Mt. Wilson Trail Run

Poison Oak

This week, we are going to the top of Mt. Wilson via the Mt. Wilson Trail (Sierra Madre). We'll be meeting at 6:15am in front of the park located on Mira Monte Ave. The address is: 168 E. Mira Monte Avenue, Sierra Madre. We start the run at 6:30am. It's going to get hot on our way down, that's why the early morning start time.

Directions:

From the 210 Freeway Arcadia, exit Santa Anita Avenue and go North. Turn left (West) on Grand View. From Grand View turn right (North) on Mountain Trail Ave. Drive up a couple blocks to where the road ends but turns left as Mira Monte Ave. Turn left here. Immediately on your right is Mount Wilson Trail Drive. Park in this area on the street, either on the lower end of Mount Wilson Trail Drive or on Mira Monte.

Run specifics:

14 miles roundtrip with approximately 4,745 feet of elevation gain. It's an out and back trek, so we'll be getting the same amount on the descent. Although the entire trail is runnable, I don't expect everyone to run every inch (some sections are gnarly climbs). We'll be exposed to the sun for the first 1.5 miles and again at the top of the trail. Trails are mostly packed dirt with loose rocks and acorns. There is one very easy stream crossing. Some poison oak, so be careful (leaves of three, let them be). Some sections are narrow and we'll see more traffic on the trails later in the morning. We'll be running in segments so we can regroup. The regrouping areas (and their mileage) are: 1.5 miles to First Water, 1.7 miles to Orchard Camp, 1.8 miles to Mt. Wilson Junction (the bench), then 2 miles to the top of Mt. Wilson. Look at this run as hill intervals and don't be intimidated:-)

Must haves:

Bring some kind of liquid and electrolytes. I'll bring some extra GUs for people who may need them. Wear sunscreen! Wear a hat if you like or sunglasses - it can get really bright up top. Make sure your shoes have good treads. Bring a snack if you want. We'll be taking a rest at Orchard Camp 3 miles into the hike and at the top. Bring cash if you want to get something from the Cosmic Cafe at the top. I'm bringing a camera, but bring one if you like to take outstretched arm shots of yourself, hipster:-) The pictures from the top are amazing.