My daughter, Jovelle, wanted also to experience the trek to the peak of Mt Wilson by hiking its trail and she invited me, John and her friend Bryan. We started our hike from Mira Monte Street in Sierra Madre, California at 8:00 AM yesterday (Saturday). The pace of our hike was a moderate one where we had our rest halfway of the trail at the Orchard Camp. My son and I were thinking that our hike towards the mountain will be up to this point (Orchard Camp) and go back to where we started as we did not bring enough food/energy bars and GUs. We only brought provisions for water through our Camelbak Hydration Systems. However, my daughter decided and insisted to experience what it takes to reach the peak of Mt Wilson and warned her that we don’t have enough provisions for food along the way.

Jovelle, my daughter and the Bald Runner at the Orchard Camp along the Mt Wilson Trail

John, Jovelle, and Brian on our way to the peak of Mt Wilson.

Since we were already halfway, we heeded to the insistence of Jovelle and had to leave the Orchard Camp and proceeded towards the peak of the mountain. Our hike became slower as the trail was becoming steeper as we were getting nearer to the peak. The heat of the sun was also making us slower as the temperature reached to the mid 90s. The thicker vegetation and taller trees near the peak gave us the needed shade in some portions of the trail. It was good that my son and I had the experience of going up to the mountain last Monday and we were able to trace the trail that goes directly to the trailhead without going through the winding toll road. We were able to save at least 20-30 minutes of walking by taking this “shortcut” trail. We reached the peak of the mountain through the trailhead of the Mt Wilson Trail in 3:35:33 hours, covering a total distance of 10.94 kms.

We had to replenish our water supply and take more time to rest at the Covered Vista Building where we occupied some of the park tables/bench. I think I was able to take a nap for almost 10-15 minutes. After resting for about 30-40 minutes, we prepared for our downhill hike to Sierra Madre.

We did not jog or run going downhill but we had to hike at a faster pace. We rested for another 15 minutes at the Orchard Camp, halfway of the trail and resumed our brisk walk without any rest/break until we reach the Mira Monte Street. It took us 2:45:35 hours to hike from the peak of the mountain to our parked cars. My GF 305 registered a total ascent of 2,382 meters and even if we were already going down from the mountain, it also registered a total ascent of 578 meters.

Overall, the hiking activity plus the stops & rests took us eight (8) hours to bond together and talk to one another on anything that interest each one of us. The hiking for me and my son, John was just a “walk along the park” while my daughter Jovelle and her friend Brian was an experience where they complained of sore legs, butts and painful feet after the hike.

We concluded our “hiking workout” with a sumptous late lunch o/a 4:30 PM at El Cholo (Mexican) Restaurant in Pasadena.

I counted 87 other hikers whom we met along the trail (going up and down). And for the first time, I saw a rattlesnake (as big as my big toe) two feet away from me along the rocky trail. John also pointed to me some poison ivy plants along the sides of the trail. I also saw a number of ultra trail runners whom I believe to be practicing for next week’s Angeles Crest 100-Mile Endurance Run.