Mount Wilson is a great little trip up the side of the San Gabriel Mountains, just 5710 feet, but it is right up against the cities of Glendale and Pasadena. I was looking on the internet, and I do not know if there is any city near the size of Los Angeles with a 5000+foot mountain as close as Mount Wilson.
This gives some spectacular vistas of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. Although my video is weak, because it was misty, you can still get an idea of how fast the mountain falls off to the city.
On clear days, you can see the San Bernardino Mountains to the East, Long Beach and Palos Verdes to the south, Marina del Rey and Santa Monica to the west. You also get a great view of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island, and the San Fernando Valley. The Views from here are just incredible. And this all while you are in the middle of a forest of pine trees, incredible.
Observatory
The Observatory, which was not open, it conducts tours on weekend. The observatory and telescopes on Mount Wilson have a great place in the evolution of modern astronomy. There were times when it has had the biggest telescope in the country on the mountain.
In 1904, George Ellery Hale founded a telescope on Mount Wilson. When it was finished in 1917, the Mount Wilson Telescope was the Biggest in the world. It held that title until 1947, when it was surpassed by the Telescope at nearby Palomar, northeast of San Diego, CA.
There are still tours that allow you to look through the telescope. Obviously, smog and lights have affected what the telescope sees. It still has great viewing capability and is in a 1=2 hour drive from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and the San Fernando Valley. It is a great drive up the side of the mountain, and you will be rewarded with incredible vistas of the surrounding areas and cities.
To learn more about George Hale, click the Link on his picture. And you can do the same to the Pacific Electric logo image to learn the history of Los Angeles streetcars. All in all, an interesting trip for a day or even just a morning or evening.
Street Car Route to Mount Wilson
Another interesting piece of history about the mountain. When Los Angeles had the biggest streetcar group in the world, one route went up to Mount Wilson. Yes, Los Angeles had the biggest Street Car Company in the world. I knew when I was really young, because my Mother’s father was a conductor on the “Big Red Cars’.
They ran from Los Angeles. When you drive the Golden State Freeway, Highway 5, by Griffith Park and Dodger Stadium, over much of it, you can see two flat areas along the side of the hills. These are where the southbound and northbound cars ran to stay above the Los Angeles River.
Really, it is the Los Angeles flood channel. Like most desert rivers, it is dry more than it is not. And because it is mostly desert, when it does rain, the ground does not the rain drain into the ground. This means the flood channel becomes fast and dangerous very quickly.
Quick Trip
Mount Wilson is just a quick little trip from Los Angeles. Take the 210 Fwy and get off at Angeles Crest Highway. Right away your drive will start going up into the mountains.
On the way up, you will see many cyclists and motorcycles along the road. The climb is very popular with cyclists and the whole road is popular with motorcycles. You will also cross a bridge that has ben udes many times in movies commercials and just scenic photographs.
After you travel a few miles, there is a right turn at Mount Wilson Road. This is more of a mountain road than a highway. As you travel up the mountain, there are great vistas along the way. You will know when you get to the top because the road ends.
There will also be two clusters of giant transmitter towers. And to the left of the second transmitter, you can see the observatory. There are tours, but nit everyday. There are many trails you can hike down if you are the adventurous type.
Enjoy Your Trip
When you come back to Hwy 2, if you turn right. This is one of the most open, small mountain roads I have been on. That is why the motorcyclists love its long curves and not many switchbacks. Well you should ;ve this road if you like to DRIVE ot just steer a car. Not fast just like te drive not just the car trip. If you are a drier you get it.
The road does not go all the way through anymore. It has been closed for 21 years. Sacramento, I am not buying any of your excuses, but I regret that the drive is still worth it. Great views of the basin and dessert and it is fun to drive,