Rim Trail At Mount Wilson - #RimTrailAtMountWilson

Socal - Los Angeles County - Altadena NickNames: #RimTrailAtMountWilson

Exit Altadena Drive from the 210 freeway, and head towards the mountains. Turn right on Crescent Dr. and turn right on Pinecrest Dr to the trail head for Mount Wilson Toll road marked by a gate. If you notice the parking signs state 2 hour parking during the weekdays and no parking at all during the weekends. As a courtesy to the residents in this neighborhood, I would highly suggest that you park along Alatadena Dr. near a trail head to Eaton Canyon Park. This trail head for hikers only is .25 mile south of Crescent Dr. Note: The trail which originates from Altadena Drive is banned to bicycles, as well as Eaton Canyon Park. Winter time riding, I suggest you check out the live camera pictures at http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~obs/towercam.htm to check for snow. Summer time riding, please bring bug repellant and lots of food. Thomas Guide page 536 D5

17 Review(s)Login

• Trail UpdateRim Trail To Newcomb Pass-June 17, 2006: The Rim Trail from the top of Mt. Wilson is in deplorable shape at the top coming off the ridge. In fact the conditons are quite dangerous. The trail has collapsed in numerous places with a straight drop of maybe 50-60 feet down a rock face. One mistep and you are toast. But below the ridge the trail mellows out a bit as it heads towards the pass. Tons of poison oak and vicious biting deerflies that make it all but impossible to stop for more than a minute or two at this time of year. Personally I would not recommend riding this trail unless it is repaired.
  Bonniebiker a Cross-Country Rider

  Posted:06/19/2006

• Trail UpdateRiding?-Anybody been riding the toll road? Any way to circumvent the big slide? (from Eaton Canyon, not Idlehour...)

  Posted:04/11/2005

• Trail UpdateHey smartguy--put those updates under Chantry Flats, where they belong.
  Surly a 28 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a '02 Giant AC from Pasadena

  Posted:11/24/2003

• Trail UpdateStutervant-What fun trail to ride and avoid the congestion of Mt. Lowe. The conditions were great, hardly any traffic but a few bikers. Its got some fun rock gardens to roll through and nice tight ST. Oh my gosh I've kinda been chillin on the amount of riding I've been doing cuz of other obligations but damn that last paved road climb was a bizzatch!!! Busted my nuts big time but well worth it - I love rides with a lil bit of everything. DH, ST, Rock Gardens, Jumps, and climbs. Get out and ride this trail before it snows!
  Diablito a 26 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Stinky 4:20 from THC Heights

  Posted:11/24/2003

• Trail UpdateSturtevant-The trails here are some of the best tight and technical single track I have ever ridden. You get to jump over logs and hit some wicked rock gardens as make your way down this trail. Very narrow singletrack that is a bit overgrown in some spots but very fast. You get to tackle a long paved road climb to the top and a fast Dh on the pavement to the Santa Anita exit. No hikers either!
  Singletrack=80% Paved Path=20%
  OlbaiD a Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Stinky 4:20 from THC Heights

  Posted:03/10/2003

• Trail UpdateCHIPMONKS!-It's all about those damn chipmonks.
  harvesting their nuts, pop'n wheelies, doing burnouts
  in the sandy area.
  all wildlife should be locked up for using the forest at will.
  lets all try to ride here this winter when the snow run-off does more damage than 2 summers worth of mtb'ers.
  
  Tony a 34 year old riding a murry easy rider-pro

  Posted:09/17/2002

• Trail UpdateWhat's With This Goofball?-Dude HOW DO YOU KNOW it was Mtb'rs that ruined a trail that you ILLEGALLY Hiked even though the Forest Service shut it down!!!...Hmmmm you write just as arrogantly as you hike!...Go post a hike update & leave those of us whom OBEY the rules alone! Funny how YOU SLAM the Forest Sevice when they are only looking out for your best interest (you probably would sue us all if you fell off a trail you were not even supposed to be on!!!...but then you figured you knew better than the Forest Service & hiked it anyway!...You sound about 14 are you sure your 26????..Besides I thought a MAN of your caliber did not whine about little inconvienences like not having it your way all the time! Dude GROW UP..MTB'rs did not ruin your little area! Maybe it was EQUESTRIANS or Midgets....were you there to see the midgets?? I saw em, at least 200 of em hiking all at once!!!...........Thats about how your observation sounds! Jeeesh...Go Hike a trail!

