Mt Wilson was an amazing hike, utterly beautiful. The observatory at the top and the picture opportunities were fun. We hiked on a perfect weather day and enjoyed ice cream at Mother Moo Creamery at the bottom. Wonderful experience. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

Mt Wilson - Hiking Near Me

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+ Fun hike! Good exercise if - it weren't for the fires causing destruction. Mt Wilson trail is now in disrepair and inaccessible. No notice of when it'll reopen. - Before driving 1 hr up there, I searched online "mt wilson forecast" to check for road/trail closures. The websites don't mention any. I drive up there, turns out Mt Wilson is closed! D:{ + But thankfully Chantry Flat just 5min drive away is open. + Decent single restroom at the Mt Wilson trailhead. + There's a restaurant at Mt Wilson summit, near the Observatory haha . Moderate amount of shade on these trails. - Lots of flies on these trails trying to fly into my mouth. read more

Mt Wilson - I drive 1 hr to LA county to discover Mt Wilson is CLOSED! D8 Wish the websites were up-to-date. (2 of 2) - Hiking Near Me

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I was recently visiting Pasadena and this came up as something to do in the area. About a 40 minute drive from Colorado Ave in Pasadena. We decided to explore and give it a try. We made the drive up the windy mountain pass and were rewarded with snow, scenic views, and plenty of trees. Of course at the top is the Mt Wilson observatory for a fee. There are some hiking trails and plenty of people seemed to be taking advantage of them, even in the snow and cold. There is a large parking lot and just a few feet away it has spectacular views of the valley below, all the way to downtown Los Angeles and the nearby islands - probably the Channel islands or Catalina island or both. read more

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I have been wanting to share with our community a local spot that does not take too long to get to. It's a really nice ride and the pictures that I'm sharing its more beautiful in person. Mount Wilson has the Observatory, the hiking trails, clean restrooms and even a snack Bar .It's a very good place to relax for the afternoon and enjoy the view.We stopped to order some pastrami grinders, and had lunch up on the mountain. it's amazing how beautiful the SGV and the basin looks from above, especially above the cloud cover that's a whole different view. there's a huge parking space where you don't even have to get out of your car to see the view. read more

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We came here yesterday to visit the observatory and saw the nice views above the clouds. Fun to hike around the premises. Saw the 100-inch telescope via the public viewing gallery. Walked on the same bridge as Albert Einstein. Nice sunny clear day helped too! read more

Great hike but watch out for a parking TRAP set by CHP and park officials. DO NOT PARK ON THE ROAD. They will tow your car even though there are no signs prohibiting parking. There's no service there either so you'll be stuck. Make sure you're parked in a designated spot or wait for one. The city should be ashamed of themselves towing families cars on a Sunday. Was a complete racket as they had a parking official in nondescript clothing telling people to park along the road. Other than that it's a great hike. read more

For my 500th review, it shall be Mt. Wilson! Mt. Wilson gives another dimension to the lives of Angelenos. I am not aware of another place that is so close to the city providing a challenging hike up an actual mountain, a scenic drive through mountains and forests, and of course chance to see and feel snow in the winter. While it's not the most beautiful nor the tallest mountain in the area and the observatory up there is... not very visitor friendly, I don't think you can ask for more for a place so close to a major metropolitan city that is LA; it's all about accessibility! There are several ways to get to (or attempt to get to) Mt. Wilson. You can: Drive up the 2, the scenic Angeles Crest Highway from La Canada Flintridge, and take Mt. WIlson Red Box Road. It's a pretty scenic and winding drive, about 20 miles from where the highway starts. Once you get to Mt. Wilson and want to park, you will be required to have the $5 Adventure Pass. You can buy this at the Cosmic Cafe by the observatory once you're up there. As for hiking, there are 3 ways to get up to Mt. Wilson. Hike up from the west, east, or straight up from below it. 1. The hike from the west starts in the Altadena/Pasadena area via Mt. Wilson Toll Road. Best bet would be to start at Eaton Canyon and take the Toll Road up past Henninger Flats to the top. While the Toll Road provides for a very wide and safe trail, this hike isn't as scenic or as interesting as the others. This hike is almost 10 miles from Eaton Canyon, so it's about a 20 mile round trip. Alternatively, you can start your hike at Bailey Canyon Park in Sierra Madre and hike up past Jones and Hastings Peaks to the Toll Road; this would be about a 16 mile round trip hike. 2. The hike from the east starts from the Chantry Flats area. You hike the Big Santa Anita Canyon and take Sturtevant trail to Mt. Wilson at the Upper Zion Trail junction which would take you to the observatory side of Mt. Wilson. You can then come down on the Mt. Wilson trail from the Skyline Park parking lot, and transfer to Upper Winter Creek at Manzanita Ridge. This hike is about 15 miles rountrip, and offers the best amount of shade and with great scenery and I would say is the easiest way to hike to the top of Mt. Wilson. 3. The last way is to hike up via Mt. Wilson trail, one of the oldest trails in the area that pretty much goes from the base to the top. It starts in the streets of Sierra Madre and is about 15 miles round trip, though it can feel slightly more if you transfer to the Toll Road at the end instead of staying on the Mt. Wilson Trail. This is a beautiful trail, without much shade at first and then gets better. The spaces are open and you can look out to the city in the distance unlike the Chantry Flats route where you are often surrounded by trees and canyons. This is a very popular trail and has some pretty heavy traffic for at least the first half of the trail. If you're driving up to Mt. Wilson during the winter, be mindful of the chain requirements and road closures when the conditions get bad; you can check the status online. Also, the Skyline Park (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mount-wilson-observatory-mt-wilson-2?select=Xs0_1V6F34TNZFmiDytNuA#Xs0_1V6F34TNZFmiDytNuA) which is where the Cosmic Cafe and the observatory are located in closes during the winter so don't be a noob like me and hike up the mountain in the snow without bringing lunch expecting to eat at the cafe. They're closed from Dec. 1 to March 31 (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/mount-wilson-observatory-mt-wilson-2?select=Xs0_1V6F34TNZFmiDytNuA#7uJ05DgG-2triNXnDBstTQ). read more

