Several of the photos posted supposedly from mt wilson seem to actually be of. Emma, yes i have hiked all of the sixpack of peaks as day hikes, and that seems to be what most people do. Wilson, cross the paved road and go up a paved path towards the restrooms and cosmic cafe hours vary by season. Wilson trail trailhead is located within the city limits of sierra madre.
Wilson, one of the tallest peaks in southern california. Aside from a little dip at the start and end, the hike climbs steadily toward the mt wilson summit. A trail that leads to mount wilson observatory which was founded in 1904, the trail is the. Henninger campground is a sprawling trail camp in a scenic and special pine forest on henninger flats in the san gabriel mountains. 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. Mount wilson trail mountain bike trail in pasadena. Today, the road is a popular hiking destination leading to henninger flats and mount wilson. Perfect for first time hikers, and those who have never been at mt wilson peak. Robinson, a fullerton resident, was perhaps best known for his book.
The mt wilson trail became a favorite hike for tourists, leading to the development. The mt wilson hike from chantry flat is a nice loop that has tree cover for most of the way. 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. Wilson trail is a former gabrielino indian trail that snaked through breathtaking little santa anita canyon to the top of mt. California hiking the complete guide to of the best hikes in california. There are multiple ways to summit this peak, but the most popular routes are rock of ages and the kilpacker trailhead. The trail leads to the top of mount wilson where hikers will find an display observatory. Well get to see a first view from the parking lot area and visit the cosmic cafe. Fuji, aconcagua towers over santiago, rainier shadows seattle, table mountain inspires cape town, and mount wilson is peak that angelinos look to each day. 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.
Chantry flat to mount wilson via winter creek california alltrails. Wilson toll road closed to the public in march, 1936 and was turned over to the united states forest service. 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. 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. It is widely considered one of the most difficult 14ers in colorado. Comet atlas as viewed from mount wilson observatory.
This is a tough 14 mile hike with over 4,000 feet of elevation gain. The easiest access point is the corner of pinecrest drive and bowring drive in altadena. You will start your hike at the mount wilson trail head. The new angeles crest highway was paved and ready for travel into red box canyon and onward to mt.
Mount wilson is a 14,250foot hike located just outside telluride, colorado in the lizard head wilderness. Books about the san gabriel mountainsrecreation tom chesters. 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. Trail guide for a hike to jones peak from bailey canyon or little santa anita canyon via mt. 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. 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. In turn wilsons trail became the predecessor of the mount wilson toll road. No parking is allowed on weekends in the immediate vicinity of the access gate at 2260 pinecrest drive and it is limited to 2 hours during the weekdays, which is not nearly enough time to complete an 18mile hike. In this guide ill be providing directions, photos, maps, and a hike description. Wilson trail 189 e mira monte ave sierra madre, ca.
Mount wilson trail sierra madre 2020 all you need to know. Its a good hike to do on hot days because of the shade. Wilson, born in 1811 in tennessee, was a fur trapper by trade. Detailed 6 day mountain weather forecasts for climbers and mountaineers planning expeditions. Wilson mountain is the highest mountain in the area, topping out at 7,122 feet. Wilson using the sturtevant trail and include side trip options for mt. 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. The mount wilson trail on mira monte avenue in pasadena is a very sceinc way to see some of the area and get some good exercise, too. Hiking mt wilson via the chantry flats trailhead makes for a long, strenuous hike. Popular destinations along the trail include first water and native botanical area orchard camps. Standing prominently above pasadena, mount wilson is a southern california landmark. An alternative, and the subject of this guide, is my favorite route to the summit of mt. Robinson, legendary author of hiking guides, histories of. Mountain trails, in addition to three high sierra hiking guides and five books on.
Wilson trail, angeles national forest, san gabriel mountains. Wilson, california part 21889 to 1940 benjamins mountain by marvin collins. Wilson loop via sturtevant and winter creek trails. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. The first hike of the socal six pack of peaks is mount wilson via chantry flats. You park on the street for free around mt wilson trail park and walk a few minutes up the street to the actual trailhead. Mount wilson trail and his latest, gateways to southern california, a. An introduction to the trail network of mount wilson, this.
Here you can see all the hikes logged for mount wilson in our 2020 challenge, with the most recent at the top. We think this rugged waterfall hike in southern california is just what you need to add a touch of adventure to your day. The trail then climbs a series of switchbacks through forest then open chaparral finally. Chantry flat to mount wilson via winter creek california. Mount wilson is a peak in the san gabriel mountains, located within the san gabriel mountains. Mt wilson trail park, 189 e mira monte ave, sierra madre, ca 91024. Trails of the angeles covers many of my favorite dayhikes, especially mt. Although mount wilson observatory remains closed due to covid19, blake estes, on our maintenance staff, is an expert astrophotographer and will be imaging the comet from the mountain when weather allows. You can find this scenic trail by heading to the trailhead that can be found at mount wilson trail, sierra madre, ca 91024. Wilson loop via sturtevant and winter creek trails location. Wilson trail easier to access, its also a greater physical challenge, while providing far more solitude on trail. Wilson on the first of the six pack peak challenge. Chantry flat hiking map, strawberry peak, arroyo seco, mount lowe, red box, colby canyon, josephine peak trails.
Mount wilson hiking trail, sierra madre, california. This hike is intended to be a very easy almost touristic walkhike in at the peak area of mount wilson. He arrived in california in 1841, intending to continue to china. The trail is also the site of the annual mount wilson trail race, the second oldest race of its kind in california. View all mount wilson trip reports the sixpack of peaks challenge. Youll take an epic private hike tour of las famous mt. The first telescope at the summit observatory was brought up this trail in 1889. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking. Wilson, california part 1 benjamins mountain by marvin collins.
Mount wilson via mount wilson trail outdoor project. If you are a hiking purest who prefers trekking on single track hiking trails, id recommend making an exception here. The trail is an outandback and less millage than the full loop. What makes it great mount wilson is prominent, rising from 1,100 to 5,712 over pasadena. This 15mile roundtrip hike will take you the the top of mount wilson, where youll enjoy sweeping views beside the mount wilson observatory. After passing through a residential area, you reach a vehicle gate. Mount wilson hike logs are you taking the socal sixpack of peaks challenge.
The trail is challenging, and the first part can be very hot during the summer. Mount wilson trail sierra madre 2020 all you need to. 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. 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 toll road, widened from a foot trail, was the first road to the summit from altadena. The mount wilson trail is located near the mount lowe railway descent, but it is a much less mountain bikefriendly descent. The angeles crest highway, a national scenic byway, was opened in 1935 and provides access to mount wilson via one of the most striking drives in southern california. During the mexican war he joined up with the gringos, was captured, and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner.
194 803 839 554 1448 1054 1322 1193 550 583 1062 1309 1366 1457 772 846 181 396 397 1007 198 989 800 433 1112 588 1486 1027 968 692 1133 1080 720 77 1333