WPT011
Location: 34.2460327148438, -118.046859741211
At approximately 4.7 miles, cross the West Fork to the south bank at an easily-boulder-hopped crossing.
Continue to the southeast along the West Fork on the slightly overgrown trail for approximately .3 miles.
WPT012
Location: 34.2439498901367, -118.042488098145
At 5.02 miles, boulder hop across the West Fork to the east bank of the river.
The trail gets increasingly overgrown, but is still passable. Over the next .5 miles, the trail remains primarily on the north side of the river, as it heads east through dense riparian forest.
WPT013
Location: 34.2432708740234, -118.036628723145
At 5.52 miles, cross to the south side of the West Fork and continue south toward Devore Trail Camp.
OPTIONAL: Stay on the north side of the West Fork and continue northeast with the West Fork. An old anglers' trail continues for aproximately 1 mile through beautiful riverside forest. When the trail ends, continue for another 4 miles of bushwhacking and boulder hopping along the river until it ends at Cogswell Reservoir.
WPT001
Location: 34.2239990234375, -118.062240600586
Park at the end of Mount Wilson - Red Box Road, just before a road sign prevents you from driving any farther.
Hike back out along the road the way you came in, toward the automatic gate outside the Visitor Center.
Keep to the right at Y outside the gate. Continue following the road about 2200 feet
WPT007
Location: 34.2475395202637, -118.059722900391
At 3.63, bear R at Y-junction onto Gabrielino Trail.
Continue on the Gabrielino trail .83 miles as it travels east. The trail makes a slow and gradual descent as it follows a ridge to the south of the West Fork of the San Gabriel River.
WPT014
Location: 34.2433586120606, -118.036056518555
At 5.7 miles, reach Devore Trail Camp -- a primitive campsite with several picnic tables on the south bank of the West Fork. The camp site is shady and lightly used. This is a good place to camp for the night, or take a short break. The rest of this hike is relentlessly uphill.
When you are rested, look for the Gabrielino Trail continuing up a major ascent to the south of the campground. Continue on this trail to the south-southeast for about a mile as it climbs ridges and switchbacks.
WPT015
Location: 34.2346382141113, -118.028717041016
At 6.72 miles, cross the Rincon-Red Box Fire Road at 4-way junction and continue south on the Gabrielino Trail.
WPT004
Location: 34.232105255127, -118.066619873047
At 1.33 miles, cross a seasonal stream running through Strayns Canyon. Note the locked brick hut to the south and continue as the trail meanders on the east side of the canyon for another .78 miles.
At 2.11 miles, the trail crosses a rocky section of the canyon to the west side, then follows it to the northwest.
WPT005
Location: 34.2383422851562, -118.070121765137
At 2.49 miles, briefly enter the gulch of Strayns Canyon before rising to a long ridge to the west of the canyon.
Follow the trail as it continues to the northeast along a low ridge above the canyon for .3 miles.
WPT016
Location: 34.2325439453125, -118.027374267578
At 7.03 miles, stay to the far R at 5-way junction at Newcomb Pass (elev. 4115 ft), toward a small memorial plaque and the Rim Trail, headed toward Mount Wilson.
You have just completed the steepest section of the trail, and now the trail stays relatively level for the next mile.
Follow the Rim Trail west, as it parallels a long ridge of Mount Wilson, just to the north. This section of trail is also very shaded and - in spots - eroded and thin, with steep drop-offs. Use cautioin, and do not attempt this during the winter without proper equipment.
WPT018
Location: 34.2273635864258, -118.055824279785
At 9.73 miles, rejoin the summit plateau of Mount Wilson at the easternmost Solar Cameras and observatory towers.
Continue west as the trail travels through a large, shaded pine grove to the north of the obervatories.
WPT003
Location: 34.2280960083008, -118.067443847656
At 2434 feet, continue straight on 4-way junction with Mt. Wilson Parking Lot Trail.
The trail continues along the mountain's gradual north-facing slope on a well-marked, well-shaded route. Continue down 4 large switchbacks as the trail heads toward Strayns Canyon.
WPT019
Location: 34.2241401672363, -118.059928894043
At 10.35 miles, the Rim Trail rejoins an observatory service road.
Bear R at the T-junction, west on the service road. There are informational plaques along the final xxx of the road, detailing the differences between the major plants in the San Gabriels.
