NOT FOR BEGINNERS
This is a strenuous 13.6 +/- mile hike, out and back to the top of Mount Wilson. The first (and last) mile is fully exposed.
The Mount Wilson Trail was built in 1864 by Benjamin “Don Benito” Wilson. He had planned to use it to bring down timber for his ranch. Not much timber was cut, and the trail was repurposed to construct the first Mt. Wilson Observatory, established by Harvard College in 1889.
The trailhead for the Mt. Wilson Trail can be found right next to the historic Lizzie’s Trail Inn. From 1906 to 1950, the The Pacific Electric railway brought thousands of aspiring Mt. Wilson hikers to Sierra Madre. In 1890, a lunch stand was created at the base of the Mt. Wilson Trail to serve the hikers heading up and down the trail. From 1925 to 1935, the stand was operated by Lizzie McElwain, and this is when Lizzie’s Trail Inn became famous. A menu of fried chicken, ravioli, and distilled spirits (in the age of prohibition) was a hit. The business closed in 1948, and is now preserved as a museum for the public good.
Trail Description:
From the intersection of Mira Monte Avenue and Mt. Wilson Trail Drive, walk up the drive about 150 yards to the beginning of the marked trail on the left. Follow the trail briefly up to a ridge top road where you’re greeted by another trail sign. Veer to your left and follow the road to the main trail as it begins to climb, high on the western slope of Little Santa Anita Canyon.
At the 1.5 mile mark you reach the trail junction with First Water — so named because it’s the first place where you can get water. There is a junction here that leads down a short spur trail to the creek, where there is in fact water running most of the time.
The trail continues to climb up Little Santa Anita Canyon and at 3.5 miles you reach Orchard Camp. This is roughly the halfway point up to the summit of Mt. Wilson, earning it the nickname of the Halfway House.
At one time there were a number of cabins and buildings at Orchard Camp to support the construction of the Mt. Wilson Observatory. Today all that remains are some concrete steps and fragments of the foundations. It’s a good place to take a snack break and catch your breath.
Continuing on past Orchard Camp, there is another steep ascent to reach Manzanita Ridge and The Bench. From this junction it’s another 2.4 miles to the summit of Mt. Wilson. This is also the point that the Mt. Wilson Trail meets up with the Gabrielino Trail (The Mt. Wilson route from Chantry Flat).
We will take a break at the top under the shaded pavilion that also houses the Cosmic Cafe. Refill your water and load up on Cosmic Cafe fare if you like, or just bring your own lunch. https://www.mtwilson.edu/cosmic-cafe/
Getting to the Trail:
From I-210, take the Baldwin Ave. exit, head north for 1.5 miles through downtown Sierra Madre and turn right on Mira Monte. The park will be on the left in 0.2 mile. Park where available. We will meet at the park.
And, if you want more information on the history of the Mount Wilson Trail, check out this website, http://www.dankat.com/mstory/trail.htm
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
I am a volunteer (i.e. not liable for the group). Safety is a priority for everyone in the group. Think of this as hiking with a group of friends.
