Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat

14.5 miles - Hard Effort
7:30 Hours (Total)
4,600 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 5,712 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Mt Wilson, at 5,712 feet, is the peak with all the radio towers that sits behind the LA skyline. It's not the tallest peak in LA, but it's a great hike with a fun summit. Multiple hiking trails ascend Mt Wilson. This hike starts at Chantry Flat, which gives you a gentler climb to the Mt Wilson summit, a trailhead store, bathrooms, and great views of LA on the way down. It's a fun hike and a good long hike for beginners.

In this Guide:

Turn by Turn Hike Directions & Video
Mount Wilson Trail Maps
How to Get to the Mount Wilson Hike

Quick Links: Parks Pass - Angeles National Forest - Weather Forecast - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Getting to the Chantry Flat Trailhead

Use this GPS address: Chantry Flat Recreation Area, Sierra Madre, CA, 91011, USA.

The Chantry Flat parking lot fills up early. Get here as close to opening at 6am as possible to ensure that you have a spot. Some times it opens early. It's not uncommon to have people waiting for the gate to open.

You also need a parking pass for the lot. I use the affordable National Parks Pass, which gets me in every national park, national monument, and national forest. You can also use an (Southern California only) Adventure Pass, or buy a $5 day permit from the general store in Chantry Flats.

When the lot is full, people park down on the side of the road and walk up to the trailhead.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat parking — The Chantry Flat parking area opens at 6am and fills up quickly. You might have to drive down the road to park if the lot is full.

There are basic bathrooms at Chantry Flat.

Mt Wilson Trailhead — Here's detail of the lot and where the trailhead is.

If you want to take public transportation, there are sometimes weekend shuttles from the Arcadia Gold Line station. Check out the website or give them a call to see if it's running when you want to go.

Gear for the Hike

Even though Mt Wilson is a beginner friendly hike, its long and you should have hiking gear, not just workout clothes. It's rare for Mt Wilson to get snow, but it does sometimes. And in the summer, there can be thunder storms. Check the summit forecast before you go.

It also helps to have insect repellant in case the flies are out. They can get annoying.

The summit is home to Mt Wilson Observatory, where you can take a guided tour of the telescopes and grab a snack at the Cosmic Cafe. Generally when I do the hike, I skip any observatory visits but always grab a snack at the Cosmic Cafe.

If you want to check if there's snow on your hike, read this guide.

My Latest Gear Picks

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork Poles ( REI | Amazon )

As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

Mt Wilson From Chantry Flat Trail Maps

There are multiple routes up to the Mt Wilson summit, and this guide covers one of the most popular routes from Chantry Flats. It's a scenic route that follows "trail trails" for most of the way and avoids wider dirt roads (aside from a few short sections).

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat 3d map — The Mt Wilson hike from Chantry Flat is a nice loop that has tree cover for most of the way. It's a good hike to do on hot days because of the shade.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat elevation — Aside from a little dip at the start and end, the hike climbs steadily toward the Mt Wilson summit. Take your time and pace yourself.

What to Know Before the Hike

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 9 — You'll see a ton of these dams, dating back to the 1960s on this hike.

The dams you see throughout the hike to Mt Wilson were built in the 1960s to keep sand and rocks from traveling downstream to the larger Big Santa Anita Dam and reservoir. The paved road that the hike starts on used to head up along many of the smaller trails that you'll hike on, and was used to bring up the cranes, cement mixers, and other trucks needed to create the dams.
Most big dams have a smaller “sill dam” downstream that is used to protect the foundation of the larger dam upstream. When you see any lower dam missing, it means mother nature went ahead and blew it out. The first sill dams blew out in 1969 during a wet El Nino year.
Many of the (private) cabins that you see on the hike were built in the 1910s-1920s when the U.S. Forest Service encourage people to build them. The supplies used to build them were brought in by mules, and still are today by Adams Pack Station. Over the years the elements have destroyed many cabins, and today there are less than 80 of them. You can stay in some of the ones at Sturtevant Camp.
Mt Wilson is named after General Patton's grandfather.
Mt Wilson houses the Mount Wilson Observatory, and can be accessed by road as well as hiking. Don't be shocked when you see ice cream-eating tourists at the top.
The summit of Mt Wilson, at 5,710 feet, has unobstructed views of much of LA, and on a clear day you can see Catalina, the southern Channel Islands, and down into San Diego County.

Mt Wilson From Chantry Flat Hike Directions

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Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat trailhead — The trail starts on the forest road at the entrance to the Chantry Flat parking lot.

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 10 — The trail sign at the start confirms you've got about 50 feet done, 7 miles to go.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat road — Hike down the paved fire road, which used to go all the way (paved) to Sturtevant Camp (you'll see that later).

hike sign — Some inspiration for your hike.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat bridge — At about 0.6 miles, you get to the bottom. Hike across the bridge.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat bathrooms — There are bathrooms at this big trail junction.

