-
4316 Hits
-
69.76% Score
-
2 Votes
Page Type:
|
Route |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
34.22499°N / 118.06364°W |
Route Type:
|
Hiking |
Season:
|
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
|
Time Required:
|
Half a day |
|
Difficulty:
|
Class I - 4,500' Elevation Gain |
|
Overview
Initially, a four foot wide trail built in 1891, the toll road was expanded 1907 to ten feet in order to transport the 60 inch telescope to the top of Mount Wilson. Later in 1912 the road was again widened to 12 feet to fit the 100 inch telescope.In the 20s, the toll road was home of the Altadena-Mount Wilson automobile race. The road was open to the public until the construction of the Angeles Crest Highway in 1936. The road was then turned over to the Forest Service as a fire road.
Getting There
To get to the start of the toll road, drive to the east loop of Pinecrest Drive in Altadena. Get past the fence down towards the toll road.Route Description
Total elevation gain: 4,500 feet.Distance: 9 Miles each way.
Take the dirt road down to the mouth of Eaten Canyon towards Henninger Flats. Pass these green flats and stay on the road until you reach the observatory's parking lot.
Essential Gear
Comfortable shoes and plenty of water.In winter, it is not uncommon to find snow on the trail above 4,500 feet or lower right after a storm. Weather can change very quickly up there. Be prepared and do not fall into the "Day Hike" mentality death trap.