Andy
Member
I'm aware there are plenty of other Mt. Wilson toll road ride reports, so if you're bored of them... (or are a local)
So I mentioned I was going to be in the area...
Arrived just after 7am, surprised by how many cars (weren't) there - easily parked at the intersection of Pinecrest Dr and Bowring Dr, plenty close enough to the trailhead. According to the car it was 68F outside while weather.com said it was 70F. Nice.
At the trail head by 7:15 after a breakfast of a cinnamon & raisin bagel and a chewy peanut bar. I can't eat before 9am, preferably 10am, so this might present a challenge.
Heading down from the trailhead over the bridge before the climb, I ran into (metaphorically) at least 25 trail runners... seeing the start of the climb, I decided to hang back, after all, they'd probably be passing me a minute or so later. I was soon left in their dust as I began the climb to Henninger Flats... Congratulating myself on my good decision, I was soon huffing and puffing my way up the side of Mt Wilson. Not many people out - mostly running types, some of whom were on their way down. Just a few other hikers/walkers. About 2/3rds of the way to Henninger Flats, I caught up with the only other rider I'd seen at that point, a local(ish) guy, Tom, and on the way to the Flats we talked about a wide range of subjects from mountain biking to the I.R.A.
Tom was only going as far as the Flats campground, "The worst is over" he says...
I have to say, I think he was telling porkies... I was expecting at least some leveling out. It doesn't. Its just one long continuous climb. Constantly. Never ending. Grinding all the way to the freakin' top
If I'd been smart/thought about it, I would've filled my camelbak at the campground... Still it wasn't "hot", it was actually very nice (temperature wise), and once you get about Henninger Flats, the next 1/3 (ish) of the journey has some nice cover. By this time, I'm seeing hardly anyone, literally a handful on this part of the ride.
It was a bit weird, as I keep feeling a little deja-vu-y, parts of it look suspiciously like Maple Springs. Either that or I was hallucinating from lack of sustenance and the altitude. Possibly the former.
Eventually, the cover begins to thin out, and it started to get warm. I carry on, but stopping to rest, I mean take pictures, more frequently. I'm almost out of water, and, more importantly, one of my little toes is hurting (awww...) I sliced it open yesterday in the garage and ripped a load of skin off, and despite covering it well, the bandaid has worked itself loose and my toe is now getting irritating/irritated.
I didn't make it completely to the top - but that was never my goal anyway. This was supposed to be a weekend "fun" ride. If you like long sustained climbs (which I don't), then yeah it was fun. Actually, it was. I had a good time. Usually on a ride like this, I spend most of my time worrying about the parking/car (and I did [a little]), and then swearing I'll never do another ride like this again. But when I get back to the car, I find myself thinking that next time, I'll make it exactly to the top. If there is a next time...
A few pics -
In the distance Downtown LA
Another view
obligatory bike pic...
I think I counted 2 "large" rocks/boulders, both at the side(s) of the trail, so it looks like whatever has been cleared in the intervening time...
...did see this though
at about 5.5 - 6 miles up (this is looking back down), thats the worst I saw, and easily passed, or as you can see, ridden over...
So I mentioned I was going to be in the area...
Arrived just after 7am, surprised by how many cars (weren't) there - easily parked at the intersection of Pinecrest Dr and Bowring Dr, plenty close enough to the trailhead. According to the car it was 68F outside while weather.com said it was 70F. Nice.
At the trail head by 7:15 after a breakfast of a cinnamon & raisin bagel and a chewy peanut bar. I can't eat before 9am, preferably 10am, so this might present a challenge.
Heading down from the trailhead over the bridge before the climb, I ran into (metaphorically) at least 25 trail runners... seeing the start of the climb, I decided to hang back, after all, they'd probably be passing me a minute or so later. I was soon left in their dust as I began the climb to Henninger Flats... Congratulating myself on my good decision, I was soon huffing and puffing my way up the side of Mt Wilson. Not many people out - mostly running types, some of whom were on their way down. Just a few other hikers/walkers. About 2/3rds of the way to Henninger Flats, I caught up with the only other rider I'd seen at that point, a local(ish) guy, Tom, and on the way to the Flats we talked about a wide range of subjects from mountain biking to the I.R.A.
Tom was only going as far as the Flats campground, "The worst is over" he says...
I have to say, I think he was telling porkies... I was expecting at least some leveling out. It doesn't. Its just one long continuous climb. Constantly. Never ending. Grinding all the way to the freakin' top
If I'd been smart/thought about it, I would've filled my camelbak at the campground... Still it wasn't "hot", it was actually very nice (temperature wise), and once you get about Henninger Flats, the next 1/3 (ish) of the journey has some nice cover. By this time, I'm seeing hardly anyone, literally a handful on this part of the ride.
It was a bit weird, as I keep feeling a little deja-vu-y, parts of it look suspiciously like Maple Springs. Either that or I was hallucinating from lack of sustenance and the altitude. Possibly the former.
Eventually, the cover begins to thin out, and it started to get warm. I carry on, but stopping to rest, I mean take pictures, more frequently. I'm almost out of water, and, more importantly, one of my little toes is hurting (awww...) I sliced it open yesterday in the garage and ripped a load of skin off, and despite covering it well, the bandaid has worked itself loose and my toe is now getting irritating/irritated.
I didn't make it completely to the top - but that was never my goal anyway. This was supposed to be a weekend "fun" ride. If you like long sustained climbs (which I don't), then yeah it was fun. Actually, it was. I had a good time. Usually on a ride like this, I spend most of my time worrying about the parking/car (and I did [a little]), and then swearing I'll never do another ride like this again. But when I get back to the car, I find myself thinking that next time, I'll make it exactly to the top. If there is a next time...
A few pics -
In the distance Downtown LA
Another view
obligatory bike pic...
I think I counted 2 "large" rocks/boulders, both at the side(s) of the trail, so it looks like whatever has been cleared in the intervening time...
...did see this though
at about 5.5 - 6 miles up (this is looking back down), thats the worst I saw, and easily passed, or as you can see, ridden over...
