Mount Wilson Trail
12.8 mi
Distance
4 hrs 47 min
Time
terrain
4,587 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult out and back trail in Angeles National Forest.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Hiked Weds 03/08/23 – The main trail is in great shape (thanks to the work of some very diligent caretakers) and the elevation gain steady, making it easier to pace. The numerous view points along the trail are definitely worth the effort. Geared up with a full pack for the snow on top and started early with the weather warmer than expected. Was a nice change to hike on bare ground for the first time this winter after forfeiting my San Gorgonio/San Jacinto permits due to the recent forest closures. Hiking on snow didn’t start until about the 5 mile mark before but icy enough to warrant putting on micro spikes for several slippery uphill patches. The trail from the mahogany bench on Manzanita Ridge to the Mt. Wilson summit is well boot packed but with several downed tree crossings to keep things interesting. Since it was early morning, I was able to avoid postholing while passing plenty of 3 foot deep misery marks left by some less-fortunate hikers. There were a few people working up top on the antennas and observatory but it was closer to a ghost town. On the way from Mt. Wilson to Mt. Harvard, the snow softened and I had to use my snowshoes to avoid post holing on the way up Harvard. After a couple of snow shoe slides coming down the side of Mt Harvard, I switched to crampons to get back to the bench and then micro spikes for miles 5 to 4 on the way out. Nice to hear the roar of water going down Little Santa Anita Creek on the way out! Logged a little over 18 miles and 5221 vertical feet by Gaia.
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Well I started around 6:17am started heading up and already can feel it a bit. Very few people, it was really nice, quiet, fresh on the way up, but the way down felt like a desert finished my water supply at mile 12 but it was worth the trip. I recommend it on fresher months if you and the heat are not friends
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Challenging but very doable. Almost 5000ft of Elevar gain to the summit.
Well marked and well maintained. Fairly crowded at lower elevations but sparse higher up. Just a walk up with no scrambling. Really nice views throughout hike. Decent shade after first mile or so. Can get hot so bring plenty of water…none available along the way.
Water & bathrooms available at the summit. Sometimes the restaurant is open too.
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I was attempting the Chantry Flats loop, but went to the wrong trail head (this was my first try at this hike). We hiked from the mount Wilson trail head to the radio towers, and it was BRUTAL. It’s pretty steep on the way up this route, and very uneven, which caused me severe issues with my sciatica. Even though this is lower altitude, I found it more challenging than Mt Baldy
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Some damage to the trail from the recent rains, but nothing impassible and volunteers are already doing grading. During the government shut down there is a sign that the trail is closed, but there are no obstacles. (The chantry flats trailhead cannot be accessed right now). Half of the trail had shade, the observatory on top has running water.
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Public Tracks
Mt. Wilson via Sierra Madre
Starting in the Sierra Madra, East Pasadena, it’s an out & back with the option to go longer once on top of Mt. Wilson which is 7 miles out and you’ll have run 14 miles by the time you get back to your car.You can go up as long or as short as wished. For most “The Bench” at 5.5 miles will be a good point to turn around instead of adding the additional 1.5 uphill mileage to Mt. Wilson parking lot where the antennas are build but where you also have potable water to refill water reservoirs.
Trailhead location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/pdY5sfMLXtJ2
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