  Posted:09/01/2002

• Trail UpdateWhat's With This Goofball?-Dude HOW DO YOU KNOW it was Mtb'rs that ruined a trail that you ILLEGALLY Hiked even though the Forest Service shut it down!!!...Hmmmm you write just as arrogantly as you hike!...Go post a hike update & leave those of us whom OBEY the rules alone! Funny how YOU SLAM the Forest Sevice when they are only looking out for your best interest (you probably would sue us all if you fell off a trail you were not even supposed to be on!!!...but then you figured you knew better than the Forest Service & hiked it anyway!...You sound about 14 are you sure your 26????..Besides I thought a MAN of your caliber did not whine about little inconvienences like not having it your way all the time! Dude GROW UP..MTB'rs did not ruin your little area! Maybe it was EQUESTRIANS or Midgets....were you there to see the midgets?? I saw em, at least 200 of em hiking all at once!!!...........Thats about how your observation sounds! Jeeesh...Go Hike a trail!

  Posted:09/01/2002

• Trail UpdateWhat's With This Goofball?-Dude HOW DO YOU KNOW it was Mtb'rs that ruined a trail that you ILLEGALLY Hiked even though the Forest Service shut it down!!!...Hmmmm you write just as arrogantly as you hike!...Go post a hike update & leave those of us whom OBEY the rules alone! Funny how YOU SLAM the Forest Sevice when they are only looking out for your best interest (you probably would sue us all if you fell off a trail you were not even supposed to be on!!!...but then you figured you knew better than the Forest Service & hiked it anyway!...You sound about 14 are you sure your 26????..Besides I thought a MAN of your caliber did not whine about little inconvienences like not having it your way all the time! Dude GROW UP..MTB'rs did not ruin your little area! Maybe it was EQUESTRIANS or Midgets....were you there to see the midgets?? I saw em, at least 200 of em hiking all at once!!!...........Thats about how your observation sounds! Jeeesh...Go Hike a trail!

  Posted:09/01/2002

• Trail UpdateYou Darn MBers! You Ruined It!-I HIKED the Devore Canyon Trail to West Fork, then up Newcomb pass to the Rim Trail.

  I almost had to turn around after a long hike up Newcomb because the sign said "closed". (Shame on the FS for not making that info obvious until you're out 9 miles, halfway up a 2800 ft ascent....)

  Needless to say I hiked it anyway, though extra careful. The trail in most parts is in decent shape -- but there are 3 cliffside sections that have been completely obliterated. Not to mention a big track through the sandy parts.

  Thanks for destroying a great trail guys.
  Ride distance: 12 miles Elevation change: 2800
  Angry Hiker a 26 year old from Los Angeles, CA

  Posted:09/01/2002

• Trail UpdateIMBA RULES!-PLEASE! Learn the IMBA rules; obey all posted signs! If the trail is closed DONT use it. I don't care if you did just climb the Toll Road. Accomplishments of any sort do not give one the right to abuse our priveleges as Mt bikers. There are a number of other options you can pursue from the top of Mt Wilson. Sturtevant is a great single track, and it is open. Drop back down the toll road and pick up the Mt Wilson Trail. Ever hear of Wintercreek?

  I have been quite eager to ride the Rim Trail myself, but simple prudence informs us that we should not if the sign says closed. By continuing to degrade a trail that is already closed, all that is happening is that eventually we will lose ALL access to the great trails off Mt. Wison. If you have any doubt that what I am saying is true, check out the postings for San Diego County's Anderson Truck Trail.

  I do not wish to lose my priveleges as a rider, or any future chance of riding the Rim Trail, simply because a few select individuals feel they have "Earned" something by doing what dozens of others do every week.

