We're both veteran Mt. Wilson hikers, but this is only the second time up the old Mt. Wilson Trail. We always took the Sturtevant loop starting from Chantry Flats, which we find much more enjoyable, but any way we can hike up to the Cosmic Cafe, we'll take!

We hit the trailhead at 6am to beat the heat. The initial climb up was gorgeous in the early light before the sun came around. Trail is well maintained. About half way up all the way to the end the bugs are a pretty serious annoyance — almost to the point where we wished we had head nets. Quite a few folks out today, as usual for Mt. Wilson. After the steep climb to the summit, we took a load off at the Cosmic Cafe, where we had a surprise waiting… apple pie a la mode!

The way down was fairly straightforward, and as we reached the last third we started to feel the 100 degree Sierra Madre heat. Overall a very tiring, but successful day.