Source and Summit Hikes: Mt. Wilson (5,710') Via Sturtevant Trail

Mount Wilson (5,710'), in height, is an average mountain peak by Southern California mountain standards. There are no commanding vistas from any one place on the summit, and in fact the actual summit is not very impressive, but is topped by an Oak Tree near a bump in the parking lot. Nonetheless, Mount Wilson is by far the most well known peak in Southern California, and considered a classic So Cal mountain (San Gorgonio, San Antonio and San Jacinto being the others). The mountain rapidly rises steeply from the towns of Pasadena and Monrovia to the south, Santa Anita Canyon and Chantry Flats from the east, Eaton Canyon from the west and the West Fork of the San Gabriel River from the north. Its lower slopes are covered with Southern California's classic vegetation, Chaparral, while its upper slopes are blessed with a wonderful oak and pine forest. Enormous Radio Towers gather in cluster to the west of the summit, while the world-famous Mt. Wilson Observatory is to the east of the summit. From different parts of the summit views can be attained of the Los Angeles Basin, the Inland Empire, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains, the steep valley of the San Gabriel River and the San Gabriel high country, Santiago Peak in Orange County, Mt. San Jacinto eighty miles away, and finally the gray alpine slopes of San Gorgonio Mountain.

Description: There are extensive trails to summit the peak of Mt. Wilson, and it is a fact that more trails approach Mt. Wilson than any other So Cal mountain. The easiest way (but, FAR from easy) is the Sturtevent Trail, which starts at Chantry Flats Recreation Area above Arcadia. On this route you begin on the extremely popular Gabrielino Trail into Santa Anita Canyon near famous Sturtevent Falls, into the upper ramparts of the watershed, through a pine and oak forest and up the extremely steep slopes of the eastern shoulder of Mt. Wilson. This is best done as a one way hike, with some one picking you up at the summit (just remember that the gates near the Observatory close by 5)

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Statistics:

Category: Strenuous

Miles: 8 (One Way)

Elevation Gain: 4000' (almost)

Location: Angeles National Forest

Pass Needed: Adventure Pass (if parking at Chantry Flats)

Directions: From the I-210 West in Monrovia, exit right on Santa Anita Ave, which in a few miles becomes Santa Anita Canyon Road or Chantry Flats Rd. (Forest Road 2N40) . Go up some windy turns for about 3 miles,and be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS for cars in the opposite directions. Park at Chantry Flats Parking Area, or be dropped off there.

The Hike:

From Chantry Flats take the paved Gabrielino Trail down the canyon past Winter Creek, where shortly after it becomes unpaved. From there continue walking through the lush riparian woodland along Santa Anita Creek, which when I went though was almost dry at this part. In about 1.5 miles from the Trailhead there is a 3 way signed Trail Junction . Straight the Sturtevent Falls or left to Mt. Wilson. There are two options the trail on the right or the left. You can take either one, because they join again in a mile. We took the lefternmost trail (The "Horse Trail") and left the riparian woodland into Chaparral and oaks woods. You reenter the dark riparian landscape, and 3.5 miles from Chantry Flats is Cascade Picnic Area, a midst shady alders and sycamores. Here Santa Anita Creek runs (I believe) all year long. Past Cascade half a mile, is Spruce Grove Trailcamp, which true to its name boasts the first real collection of Big Cone Spruces, but most of the forest is still Alders, Sycamores and Oaks. There are restrooms here, tables and fire pits. Past Spruce Grove a bit is a trail junction with the Gabrielino Trail (which you are on) and the Sturtevent Trail.

Go straight, onto the steep Sturtevent Trail. After the junction is Sturtevent Camp, a Protestant center, and then the Mt. Zion Trail junction Stay on the Sturtevent Trail. From here on to the summit, the next 3.5 miles is a true steepness testpiece for anySouthern California hiker. The trail now gains about 1,000' in one mile! Take the going slowly! Continue patiently through a beautifully shaded pine and oak woodland until you hit the first set of seemingly unending switchbacks. This too, is equally as steep, if not even more so. the next 2 miles from the first switchbacks, you probably won't soon forget. It is about as steep as climbing Mt. Baldy via the Ski Hut Trail.Continue on these switchbacks for the next 1,600'. Anyhow it is still an enjoyable time in God's wonderful pine forest. Keep a sharp eye out for deer. We saw a doe and two fawns.

Every now and then you will get views out of the dense forest towards Baldy and the high country, the basin, Mt. Harvard, and even San Gorgonio and Jacinto. When you are finally done with the switchbacks, you arrive at the summit plateau of Mt. Wilson and you must walk to the NORTH parking lot to climb the actual summit which is topped by a stately Interior Live Oak. Some of the surrounding peak on the mountain are taller, but according to the USGS coordinates, this

The Actual Summit

oak knoll 10; high than the North Parking lot is the actual summit. To reach the summit marker and dedication plaque, walk to the eastern end of the MAIN parking lot. Enjoy your view, and, maybe, go into the free Mt. Wilson Observatory museum and "CHARRA" Exhibit (be sure To visit the amazing 100" Telescope.) Thank your Creator! Remember the Skyline Park gates near the summit close around 5, so, make sure you are out of there before then. See if you can find four Southern California county high point from the summit!* Catch you ride back down (or go back...) and enjoy your wonderful (but strenuous) hike in the wilderness, Our Lord made for us!

~Blessed Mother Mary, Pray For Us! St. Peter Julian Eymard, Pray For Us! ~

Los Angles County

Angeles National Forest

Hiked August 3rd, 2013

*San Antonio (Los Angeles 10,068'), San Gorgonio (San Bernardino 11,503'), San Jacinto (Riverside, 10,834') , Santiago (Orange County, 5,687')

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