Hike Log

8 of 18 Mount Wilson

Trailhead:

Red Box / Gabrieleno Trail (PCT)

Type of Hike:

Day hike

Trail Conditions:

Trail difficult/impossible to navigate

ROAD:

Road suitable for all vehicles

Bugs:

No bugs

Snow:

Snowfields to cross – could be difficult

After completing Strawberry Peak and having a quick lunch, we stepped off from the Red Box parking lot at about 11:03. We took the Gabrielino Trail down into the canyon for about 3.5, then turned up the Kenyon-Devore Trail for about 3 miles to complete our hike of Mount Wilson. We ended up with 6.52 miles and 2286’ in total elevation gain. Most of that while ascending the Kenyon-Devore Trail to the Mount Wilson Gate (which is still locked).

I’ve hiked Mount Wilson multiple times over the past 4 plus years from multiple trailheads. From Chantry Flat, Sierra Madre, and Bailey Canyon. Some of these a few times. I’ve even started my hike from the summit, hiked down to Chantry Flat and then back up again. And, I’ve completed the hike we did today for the 4th time, today.

With that said, I DO NOT recommend anyone attempt this route until there is time for Rangers and other volunteers to come in and clear it. This hike should have taken us 3 to 3.5 hours. However, due to dozens of trees having fallen over, it took us 5 hours and 40 minutes. This hike, today, was a struggle and a challenge. We had to scramble around, over, under and through trees and brush throughout the entire hike. I’m talking at least 50 to 60 trees on the ground, across the trail, etc. We were literally running into a down tree every 1 or 2 hundred feet. Some were easy to hop over or go under. Most, however, required a lot of effort to get through. Sometimes 5 feet wide blocking the trail and sometimes up to 40 or 50 feet wide, blocking the trail.

All in all, we had a great day. Summited two peaks and worked our asses off in the process.

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