Continue on the service road for .17 miles until you return to the parking lot where you began. If you're hunting summits, travel xxx to the south side of the visitor center, which is the summit of Mount Wilson (5710 ft)
WPT010
Location: 34.2462730407715, -118.049499511719
At 4.56 miles, continue east, crossing the dirt Rincon-Red Box Road and heading toward the West Fork.
Depending on when you hike, this river may be a nearly-dry trickle or a raging torrent of whitewater. Cross carefully to the east, looking for a small, green metal sign on the other bank. This is a run-down "Pack it Out" sign that marks the continuation of the trail. Look for a broad footpath that continues to the east, on the north side of the riverbed.
WPT017
Location: 34.231803894043, -118.045127868652
At 8.24 miles, stop at a highly eroded section of trail with steep drop offs. Hang on to the prominent, exposed tree roots with your hands as you maneuver across this small but dangerous section of trail.
Continue xxx to the west, as the trail cuts through manzanita bushes on the ridge before switchbacking to the summit plateau.
WPT006
Location: 34.2420387268066, -118.068649291992
At 2.88 miles, cross a dependably-flowing section of Strayns Canyon Creek.
Here, the trail crosses at a thin, elevated section of the creek, with an 8 foot drop to the north of the cross. There is a loosely-anchored rope stretched across the stream to provide support. Use caution.
Over the next .75 miles, the trail gradually leaves the shade of the pine forest and enters a section of Southern California scrub.
WPT008
Location: 34.2452583312988, -118.050109863281
At 4.45 miles, note the large water tanks on the north side of the trail. Continue on trail as it drops to the canyon floor in the shade again.
Be aware of poison oak -- there's a lot of it in this area.
WPT009
Location: 34.2458419799805, -118.04988861084
At 4.53 miles, cross Rush Creek and enter West Fork Camp.
Immediately to your east as you enter the camp is a small concrete foundation. This is the site of the first US Forest Service cabin built in California (in 1900). The cabin has since been moved to the Chilao Visitor Center.
The campground itself has several well-maintained sites, picnic tables, fire pits, and portable toilets. During the spring and early summer, it is nearly surrounded by rushing water from Rush Creek, the West Fork, and Shortcut Canyon Creek.
Continue east about 250 feet through the campground.
WPT002
Location: 34.2276573181152, -118.06795501709
At 2210 feet, reach the intersection between Mount Wilson - Red Box Road, Audio Road, and Video Road.
Look for a small wooden sign on the north side of the road. Turn R off 4-way road junction onto Kenyon DeVore Trail toward the Gabrielino Trail and West Fork Campground. On some maps, this trail is called the Rattlesnake Trail.
OPTIONAL: Cross the street and look to the west for a great view of neighboring peaks, including Mount Lowe, Mount Markham, and San Gabriel Peak.
Radio Towers
Location: 34.2242774963379, -118.063171386719
Some of the many radio and TV towers on top of Mount Wilson
westmountains
Location: 34.2275428771973, -118.067695617676
L-R: Mount Lowe, Mount Markham, San Gabriel Peak
Trail Markers
Location: 34.2296180725098, -118.067764282227
Much of this trail is over-marked, with streamers and ribbons, cairns, and arrows chalked in the ground and on rocks.
Strayns Canyon Creek
Location: 34.2323837280273, -118.066757202148
Running dry in late August
Parallel the Gulch
Location: 34.2391700744629, -118.069770812988
in Strayns Canyon
West Fork Campground
Location: 34.2462692260742, -118.049224853516
Eroded Trail
Location: 34.232006072998, -118.044631958008
One of the worst sections of eroded trail on the Rim Trail.
Scrub
Location: 34.2469635009766, -118.061729431152
West Fork
Location: 34.2449493408203, -118.044006347656
Some of the beautiful scenery along the West Fork, en route to Devore Trail Camp
Rim Trail
Location: 34.2328186035156, -118.029037475586
Forested trail typical on the Rim Trail
Gabrielino Trail
Location: 34.2425575256348, -118.035736083984
The Gabrielino Trail rises out of Devore Trail Camp
Observatories
Location: 34.2273139953613, -118.056297302246
at the Mount Wilson Summit plateau
Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
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