AM Blaze: Wilson Warm-Up! (Fast-Paced Conditioning Hike)

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Hello Blazer!

We're breaking format...this is a special AM meeting of the PM Blazers and, as always, a fast-paced conditioning hike for intermediate-level hikers and above.

The PM Blazers are a fun but experienced and very fit hiking group...please carefully read the write-up below before signing up!

This hike will go to Mount Wilson & back on the Mount Wilson Trail, so 14 miles round trip and just under 5000 feet of gain. It's ideal for PM Blazers and others training for advanced level hikes, like the revered and reviled Baldy For Brunch hike I lead in the spring.

Please also note that the guest feature is not activated for this meetup. On all my hikes, I expect everyone coming to have signed up themselves, read the write-up, and arrive informed and prepared.

Hope to see you on the trails,

Mark

Want some fairly intensive conditioning or gearing up for advanced-level hikes?

If you are fit and an intermediate-level hiker or backpacker, join us for this hike to Mount Wilson via the Mount Wilson Trail, a great and scenic Los Angeles area conditioning route.

Here is info on our scheduled hike…hope to see you there!

Mount Wilson Via The Wilson Trail

Hike Type: Conditioning & skill development

Level: Intermediate

Route Type: Up & back

Distance: 14 miles/23 kilometers

Elevation gain: 4800 feet/1450 meters

Terrain: Mostly single-file footpath

Dogs allowed: Yes (if fit & friendly)

Route summary:

This hike will take us roughly fourteen miles/twenty-three kilometers roundtrip from the Mount Wilson Trail traihead (1000 feet/300 meters) to the summit of Mount Wilson (5650 feet/1725 meters) and back. Overall, the trail offers a steady intermediate-level ascent, with just a few steep, rocky, and exposed areas.

We will meet at the corner of Mount Wilson Trail and East Mira Monte Avenue in Sierra Madre. We begin our ascent by heading north by northeast on the Mount Wilson Trail, quickly leaving the suburban setting of the trailhead behind us and ascending steadily into Sierra Madre Canyon.

This early part of the route can be sunny and warm, but eventually gives way to cooler conditions as we ascend. After about two miles, we reach Lost Canyon and the trail becomes more shaded and also begins to turn more northerly for the remainder of our ascent.

While it is desirable to keep visual contact between members of the group, this is not always possible due to differing paces and levels of conditioning on this reasonably long and fairly challenging route.

At the marked halfway point (3.5 miles) in our ascent, we reach Orchard Camp, which is a good rest stop if you need a break. From there, we continue and complete what is (and feels like) the steepest part of our ascent, reaching the bench at Manzanita Ridge and a less steep grade at about the five mile mark.

At Manzanita Ridge, we turn left and continue north on the Wilson Trail, paralleling the so-called Toll Road beginning just before mile six and then reaching Mount Wilson at mile seven. In this section, please pay special attention at two points: 1) the right turn onto the fire road at about mile six (where you should look back to remember this turn on the descent), 2) the slight right turn from the fire road back and up to single-track trail at about mile 6.5 (there is an arrow made of stones but no sign – if you are on the fire road and have a large number of antennae on your right, you have missed this turn).

We will meet on the Mount Wilson summit at the Pavilion, which is located on the hill immediately north of the parking lot where the Mount Wilson Tail ends (the concession stand is open in the Pavilion from April 1 to November 30).

After a lunch break, we will return by the same route, sweeping for anyone who has not summited in 3 to 3.5 hours. Our goal for the descent is 2 to 2.5 hours, making for a total elapsed time of 5 to 6 hours including breaks.

Definitely bring food for a light lunch at the summit!

Qualifications:

To promote a high completion rate and safety for everyone on this fairly challenging route, please consider the following qualifications summary before deciding to join us:

Intermediate level or above hiker, backpacker, or trail runner Intermediate level of fitness (aerobic exercise 3+ times/week & healthy body weight) Doctor’s ok for strenuous hikes if recent health issues 10+ miles/16+ kilometers on a single hike in the last two weeks 2500+ feet/750+ meters elevation gain on a single hike in the last month Will wear and bring required gear (see essentials below)

Essentials:

Please wear – brush-resistant pants or shorts, one or more wicking shirts appropriate to the trailhead and summit temperatures, comfortable hiking shoes or light boots, your favorite undergarments and accessories, and a light backpack.

Please bring – at least three liters of water, snacks and a summit meal, a charged cell phone, identification, a headlamp, a signal whistle, a small first-aid kit, bug repellent and sunscreen, sun glasses, a fleece jacket, hat and gloves, a wind/waterproof shell, and any medications or anything else you might need on the trail. Trekking poles and slip-on spikes are recommended if there is snow on the route.

Parking:

Free on-street parking is available on East Mira Monte Road. To lower our carbon footprint, car-pooling is encouraged.

Please do not leave anything of value in your car, at this or any other trailhead

Directions:

From the north/south/east/west – Proceed to the 210 and Baldwin (exit 31). Turn north on Baldwin for about a quarter mile. Take a left on West Foothill and then a quick right back on Baldwin. Continue north for about a mile and then turn right on East Mira Monte. The trailhead will be on your left in about three hundred yards.

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:

The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Weekday Trailblazers Meetup event, you are releasing the Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

All participants must be 18 or older, or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!