  By the way, for another fun climb, check out Monrovia canyon. Ride all the way up to White Saddle, catch the Rincon road over to Newcomb's pass and hop on the Gab Trail down to Chantry. OR do what I did this morning, continue on the road all the way to RedBox. (Another good climb out of the canyon up to RedBox) Turn left on Mt. Wilson Rd and climb to the summit - paved climbing, but still climbing. Then choose a route down; I chose to descend the toll road, I had a car waiting there.

  The nice thing about Monrovia Canyon... a lot more shade in the beginning. Less people too, ain't that nice?
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Paved Path=20% Truck Trail=80%
  Spiffster a 31 year old riding a Novarra from Monrovia

  Posted:07/25/2002

• Trail UpdateRim Trail/Gabralino Trail-Rode the trail on Sunday. Climbed through 4,000' of misty marine layer coming up the Toll road up to the top where Wilson, Monrovia Peak and others seemed like islands in a sea of thick clouds. I found the rim trail easily and started down. After less than a mile the trail said closed but I didn't climb Wilson for nothing. I did want to preserve what left of the trail so I hike-a-biked through the damaged portion. I would highly recommend you do the same to prevent further damage. It's also a long drop if you make a mistake. After about a quarter mile of that, its clear sailing all the way to Gabralino and down to Chantry. I didn't see a sole all the way down. Awesome trail! It's similar to Winter creek or Strawberry peak. Cliff-hanging all the way! The scenery is amazing. Have fun.
  Ride rating: Expert
  Ride distance: 31 Elevation change: 5,000
  Singletrack=30% Dirt Road=30% Paved Path=40%
  Steve Dann a 30 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a '02 Fisher Mt. Tam 29 from Torrance, CA

  Posted:05/20/2002

• Trail UpdateRim Trail At Mount Wilson-I think the trail is closed right now, but if it's not, it should be. There are several sections in the first mile of two that are way too narrow to really ride (from 6 to 9 inches wide in a lot of places). I climbed the toll road and then went down Rim Trail to Newcombs saddle, then turned right toward Chantry flats. From about a mile or two above the saddle all the way down to Chantry Flats, the trail was awesome. As a shuttle, the entire descent would be worth it. But after that climb I wanted some serious no-brainer fun and I didn't get it! oh, and the climb back to the car on the paved roads at the end of the ride weren't appreciated either! Next time I do that climb, I'm going down Santa Ana trail - way more fun and a lot less concentration needed!
  
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 28 miles RT Elevation change: ~4500
  Singletrack=40% Dirt Road=50% Paved Path=10%
  Cara L a 29 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Santa Cruz Superlight from Los Angeles

  Posted:11/07/2001

• Trail UpdateClosed-Temporarily-Temporarily closed due to deteriorated trail conditions. 12-00

  Bummer :(~
  Charles a OLD year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Santa Cruz Superlight on Layaway from Pasadena-Sierra Madre

  Posted:12/12/2000

• Trail UpdateRim Trail-Fun, Spectacular & Worth the extra effort! Both Mt. Harvard & Mt.Wilson Observatory / Skyline park has recently had a handful of construction on the Mountain top. Mostly Solar Arrays, buildings and Observatory equipment to supplement the 100" telescope. Christmas day featured spectacular hand-glider take offs from the end of the parking lot.

  The Rim trail is 98% rideable w/ hard pack conditions. Smooth Sailing to Chantry Flats. As of 12-27-99 a fire is ravaging the Chantry Flats / Arcadia area. As of this afternoon, it looks contained.

  I love this trail. E-mail if you have any questions at this address.
  Ride rating: Expert
  Ride distance: 31 miles Elevation change: 5,500 rt
  Singletrack=45% Dirt Road=45% Paved Path=10%
  c h a r l e s a old year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Specialized fsr xc from Pasadena, Ca

  Posted:12/28/1999

• Trail UpdateAuthor Follow Up~!-Climb the Mt.Wilson fire road to Skyline Park. First driveway, turn left and pass the museum head towards the rear of the park where the 100 inch telescope is located. At the rear of the 100 inch telescope dome, you'll notice University of Georgia has installed trailer type structures. Turn right, then turn left and notice the trail heading to the left. You should also notice a small house to your left as soon as the pavement ends.

