RR: Mt Wilson Trail

[dhshuttlemonkey]

This was an awesome ride today and is now my favorite San Gabriel front range trail. We met up in Sierra Madre with the guys from Rydezilla.com (Adrian, Rob, Marcello & myself), loaded up the truck and headed off to Mt Wilson. Luckily Adrian's wife shuttled us up so we didn't have to drive back up. Once up at the top it was a bit cold but once we put on our gear it was fine.

The ride started up in the clouds which was very cool. The first section of trail is simi technical and the most fun. Seems like the recent rain has packed down the trail a bit but there is still some loose sections of scree/leaves on some of the steeper chutes. There are a few fallen trees blocking the trail and about 4 sections where you have to hike a bike over some rocks. Once you get past all the hike a bike sections, the trail flows with up and down rollers, twisty turns, and a few rocks gardens thrown in for about 3 miles all the way down. I brought the DH bike but this trail can be easily done on a 6" FR bike since there are a few spots where you have to climb that I ended up walking the 40+lb DH rig. There is another option that drops into Chantry Flats via the Winter Creek trail that we'll explore on another day.

Overall, I rate this trail a 10 in the fun factor and worth the trip up here for you OC guys. I took a few scenery pics but no action shots since we were having too much fun, sorry Dean.

[roadkillross]

nice i would love to shuttle wiht u guys next time

[Krunk]

Frank,
How many miles did you guy put in ? was it a pretty quik ride?

[dstepper]

Frank I have taken my rigid singlespeed down the Merrills a couple of times. Granted it is more fun with suspension but totaly doable on a rigid bike. Is this trail more tech?

How was the Poison Oak?

[Pain Freak]

Dean,
Similar in tech, but there are options on this trail. It has a better flow to it then the Merrills, and the fun factor to me is way higher. It's been a year since I rode it last and I'm itching to do it again. After the Fat Tire Festival, I'll post up a ride for it. We used to climb the toll road to do it, so I'll have to find another climbing option.

[dstepper]

I have thought of how to make it a loop...with Mt. Wilson Toll Road closed nothing works well.

Maybe: Leave a car on Baldwin Ave (Sieria Madre), one at Lake St (Altadena) and climb Lowe Toll Road to Easton Saddle. Then take the Mt. Wilson Road pavement to the top and come down.

Yes, lets do it soon!

[tkblazer]

let dooooo it

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Frank I have taken my rigid singlespeed down the Merrills a couple of times. Granted it is more fun with suspension but totaly doable on a rigid bike. Is this trail more tech?

How was the Poison Oak?

Why would you want to ride a SS up there? Leave the SS at home and ride the 5 Spot. You guys are crazy or love self inflicting pain for even thinking of making a climbing loop out of it.

Originally Posted by Krunk

Frank,
How many miles did you guy put in ? was it a pretty quik ride?

It was a short but fun 8 1/2 miles.

[Pain Freak]

I don't think Dean is saying he's going to bring the ss, just that it is possible to ride the Merrills with one (although I wouldn't do it), the Wilson Trail would not be fun with a rigid or hardtail bike.

[dstepper]

I do not ride a rigid SS because it causes me pain, because it doesn't. I like to be able to feel at one with the trail and do not look at it as a negative experience. Most people that give me a bad time have not spent much time on a rigid bike. The next bike I build will also be fully rigid.

The money I have spent over the past 4 years in upkeep on my 5-Spot would buy my next bike. Expences on the Singlespeed last two years: replace chain and new tires....simple.

Don't get me wrong I love my 5-Spot, it is just unnecessary the majority of the time.

I have rode bottom to top of Mt. Wilson a couple of times. The route I suggested above is actually fairly easy. Once you are past Lower Merrill or if you choose the pavement section out of Mallard in is a easy to moderate climb.

[Nagaredama]

Which trails did you guys take?

I assume you did Stuertvant aka Darkside as opposed to taking the front side. The Merrils to Mt. Lowe down Sunset to Millard.

