads are part of griffith park. The hike house sedona trail rating system provides actual hiker feedback and ratings of each of the sedona hiking trails.
Wilson observatory, established by harvard college in 1889. After gathering at the meeting location, we will caravan northeast on the angeles crest highway 2 turn your headlights on well consolidate any cars as needed and then start our drive up to mount wilson. The trail climbs the cliffs from the 6,200foot first bench of wilson moutain up to the top of the mountain, with incredible overlooks on both the north rim and the south rim. Perhaps the most famous summit in the san gabriels, mount wilson has served as a gateway into the mountains since the indigenous tongva blazed a trade path up little santa anita canyon to the top.
When you come to a traffic light where you have to go either right or left, go left to the next light and that is baldwin ave. Wilson, and include his previous book the story of mt. While hale was a student, mount wilson began to attract attention as a potential observatory site when e. National weather service jpl station on mount wilson richard bells weather station at the roll off telescope shed on the mountain accurate humidity info goes west satellite loop. San bernardino mountain trails took me on many backpacks with friends plus my first solo backpacks, and the book covers my favorite southern california wildernesses, san. Sturtevant and winter creek trail loop california alltrails. Also known as the silver pick approach stemming from the mine located at the head of fall river creek, the silver pick mine, this is the most efficient and direct route to gain the summit of wilson peak. Wilson mountain is the highest mountain in the area, topping out at 7,122 feet. View all mount wilson trip reports the sixpack of peaks challenge.
Its a good hike to do on hot days because of the shade. Start from red box and go down the gabrieleno trail to the kenyondevore trail and follow that to the pavillion a. Both are on the route described in my guide to mt wilson via chantry flats. Mount wilson is a peak in the san gabriel mountains, located within the san gabriel mountains. Wilson trail has a history unlike any other in california. Aside from a little dip at the start and end, the hike climbs steadily toward the mt wilson summit. Mount wilson trail sierra madre 2020 all you need to. Wilson trail, angeles national forest, san gabriel mountains. It is a steep, relentless climb from the foothills of sierra madre to manzanita ridge sometimes called santa anita ridge.
Awol on the appalachian trail is david millers account of this thruhike along the entire 2,172 miles from georgia. Mount wilson, ca weather conditions weather underground. Detailed 6 day mountain weather forecasts for climbers and mountaineers planning expeditions. Hiking, biking and paddling books for the active outdoor lifestyle. Mount wilson trail mountain bike trail in pasadena. The first mile of the trail is on a sandy singletrack with little shade. The cumulative trail ratings for the wilson mountain trail submitted by fellow hikers is located above with the trail data. It was accessible from pasadena via santa anita avenue nowadays the northsouth portion of altadena drive which drove right to the front porch of the toll house. Originally named oak mountain, it was renamed for professor thaddeus s. Several of the photos posted supposedly from mt wilson seem to actually be of. Trails of the angeles covers many of my favorite dayhikes, especially mt.
Wilson toll road can take you to a few different trails and destinations, the most obvious of which being the mt. Nice historical background and hike report with photos. I decided to challenge myself with a very hard hike to the top of mt wilson in the sierra madre area. The fifth season is a complete outdoor store with equipment, rentals, maps and books. Wilson, california part 21889 to 1940 benjamins mountain by marvin collins. Chantry flat hiking map, strawberry peak, arroyo seco, mount lowe, red box, colby canyon, josephine peak trails.
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