Gabrielino trail sign — Take the Gabrielino trail towards Mt Wilson.

The Gabrielino Trail winds its way up Santa Anita Wash, past dams and private cabins.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat trail — At about 1.4 miles, hike to the left.

Hike right to the lower Gabrielino Trail.

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 8 — There are call boxes at various points along the hike. I have no idea if they actually work, but they're worth a try if you get in a jam. Luckily much of this route is heavily travelled and help is usually close at hand.

At about 2 miles, the trail crosses a rock pile. Watch out for poison oak here.

At about 2.4 miles, you reach the Falling Sign Junction.

At about 2.9 miles, you reach the Cascade Picnic Area. Hike to the right, up the hill.

A little after 3.5 miles, you reach Spruce Grove Campground.

Spruce Run Campground bathroom — If you need a bathroom break, Spruce Run Campground has them. It’s also a good time to have some food before the main part of the climb.

At about 3.8 miles, you reach the Sturtevant Trail junction.

Hike to the left onto the Sturtevant Trail toward Mt Wilson.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat trail crosses stream — Shortly after the last junction, the trail goes up some stairs.. Make the left here, avoiding the hike straight into Sturtevant Camp .

At about 4 miles, you reach the Upper Zion Trail Junction. Continue hiking straight toward Mt Wilson.

This is the sign at the Upper Zion Trail Junction.

Sturtevant Camp, also at the junction, is a cool little set of cabins in the middle of the forest. Save it for your next visit and keep hiking on the Sturtevant Trail.

After climbing a bit, the trail enters a rock field. Keep to the left to stay on the trail.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat trail climbs — Now you climb. This is the steepest mile or two. Switchbacks ease your pain as you climb toward Mt Wilson.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat trail sign — Almost there! At about 5.3 miles you arrive at the sign. Keep hiking toward Mt. Wilson, the toughest part is behind you.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat views — The views start opening up as you approach the Mt Wilson summit.

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 7 — Keep your eyes open for wildlife. There are a ton of trees and therefore dead leaves. Most of the scattering around is from squirrels, but sometimes you'll see a mule deer too.

The Mt Wilson summit! You'll arrive here at around 6.8 miles.

Mt Wilson Summit Map — Here's a quick map of the summit area. The following images walk you through it.

cris hazzard at Mt Wilson Observatory — Check out the Mt Wilson Observatory. There is a visitors center in the big, 100 inch telescope building.

bridge on Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat — After checking out the 100 inch telescope, head across the little bridge.

The Astronomical Museum is on the road and worth a stop if that’s your thing.

Ignore the turn for the Rim Trail and keep hiking down the road.

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 2 — Look for a curved turnout heading up to the highest area. Hike up that trail.

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 1 — You'll come out in a parking lot, hike straight to the bathrooms and cafe.

There are water fill stations here. Fill your hydration system for the trip back down.

Grab a bite at the Cosmic Cafe to fuel up for the rest of the hike. The PBJS sandwich did the trick for me.

Enjoy the Mt Wilson summit views of LA as you have a bite.

The Mt Wilson trail sign is at the midpoint of the parking lot. Note: Looks like someone stole the sign so just look for a pole. Sometimes there's an arrow.

Watch out for Poodle Dog Bush in the burn areas on your way down.

Enjoy a few hours of decent as the Mt Wilson Trail heads back down the mountain.

As you hike down the Mt Wilson Trail, there are great views of LA.

lizard on rock — Don’t forget to look down too! Lots of critters around here.

At about 8.4 miles, the Mt Wilson Trail arrives at the Mt Wilson Toll Road. Hike to the left onto the Mt. Wilson Toll Road.

At about 9.5 miles, there’s an unmarked junction. Hike to the left, which is the Winter Creek Trail. You'll take Winter Creek Trail back toward Chantry Flat.

Mt Wilson Hike Updates 5 — Make the left at the bench on the much smaller trail.

At about 11.9 miles, the Winter Creek Trail splits. Make the left for the shorter and more scenic Lower Winter Creek Trail.

dams on Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat — As you descend along the creek, you’ll notice the dams that you saw when you started the hike earlier.

The trail goes through the Hoegee Campground. Walk through the campground to find the trail.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat scenery — The scenery on this part of the trail is really nice. Soak it in, the hike is almost over.

Mt Wilson Hike From Chantry Flat junction — At about 13.9 miles, you reach the big junction from the beginning of the hike. Go right and back up the paved climb to the parking lot.

cris hazzard at chantry flat — YOU DID IT! The Mt. Wilson trail hike is no joke. 4000+ feet of climbing and 14+ miles. Go ahead and treat yourself to dessert, you just burned a billion calories.

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).

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