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One of the toughest hikes that I have done. I had some friends who wanted to do a backpacking trip. It was our first backpacking trip ever. We parked at Chantry Flats and hiked to Spruce Grove to set up camp. After we had lunch, we headed up Mt. Wilson. It took us awhile to get to the top. The switchbacks were pretty brutal. It felt like they were never going to end! We were taking a decent amount of breaks as well. Fear not, there is a cafe at the top that serves amazing apple pie and a bunch of other goodies! A great treat/break for a brutal hike. The hike down was a lot easier. I would definitely recommend hiking when it is not to hot and sunny. The sun killed us! Overall, great hike. There's water refill stations at Sturtevant Camp and at Cosmic Cafe. read more

OK.... I'm rating this a 5star, but I will have to say, this kicked my ass. I have been working up to this hike for some time. Training 2-3 times per week, I thought I was ready to hit the summit of this monsterous peak..... well boy oh boy, was I in for a surprise. In the midst of being treated for upper respiratory infection, it probably wasn't the best idea to schedule a hike on this given day... but that's what we nurses do. We ventured to the top via Chantry Flats. The hike is absolutely beautiful, lots of water along the way (you know we Californians get excited at the sight of water). The incline is steady, and sometimes treacherous, but it is doable. We hiked for approximately 6hours before getting to the top. We did have a quick stop at Sturtevant Camp, took some photos and swung on the swing before continuing on. It was very foggy or maybe we were in a cloud. Once we got to the top, most of us lost battery life of our phones, but in reality, they were just too cold and shut off on their own. We trekked Champagne with us to the top so that we could pop some bubbly to celebrate our victory march. Our hands were so cold, we barely could open our bottles. I'm definitely a novice hiker, as I took out my rain jacket and gloves from my backpack prior to the hike... knowing that I needed room for my gourmet cheeses, crackers, and champagne. Huge mistake. My hands were so cold, my head was too. It started to drizzle up there, again, unprepared and longing for my jacket that I left on the kitchen table. There is a cute little museum up at the top of Mount Wilson Observatory. Doors were open and we gladly went in. Great little place for history of this magnificent gem in our backyards. Cosmic Cafe was naturally closed as it was a weekday. Wonderful bathrooms with ice cold running water to wash your cold hands with. We took an alternate route down which met up with the trail that we started at. This hike is a must do if you live in the area. Even if you don't, give it a try. read more

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Mt Wilson is a nice destination for hikers, children, and people of all ages. It can be reached by vehicle or by hiking from one of the various, surrounding trails. There is a nice covered picnic area with a cafe that is open during the summer months. The actual observatory is about 1/2 mile further. Views here are nice but not as spectacular as I had imagined them to be. If you hike to reach this area, the views are better on the way up. Still, it's worth visiting at least once, especially if you are a Los Angeles resident. read more

