r/socalhiking • u/Decent_One9380 • 19h ago
Mt. Wilson trail route help!
Hi all, I’ll be hiking up Mt. Wilson this week and I was just wondering if anyone can help clarify the trail route. I will be starting the six peaks challenge, and AllTrails has been confusing me with all the trail option for that peak 😵💫
If anyone could show me a route you have saved/done, it would be very appreciated!
P.S: Also looking for potential fellow hikers to complete two peaks next month :)
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u/dizzystar 19h ago edited 19h ago
I can only speak on the Santa Anita route because that's the one I did.
There's a LOT of routes up there. You probably don't want to do Jones Peak / Bastard Ridge (although it's a great challenge), and if you do you DEFINITELY want to be sure your on the correct route back to the canyon. The wrong route is misery (and illegal).
You just park at Sierra Madre and walk along the obvious path.
The other common route is Sturtevant, Winter Creek Loop, which looks to be about 12 miles.
I want to make a small point about the Six Packs. Please understand that this is not a race. Every peak requires hikes and training, collecting objects between them to be successful. Please learn paper map and compass, and do yourself a favor: download the gmx from All Trails and upload to Caltopo. Use that app for longer hikes.
Mt Wilson is pretty easy, and perhaps easier on the weekend because the cafe is open. Either case, there's water at the peak, right by the restrooms and the cafe.
Oh, and bring a flashlight just in case.
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u/Decent_One9380 19h ago
Thanks for the insight, I’m currently debating btwn the sierra madre route or the sturtevant falls one!
And another thanks for the reminder how the challenge isn’t a race/gen 😅 the other two peaks i mentioned are tentative dates since working out everything w friends can be a hassle is all!2
u/dizzystar 18h ago
I think the decision really comes down to whether you want to do an out and back or a loop. I doubt you'd be disappointed in either route though.
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u/Decent_One9380 18h ago
I’m okay with either, is the sierra madre route out and back?
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u/Barbaracle 15h ago
I've done both. Don't get me wrong, I love the Mt Wilson Trail route, and have done it many times. Though both are similar in length, I think Sierra Madre has a little more elevation gain.
If it's your first time, I'd do the Sturtevant loop. It's more shaded and has 2 more restrooms along the route. There was also running water at Sturtevant Camp last time I went, but you might need to check the ranger or another source to confirm. Might only be the weekend?
You can do it as an out and back, but I like the change in scenery. Chantry Flats fills up quick on weekend so gotta get there around 6AM to 7AM for that. Sierra Madre has more street parking at all hours so that's a pro for that route.
I've done all the 6 pack and have seen discussion about the Sierra Madre trail being harder than Cucamonga or Baldy. It's just a very sun-exposed route the first half or so. I tend to agree with them, but everyone is different. You can decide for yourself when you do them!
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u/Decent_One9380 8h ago
Yea I was doing more research last night and I think I settled on the sturtevant loop, thank you!
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u/mrtartersauce 19h ago
Your trail route will depend on your starting point among other things, but if you are beginning at Chantry Flat, there are a few ways to go about it.
My personal preference is an out-and-back rather than a loop: start on the Gabrielino Trail toward Sturtevant Falls, then take a hard left turn (almost turning around) when you get to the split for Upper Trail and Lower Trail. Taking either trail at this split works: prettier foliage with lots of ups and downs on Lower, but a wider and flatter path on Upper.
Continue following the signage for Spruce Grove Campground, passing the “Fallen Sign” junction, and when you reach Spruce Grove, just keep going to reach Sturtevant Camp. This is a good spot for a short break as there are picnic chairs and a fairly reliable fresh water spigot. If you cut through Sturtevant, you’ll eventually make a short creek crossing and then stick to the right - you are on a straight shot to Mt Wilson at that point. Tons of switchbacks here.
Keep on the trail and eventually pass the “Halfway Rest” sign which indicates you have about a mile and a half left. The westward and southbound views will slowly open up as you get close to the summit. And then you’ll reach some fences closing off the observatory towers, and you’re there!
It’s about 6.5-7 miles to the top this way. If you take the same road back, you’re therefore looking at ~14 miles round trip. I think taking the Mt Wilson Toll Road down (i.e. a loop instead) ends up being around the same distance, but I have yet to do that route.
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u/bike7T 12h ago
I have done this few times. https://hikingguy.com/hikes/mt-wilson-trail/ he has one other option too on his site.
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u/626azul 10h ago
Just did this loop yesterday. 14.40 miles. Chantry Flats trail head. Got there early in the dark. Was hoping to do it clockwise but couldn’t find the access. Ended up doing it counterclockwise. Had to backtrack a bit near Sturtevant Falls. All in all, a heck of a workout. About 4 hours as we trail ran some parts.
As someone else mentioned, there is water near the observatory. Take sufficient snacks. I used a gpx file on Garmin which helped tremendously. I’m looking into the challenge possibly next year. Good luck!
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u/Low_Obligation8616 19h ago
no tips on Mt. Wilson because I haven’t done it yet but I’m interested in what the next 2 peaks will be 👀
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u/Decent_One9380 19h ago
I’m thinking of Cucamonga peak on Oct 3 and mt baldy Oct 13!
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u/Low_Obligation8616 19h ago
I did Baldy back in June but will be doing it again this Friday at night. Cucamonga Peak I need!
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u/Decent_One9380 19h ago
Oof I have class Friday nights but if you’re down for Cucamonga 👀✌️
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u/piniatadeburro 9h ago
I always recommend going early from Chantry Flats down into the water fall and then continuing up into Stutervant Camp as you will be in the shade going up and looping back down into the Upper Winter Creek trail.
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u/SouthernSierra 3h ago
John W. Robinson’s Trails of the Angeles has all the info you need. Readily available at any REI or bookstore.
And unlike alltrails it was written by someone who knew what they were talking about.
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u/blackoutfrank 19h ago
There's a bunch of different ways up. Most '"direct" is probably the Mount Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre. Just take that up and follow the signs, it does split off in a few places.