  The trail is very vague at first but will soon become very clear. The first .25 miles is steep and narrow. I suggest you walk this section to avoid damaging the trail. You'll quickly be struck by the beauty of the ride. From 5800 feet, the view is very clear and awesome. Rock formations and pines surround you. It's only 3.5 miles to Newcombs saddle. A section of this trail has been damaged by a small rock slide. You'll need to negotiate this w/ utmost caution. The trail is very rideable all the way to Newcombs saddle.

  Newcombs Saddle is marked by two park benches and a plaque to honor a forest service volunteer who died on this spot in 1985. It is also a very well signed junction.

  Turn right on the Gabrielino trail and head to Chantry flats. Trails conditions will turn to lose rocks for a while but will return to hardpack conditions as the Rim Trail.

  Approximately 5-6 miles after departing from Mount Wilson, you will cross your first creek crossing by turning left. Going straight and uphill will take you Sturtevant Camp and or back to Mount Wilson approx 4 miles away.

  At this point you are only 4 miles away from Chantry Flats. Numerous FUN crystal clear shallow creek crossings to cross. But it isn't a hassle unlike the Arroyo Seco where they are sandy and crappy.

  Chantry Flats is marked by a last one mile climb of approximately 500 feet in elevation gain.

  Disclaimer: THE ACCESS TO THE RIM TRAIL IS OPEN WEEKENDS ONLY 8AM TO 4PM AND IS RECOMMENDED FOR ADVANCED RIDERS COMFORTABLE W/ NARROW EXPOSED TRAILS.
  Singletrack=45% Dirt Road=45% Paved Path=10%
  Charles a 31 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 98 Specialized fsr comp from Pasadena, Ca & Seattle, Wa URL: Live View From Mount Wilson Skyline Park

  Posted:01/02/1999

• Trail UpdateRim Trail Via Mt. Wilson Toll Rd-**Skyline Park access hours are 9A.M. to 4P.M. Weekends only**. Mile 0.0 at the Chain link fence at Pinecrest Drive. Climbing the Mount Wilson Toll road you will pass Henniger Flats campground at mile 2.7. Continue on and you will also pass the idle hour trail at mile 3.4. Mile 7.5 you will pass the Winter Creek Trail. You will soon find yourself at Mount Wilson. Enter Skyline Park and at the first Driveway merge left where a sign states authorized vehicles only! As soon as you merge left, if you need water refill at the water faucet on your right. Continue on, passing the museum, a telescope dome to your right and left. Head toward the rear of the 100 inch telescope dome. Locate the trail. On my first try, a forest service personnel had to direct me towards the trail. [Note: Referring to the San Gabriel Mountains Topograph map made by fine edge productions, locate skyline park on Mount Wilson. You will notice two trails departing from the rear of the park. One called 11W16 leads towards Sturtevant camp. The only other trail north of 11W16 leads towards Newcombs saddle] Descend the single track trail heading towards Newcombs saddle. The trails leading to Chantry flats are narrow and **expect to see a lot of hikers**. The first mile should be very narrow. Please be careful. You will notice the plush green vegetation at 5800 feet is strikingly beautiful. As you reach Newcombs saddle turn right heading towards Chantry flats. As soon as you reach Chantry Flats, you will need to Descend using the paved road and turn right at Sierra Madre Blvd and ride through Sierra Madre. As soon as you see a golf course turn right heading towards New York Drive. Turn right on Altadena Drive back to your car. Mileage should be approx 28 miles.
  Singletrack=33% Dirt Road=33% Paved Path=33%
  Charles a 30 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Trek Y-33 full suspension from Pasadena,California URL:Live Camera look of the 100 inch dome high atop Mt Wilson.

  Posted:05/24/1998