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Not far from the city of L.A., up Hwy 2, high above the clouds is a hidden gem where all of our radio broadcasts are located. It's about a 15 mile loop from Hwy 2 turnoff. There are several great views to check out... As well as a small turnout that had a hiking trail and signage that talks about the mountains first visitors. Near the top of the road there are two options of direction.. I recommend taking both! The one to your right will take you underneath the large towers with a view overlooking the San Bernardino and LA counties that, in a clear day, can be one spectacular sight! Continue following the road and you'll run into the Mt Wilson Observatory on your right. If it's open, go check it out! There is some amazing history to be learned there. Several large telescopes you can walk up to, beautiful wooded hiking trails and the Cosmic Cafe, where you can pick up a healthy snack or a cup of hot cocoa. Continuing on you'll loop add-ons the mountain and come back to the fork in the road. This time stay to the left. You'll pass right under all the large transmitting towers. Look you... It's pretty awe inspiring! It's a short road and you'll end up back at the observatory. Pretty cool! Just be sure to have an ADVENTURE PASS!... Or you can get ticketed. A year pass is $30 ($5 more for two! Split it with a friend!) Our day passes are something like $6 and can be purchased at the ranger station at the bottom of the hill, the Cosmic Cafe (if they are opened), our at most sporting good stores. I buy mine at Big 5 every year and split with my sister. The money goes to help maintain roads and restrooms as well as Rangers along Hwy 2. There is no cell service (However there is actually a phone booth at the gate by the observatory) and the Cosmic Cafe had free WiFi. read more

I am the unabashed queen of the fuddy duddies. This review isn't about hiking or the observatory tour. This is for the lovely pavilion up top where one can just sit in the shade. My hubby & dog love nature walks and if it's do-able, I'll tag along. But the drive up was so twisty-turny that by the time we reached the top, I was pea-green. My head was spinning and my heart was palpitating. The altitude kicked my patootie. So I told him to just leave me there in the pavilion while they wandered around to Echo Rock and wherever. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=tlWnMF3BooYxXos_svyPIQ&userid=Tuq59VSdqnCmotr_910JoQ Turned out that I had a nice time while hanging out there! Also, a lovely breeze helped me feel better. There's the Cosmic Cafe serving hot and cold food. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=18ALoaLTddrItwt9KIw-6Q&userid=Tuq59VSdqnCmotr_910JoQ If I wasn't already queasy, I wouldn't have minded a bowl of chili or something. Picnic tables all around so that you could enjoy the views while eating. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ENF58u6yCnjnoxwznIyu-w&userid=Tuq59VSdqnCmotr_910JoQ Many people were making good use of the water-refilling station right next to the pavilion. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nnOYDLn-xd0bk_3iBbuKYg&userid=Tuq59VSdqnCmotr_910JoQ If you're going on the Observatory Tour, here's where you meet the guide. Tickets can be purchased at the cafe. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=r2eg_8363BfWxZTnDIEWzA&userid=Tuq59VSdqnCmotr_910JoQ He happened to be there while I was sitting around and was telling some interesting stories. Too bad we had the dog with us. This guy was so entertaining, I would have liked to join the group. He was nice enough to tell me how to log into their wi-fi. (Settings. Cosmic Cafe) There's clean restrooms a but further up the path. It's dog-friendly, but you must keep them on a leash. Bring poop bags! Our dog apparently went crazy seeing all those trees and tried to mark every one of them. So, we all had fun up there. But in different ways. The ride down was better for me. Note: Don't forget to stop by one of the ranger stations to buy your $5 (National Forest Adventure) all-day parking pass. Passes can also be bought at the cafe.and then taken back to your car's dashboard. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_VGFq4-XqdMuAhrpt4ZSWQ&userid=Tuq59VSdqnCmotr_910JoQ read more

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I've hiked this mountain 5 times and it never gets easier! It's less painful every time but it's definitely a knee buster! I normally start from Chantry Flat and go on the Upper Creek trail towards Mt. Wilson. The people who frequent this mountain are mainly very friendly. There seems to be an old Korean hiking group that frequent this mountain very often. Today I hiked it by myself to see the snow on top of Mt. Wilson. As I got nearer to the top, the more cold it got! We were above the clouds and the view was amazing. As I was eating my breakfast/lunch/snack my fingers started to freeze because I forgot my gloves. I'll post some awesome photos from my hike today. It took me 8 hours but I'm a little sore from hiking Mt. Baldy on Friday. Also the snow made it a little hard to gain good footing hiking upwards, luckily I had hiking poles for balance and anti-slippage. I would recommend this to everyone! If you can't do a 16 mile hike just go half way or there are various other trails that you can do that loops around Chantry Flat. My video blog of my trip and the snow at the top: https://youtu.be/c9XJtQenptg read more

