16.4 hr
Overview
After a brief paved road section you'll be climbing Monrovia Canyon Truck Trail, then make a left onto Rincon-Redbox Road (2N24.2). Continue onto Newcomb Pass Connector toward Rim Trail that will take you to the Mt. Wilson Observatory and the beginning of the Mt. Wilson shuttle ride.<br><br>From here, you should have a full face helmet for the descent on Mt. Wilson Trail - Upper, Mt. Wilson Toll Road, and Mt. Wilson Trail.<br><br>Bring PLENTY of water, food, spare tires and everything else! Make sure you bring protection like elbow and knee pads for the descent from Mt. Wilson. This ride is NO JOKE and should be prepared for and taken very seriously. Also, it's a good idea to wear a SPOT GPS locator at all times, or at least have the <a href='/mobile-app'>MTB Project mobile app</a> downloaded in case you get lost.
Trail Stats
52.3 km
1974 m
1736 m
154 m
—
Photos
Mnt. Wilson trail
Mnt. Wilson trail
Two days after a good snowfall.
Two days after a good snowfall.
Gate restricting vehicles up the trail, easy to ride around, at the Overturf Junction.
Gate restricting vehicles up the trail, easy to ride around, at the Overturf Junction.
Overturf Trail Junction, 0.25 mi up the trail.
Overturf Trail Junction, 0.25 mi up the trail.
Junction of Rice Road & Camp Trask on the left and Monrovia Canyon Road on the right; stay on the right. Keep your eyes open for a Bobcat I saw twice in that area.
Junction of Rice Road & Camp Trask on the left and Monrovia Canyon Road on the right; stay on the right. Keep your eyes open for a Bobcat I saw twice in that area.
Overturf trailhead junction. Stay to the right and go around the gate.
Overturf trailhead junction. Stay to the right and go around the gate.
Overturf Trailhead information signage, "Journals of the Past: The Hiker."
Overturf Trailhead information signage, "Journals of the Past: The Hiker."
This is about 2-2.5 mi up the trail.
This is about 2-2.5 mi up the trail.
Mount Wilson
Mount Wilson
Local flora.
Local flora.
Even though it burned in 2017, this chunky section of trail is verdant with Poodle Dog Brush, Poison Oak, and Buckthorn.
Even though it burned in 2017, this chunky section of trail is verdant with Poodle Dog Brush, Poison Oak, and Buckthorn.
Typical exposure and conditions along upper portion of the trail.
Typical exposure and conditions along upper portion of the trail.
End of the trail.
End of the trail.
For a moment, you really do ride on the rim of this ridge.
For a moment, you really do ride on the rim of this ridge.