[dstepper]

No he rode Mt. Wilson Trail. From the top you start down Mt. Wilson Toll Road. A couple of miles down to turn left on Winter Creek Trail and half mile later right onto Mt. Wilson Trail. Dumps you out on Miramonte St. in Sierra Madre.

Mt. Wilson Trail was one of the first trails built by white settlers on Mt. Wilson. A good book to learn about the San Gabriels is "Trails of the Angeles" by John W. Robinson.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by dstepper

No he rode Mt. Wilson Trail. From the top you start down Mt. Wilson Toll Road. A couple of miles down to turn left on Winter Creek Trail and half mile later right onto Mt. Wilson Trail. Dumps you out on Miramonte St. in Sierra Madre.

Mt. Wilson Trail was one of the first trails built by white settlers on Mt. Wilson. A good book to learn about the San Gabriels is "Trails of the Angeles" by John W. Robinson.

ohh my god!!! now u want people to read and shit? muhhahhahahahahaaaaaa ha!

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Thanks for the book info Dean. I've always been curious about the trails and ruins up there. One slight correction on your description. The trail starts on the Mt Wilson trail for about a mile or two then hooks up with the toll road for about 1/2 mile. The rest sounds accurate.

[Sharky]

I've got the '84 version so may be a bit outdated but a really great informative book with a full size map included. I'll be glad to loan it to ya Frank....after you pick up my tubes !!! Still have 2 flats on my bike from freakin' Bonelli... but love the book Dean.

[dstepper]

There is alot of History about Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson if you Google it. Here is a good start.

http://tchester.org/sgm/places/mt_wilson.html

http://www.mtlowe.net/brief_history.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lowe_Railway

[quote=SHARKY;36740]I've got the '84 version so may be a bit outdated but a really great informative book with a full size map included. quote]


Seventh edition 1998, I have had mine for a couple of years.

I really like riding up Mt. Lowe Fireroad. Once you get to Cape of Good Hope you follow the old railroad bed almost to Inspiration Point. I go way out of my way to find things of historical interest to me....and Mt. Lowe fits that bill.

Picture is of Granite Gate, in the 1890's it took them 8 months of dynamiting and mucking to get a narrow gage railroad line threw there.

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by dstepper

There is alot of History about Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson if you Google it. Here is a good start.

http://tchester.org/sgm/places/mt_wilson.html

http://www.mtlowe.net/brief_history.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lowe_Railway


Seventh edition 1998, I have had mine for a couple of years.

I really like riding up Mt. Lowe Fireroad. Once you get to Cape of Good Hope you follow the old railroad bed almost to Inspiration Point. I go way out of my way to find things of historical interest to me....and Mt. Lowe fits that bill.

Picture is of Granite Gate, in the 1890's it took them 8 months of dynamiting and mucking to get a narrow gage railroad line threw there.

dood u really need to get a girl or something!!

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by SHARKY

I've got the '84 version so may be a bit outdated but a really great informative book with a full size map included. I'll be glad to loan it to ya Frank....after you pick up my tubes !!! Still have 2 flats on my bike from freakin' Bonelli... but love the book Dean.

Sharky, How many times have I told you that you need to find a really hot guy to change those flats for you... Dang woman, when are ya gonna learn?

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by B.O.B

Sharky, How many times have I told you that you need to find a really hot guy to change those flats for you... Dang woman, when are ya gonna learn?

Shannon who changes your flats?

I am not talking to Jose, he is mean.

[Sharky]

Originally Posted by B.O.B

Sharky, How many times have I told you that you need to find a really hot guy to change those flats for you... Dang woman, when are ya gonna learn?

Haha...but I AM seeing a hot bike mechanic. You'd think I'd get FREE repairs...NOT . ( he won't see this) AND Dean don't listen to Jose cause all the girls on here are in love with you ya trail guru!! How are the flat changin skills ??

PS Rode Bonelli Friday after fixing flats...this morning Sat. FRONT flat!! Damn thorns . I'm buying tubes in bulk now .