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This hike kicks your ass. 7 miles pretty much uphill the whole way. Great scenary though. First two miles is unshaded and you're along about a 200ft cliff. The next two miles is much better, you're in the shade and there's a constant stream and some waterfalls off the side you can hear. The third leg is similar to the 2nd. The last leg to the top you're in the pine trees with some good views of smoggy pasadena to one side and the rest of the angeles forest to the other. The downside to this hike are the freakin' flies. From mile 2 through 7, they are all over you. I stopped for water and had about 30 buzzing all over, got bitten a few times (not really painful, just annoying). I even doused myself with 15% deet. Another guy on the trail had 40% deet and that didnt help either. On the way back I saw guys with full beekeeper head screens...hmm that would have been good. No mosquitos though. Best to do in the early morning, because on your way down nearing mile 13-14, its hot and no shade. One plus was a cool little waterfall on the way. That was a nice stopover to catch your breath. read more

Mt Wilson - Hiking Near Me

The views here are amazing on a clear day. I think this is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, and usually has local snow when it does snow in the winter. When our kids were little, we would bring them here and play in the snow. Also, there are huge telescopes about a quarter mile further, where you can see planetary alignment and star shows. There are special lectures, as I understand, and at night, the place is perfectly dark and away from City lights. I think the restaurant, Cosmic Cafe is only open until November 29th, so just a few more weeks of real food will be available up here. I was hoping to get a clear shot of the basin, but due to an inversion layer, I could not get a very clear shot to the ocean. I'll have to come up in the winter time I guess. read more

Mt Wilson - Broadcast and communication towers - Hiking Near Me

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Excellent place for hiking & clearing the mind. Several trails to choose from. Definitely bring a backpack equipped with water, snacks, and nun-chux (in case of a run in with the cast from Deliverance). I liked that there was low to zero mobile signal. Nature was much more enjoyable without calls/texts. So if you're that attached to your cellphone, you're in for an upsetting evening. It was a cool experience to walk through clouds at 7000 ft elevation. I almost forgot how refreshing fresh air was like. After the hike, we took the long windy drive that lead to Victorville. Parking pass was fairly priced, & the therapeutic experience was priceless. I highly recommend this place to all nature lovers. read more

Wow is all I can say! The views are majestic. It's hard to believe that mountains of this size exist just mere miles from Los Angeles. Under the radar destination it is, I recommend this to anyone. read more

Mt Wilson - Hiking Near Me

The hike to Mt Wilson started from Chantry Flat via Sturetvant Trail to the Mt Wilson summit. We returned via Mt Wilson Toll Rd to Upper Winter Creek ending at the parking lot of Chantry Flat. The roundtrip mileage is about 14 mi. This was our second hike to prepare us for Mt Whitney and it was a hike that provide me with a lot of answers about the value of timed breaks, pace and electrolyte intake. It's because of this it's my favorite trail to hike. The trail has enough difficulty and was long enough to prepare me for Whitney. At the start of the hike I had forgotten to bring my watch which was important because it reminded me when to take my hourly and 20 min breaks. My energy levels were strong at the beginning but due to the inconsistent intake of food and electrolytes I became a stumbling fool several miles before the summit. I felt terrible, I wanted to die. At the summit I rested for about 30 min but didn't feel like eating. That was a big mistake. My friends soon descended the summit and I could barely walk. I brought a walking stick which I literally clung on to with my dear life because my legs were so wobbly and weak. After several miles of my legs cramping up, it was pure torture, I came upon some of my friends waiting for me. I rested 10 min and in the mean time I ate my M&M's and drank my electrolytes. What a difference this made and soon realized what my problems were. After this hike, I purchased a Camelbak backpack with a 3 liter bladder and I made sure my trail snacks were close at hand so I could eat and drink without too much effort. All the subsequent hikes after this became much easier. Without this hike I may have never resolved my problems, before the Whitney hike. The Sturetvamt Trail and Upper Winter Creek Trail are very scenic and heavily forestrd, you're always in the shade. The temp in Los Angeles was in the 90's but the ambient temperature on the trail was very comfortable. The only time you're in the sun is several miles prior to the summit which are the switchbacks (these are equivalent in difficulty to Whitney) and on Wilson Toll Rd. As I write this, this area may have been involved with the "Station Fire", the largest fire to occur in LA. I hope this particular area is OK. I know it will probably take many years for the crews and volunteers to remediate this area for recreational use. read more

