Ride Report Wilson Toll Road

AJ and I decided to climb the toll road up to Mt. Wilson (or close to it) and come back down the Mt. Wilson trail.

The temperatures at my house (Pasadena) were warmer than expected but we brought extra clothing just in case.

The climb from my driveway, through Eaton Canyon and up to the trail-head is 9.83 miles. This was one of the most grueling climbs I've done. Whenever we rode into shade I could see the steam coming out of the openings in AJ's helmet.

The upper areas of the Mt Wilson trail are not for the faint of heart. There's a lot of exposure and with all the recent fallen leaves and acorns, slowing down can be a challenge. The mid to lower areas are some of the best single-track I've ridden in the area. Tacky is an understatement. It looked like someone just finished grooming the trail 30 seconds before we rode through.

While as usual we were super courteous to any hikers we came across, (We always STOP and yield the trail), there were at least two that said we were riding a trail that was not for bikes. They suggested we turn around and go all the way back up top to read the sign that read so. Trust me we looked before we came down and no such sign exists.

That being said, I'm going to call the Forestry Service just to make sure.

Here's a few pics. I also have a video in the works. Hope you all enjoy.

Mott.

http://mottmcfly.smugmug.com/Other/Mt-Wilson/14841775_BYgPY#1107277832_UHnXK

 

That's a great route, but like you said a grueling climb. I'm not sure my knees have recovered yet. I fairly certain the route is open to bikes, let us know what the FS says.

 

Hikers

I am also always courteous to hikers, I enjoy hiking too and even though I am an avid MTBer... it's never fun getting buzzed by cyclists. Having said that, there is a certain popular 'group' that has a quite few members among them that believe they own all the trails. I have been told the same thing by members of this 'group' while riding open trails that I know very well. Once they even attempted to block me from riding the trail... I firmly exercised my rights and they yielded.
While I do not know the legalities of the Trails on Mt. Wilson, I wouldn't necessarily take the word of any random hikers too seriously.

 

i did the toll road twice, once in 1954 then again 1999. dont remember much about the 54 climb but the 99 ride was a slow climb and a fast downhill:bang:

 

Trust me, I know what you mean about the knees. I'm pretty sure it's open to bikes but I wouldn't want to give anyone info until I'm sure. In all honesty, the last mile or so of that trail is a little narrow for multiple usage. I had to throw my bike up on the side more than a few times to make sure a hiker could pass without getting to close to the edge.

 

That's quite a gap!

 

Thanks for the pictures! They're awesome.

 

Mott, nice job, dude. Trust me, it's open to bikes. I rode it today and ride relatively frequently. It's always been open to bikes. Hikers are shocked when they see you on it because they don't see many bikes on it and it's not considered an ideal mtb trail so they draw their own conclusions. I've had friendly discussions with a few in regards and I always ask them where they get their facts and that's when the conversation is usually over. It's what they assume or have been told by fellow hikers. Like you mentioned, we continue to do our part by yielding to everyone on the trail and we're always very courteous. That being said, you can't please everyone and you're always going to have your critics. Life goes on...

 

Well said Joe. As usual.

 

I don't know where that person got that info but Mt. Wilson trail is open to bikes. I once asked a Forrest Ranger at Chantry Flats, "What trails are closed to cyclists in the San Gabs?" After a brief pause and scratching of their chin the Ranger replied, "None that I can think of off hand other than the PCT." I'm sure that there is probably another trail but it isn't the MWT.

It was probably just a trail nazi pissed that you were enjoying the trail a different way than he was.

 

the trail is open to bikes.
Use a bell (please) on this trail. It makes a lot of the hikers happy. You will still probably get one or two on the way down who say bikes shouldn't be on the trail. I respond with "it's a multi-use trail" and move on.

 

cars, girls, job, wife, kids and moving to Indiana put a stop to me riding for a few years.

 

Here's the vid. It's sort of low res so I apologize. Trying to render something better now. It's 12 minutes long.

Hope you all enjoy

http://vimeo.com/17392968

Mott

 

Is that section around 8:35 as steep as it looks. Wow. Looks like a great ride down. Thanks for sharing.

What are you editing with?

 

Nice video!

 

I'm editing with iMovie and yes that section is that steep.

 

Not to bump this but I rendered a new (shorter) video if anyone is interested. Hopefully the resolution is a little better.

Hope you enjoy.

Mott

http://vimeo.com/17774653

 

This is my favorite trail in the San Gabes. It's not for the faint of heart though as the video shows, there is a lot of exposure. I'm without insurance at this time so I'll wait until I'm insured again and then I'll be back for one of my favorite rides. I've never seen so many hikers so far up. Lots in the lower section but I'm amazed there are that many up above.

 

We did that same route this past Sunday...great climb, sketchy descent.

 

I can't explain it either but there were quite a few. I think the cold temperatures might have been the catalyst. Just about everyone we ran into were absolutely friendly.