I was going to make Mt. Wilson Trail the next group hike. Very glad I did not because I forgot how STEEP it is. This is the picture I took of the map at the trail's start.
It is a pretty interesting trail, though, so let's hear the story.
Firstly, this trail was created by Gabrielino Indians (originally called Tongva Indians) hundreds, maybe thousands of years ago.
A fellow named Wilson was looking for lumber, and developed and expanded this trail in his quest for it. This Wilson was actually the second mayor of Los Angeles, which at the time had about 1500 people.
Halfway up he built a "halfway" house which was a sort of rest stop. At this spot was a very old oak tree. It's still there, and is now 500 years old. I think this may be it:
When the hiking craze (circa 1900) began, this became a resort that people hiked to, complete with tennis courts, a restaurant.... The stop was then known as Old Orchard Camp, because a number of fruit trees were planted there.
Note this is from an old book. The dance pavilion definitely does not "still exist today." In fact the picture above this (that I took) shows the rock foundations, which are all that remains. The campground fell out of favor in the second World War once Angeles Crest was built and it was easier to just drive up the mountain. I think the 500 year old oak is visible on the right, I am not sure.
But getting back to 1900, around this time, a race began, the second oldest trail race in the country. (The oldest is Dipsea in Marin.) This race follows the insanely steep trail up to this halfway point, which is 3.5 miles up. You then have to touch the 500 year old oak, then run back down.
Even hiking this trail, you feel you will slip on the sandy surface. I cannot imagine running down it.
However, people were even running up and down it the day I visited.
The race is still held today. Here are a couple pictures:
Of course they hold it in May so it will be hot on the shadeless trail!
Here are some people further up the trail. This was just after the big fire a few years back.
These days the trail chaparral has grown back, and much was never touched by the fire. There is often great foliage along the trail, and in the springtime, waterfalls. This trip I saw some foliage, but it was a little early.
If you're hiking it for the first time, just getting to this spot, First Water, is hard. This is 1.5 miles up. It's called First Water because it's the first spot where you'll cross the stream.
If you keep hiking the trail, you get all the way to Mt. Wilson, where there is often snow. You have to devote the entire day, and be prepared to shift from 70 degree weather to 40 or 50 degree weather. I've never done this but will someday.
When you finish, you can get some ravioli and chicken at Lizzie's Trail Inn at the base of the trail. That is, if you have a time machine. It's no longer a restaurant, but a museum.
The small town feel of Sierra Madre is evident with these avocados being sold on the honor system.
To finish off, here are the winners of the first trail race in 1908.