When I visited from Chicago my sister and her husband drove me to the summit. We drove at night in the dark. There were signs advising tires be chained. There were hairpin turns. It was icy. I got carsick. I saw LA at night, the blacked out spot that is Griffith Park, the black Pacific Ocean. My sister and her husband are rugged folks. They have hiked the 16 mile route and I think it made them stronger. read more

Mt Wilson - LA from mt wilson - Hiking Near Me

I'm not too proud to say it - this hike kicked my ass. My friends and I are hiking half dome in June, so we are getting our hike on every weekend before that so that we can, you know, make it up half dome. Also it's just fun to hike! We followed the trail posted on the modern hiker (which is linked in a review below). The first two miles of the hike are pretty easy - and beautiful! There are a lot of people on that part of the trail - it's not until you get to the sign for Mt. Wilson and start that part of the trek that people become more and more sparse. And the trail becomes ridiculously steep. But at least the scenery helps ease the ache in your legs and feet. I completely forgot to pack lunch (except for one cliff bar) so I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Observatory had food! I inhaled half of a turkey sandwich like it was my job! The hike down was where I realized just how steep the trail was. Hike this if you want an intense full day workout . Don't forget to pack bug spray!! read more

Wonderful hike. If you're hiking on a weekend, it's important to get there before 7am. The parking lot gets packed rather quickly unless you don't mind parking your car near/next to car sized boulders on the shoulder of a 2 lane highway then be my guest. You'll find a lot of people hiking towards the falls or by the stream the first 1.5 miles into the hike then they slowly start to disappear the closer you get the those cabins reminiscent of "Friday the 13th" and "Swamp Thing". Anywho, I digress. The hike is about 7 miles from Chantry Flats and it's a fairly easy trek until the last 1.75 miles to the summit. It's an incline but if you're in good shape...it shouldn't be too bad. You can take the same way down (which we did) back to our car so total mileage is 14 miles. If you're training for Whitney I can recommend this as a good start then you can work your way up Mt. Baldy, San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. WORD OF CAUTION: we hiked this trail this past weekend and early this year so if you plan on hiking DURING THE SUMMER be mindful that on the last 2 miles to the summit and back down you will encounter SWARMS OF FLIES. They can bite and they do. They'll accompany you and possibly whisper sweet nothings in your ear. Bring a hat or netted hat that covers your ears. This is one of the main reason why I don't really like low elevation and muggy/summer weather because of these uncomfortable little things. If you want more warning, read my review on Zuma Canyon Trail. Anyway, had to do it before Whitney part deux this July. So Happy Trails and don't let the bugs bite! read more

We hiked up to the peak via the Upper Winter Creek Trail. This trail is not for amateurs and sissies! Its a 7-mile hike to the top(7 1/2 according to the ranger). It's probably best to hike on this trail during Fall season, since there is not much shade on this trail. The first 4 1/2 miles along the San Olene Fire Road should be pretty easy. It is definitely the heat that will slow you down. The remaining 2 1/2 miles will start once you reach the memorial bench. At this point, it's a good idea to shower yourself with a lot of bug spray! The bugs on this trail are a pain in the butt! I called those bugs "consistent little devils"-- that should give you a little idea about those little pests! A great view of Los Angeles and the surrounding cities can still be enjoyed while switchbacking to the peak. Once you reach the summit, you will be welcomed by a dozen of tall antennas, and the famous Cosmic Cafe. The Cafe is open from 10AM-4PM during the weekends; although it was open on a Monday(Labor Day 2011) when we went. TIPS: - Bring snacks and a lot of water(at least 3liters each person)! You will definitely need to hydrate yourself! - Bring Trekking Poles; they can be very useful when you're heading downhill. - Don't get locked inside the gates of Chantry Flats Road. Leave the parking lot before 8PM. If this happens, you will have to call the Sierra Madre Police Department to have the gates opened. - Pack your own trash! It's the least we can do to help preserve the wilderness that we enjoy. If you wanna enjoy nature throughout your lifetime, do your part in keeping it clean. - Take your time and enjoy! It is very seldom that we breathe fresh air, and enjoy great, breathtaking views. read more

If you're looking to train for Whitney, do Mt. Baldy Ski Hut Trail 2 times in one day and you're good, if you're looking for a nice day hike and some nice scenery, (I'm not just talking about the view), then Mt Wilson is a good one. My favorite part about this hike is that when you get to the top, you can see all the people who drove up the road munching on gut busters while you fill up your bottle and catch a quick view (unless its cloudy) before your head back down. read more

I love taking Angeles Crest Highway, Mt Wilson is basically the cherry on top! Amazing view at the top whether overcast and cloudy, daytime or at night to see the city light. Be cautious though, the road up is narrow and may have large fallen rocks. read more

Mt Wilson - Hiking Near Me

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Got a late start after staying up celebrating after the Niners whooping the Packers- so we got began at about 1pm with the intention to only get to Orchard Camp. I am an avid hiker, trail runner and consider myself in good shape. This hike though was pretty challenging, going up about 2000 feet in just three miles which is about half what up to the Summit. Great place to train or just get away as there were not too many people on the trail. Got back down around 5pm. Planning on heading back up there and reach the summit sometime soon. I highly recommend this trail as it offers a nice views and solace from the world and is easy to get to. (Entrance off the 210 in Sierra Madre, plenty of public parking.) read more

I don't get what's with the 4 star reviews for such a beautiful place as this.. I'm a newbie hiker, so maybe I just haven't seen enough of what nature has in store, but I thought this hike was amazing. With that being said, I still got my ass handed to me by a mountain. I realized that there are a million ways of getting to the top, but the way I got there was via Chantry Flats and I took the Sturtevant Trail up. I'm not sure if it became a different trail before I got all the way up, but I followed it and got to where I needed to. I was somewhat unprepared to deal with the entry and parking situation, so I'm hoping maybe I can shed some light on that.. The road to Chantry Flats opens at 6am. I repeat, THE ROAD TO CHANTRY FLATS OPENS AT 6AM. I got there at 5:30 hoping to start a little before 6, and ended up waiting in a line of cars to get into the park. This might not have been such a bad thing seeing as how the lot seemed to fill up within 30 mins of me arriving, but just be prepared for that. Another thing, parking is $5 bucks, or you can get an adventure pass for $30. All good and straight forward, HOWEVER, the register is CASH ONLY until 7am when I guess they "officially" open the registers. So, if you're like me and never carry cash, BEWARE! You will have to wait until 7am to get your parking situation squared out. Other than that, the hike itself was great. The first few miles are easy peasy.. You walk along a cliff and then start following a little creek all the way up to the campgrounds. From there, it really gets going. The first mile and a half after the creek aren't TERRIBLE, but they aren't easy either. There are no switch backs so you're walking along a gentle incline that gets your heart and gluteus maximus going. The next 1.5 miles are made up of a series of switch backs that aren't a walk in the park, but not TOO bad.. However, the last .5- 1 mile have you questioning why you ever decided to do something like this EVER. Your saving grace might be the view and your surroundings. The trees are absolutely beautiful and block out the sun. And the views are AMAZING. You're above the smaller mountains and can see straight across LA to the peaks of Catalina Island! The top is NOT anticlimactic like so many have said.. It's full of interesting info about the observatory and the history of the place.. And they have a cafe! I had a phenomenal crunchy pb&j sandwich for lunch. All in all, it was a great hike. I made terrible time because I started cramping about 2/3 of the way up, but I'll be coming back and I'll be better prepared. I wont let it beat me again! :) read more

Great Hiking Trail. I hike about 16 miles this weekend for 8 hours. It was tough but really enjoyed.

The drive up to Mount Wilson takes a bit of time (I think it's about 20 miles up) but the view is spectacular. the first time I saw it, I fell in love with it. its a nice place to take a date and enjoy the view of Los Angeles and relax, watch out if you park on the side of the road and not in one of those designated lots on top, the park ranger up on top was pretty rude and gave my friend a ticket. read more

Okay here it is. My first review. yes. very first.. This is specifically in regards to the top of wilson itself. I hadn't been there for at least 20 years but was excited to show the kid one of my all time favorite places. wanted to be there for the sunset so parked in front of the trail head gate making sure not to block it. looked in my rear view mirror and there was the local sheriff. after a minute I got out and asked if it is ok to park here. he said no so I moved the car into one of the designated parking spots. he yells to and says again don't park there I am going to give you a ticket. meanwhile his partner is tagging all the hikers cars as fast as possible. supposedly the antenna guys complain so they literally write their own version of the law. these are the same fatass. worthless excuses for cops that will pass you right up when you are stranded on the side of the road. ok didn't want to be too wordy or snarky. maybe the next one. anywho. don't give them the pleasure. watch where you park. read more