This wknd I’m planning on doing this ride so figured I’d finish this post from 3 months ago(!).
Waaaaay back on Memorial Day wknd I finally rode up to Mt. Wilson on dirt, using the cross bike. I took roads out past the Pasadena Aquatic Center, the Rose Bowl and all those exercising bodies then up through the JPL trailhead. From here it’s a route we utilize often when mountain biking: Brown Mountain fire road -> 3 points -> Millard -> Sunset Ridge (paved and steep!) -> The intersection with the Echo Mountain trail. Normally we’d then shoot down the Sunset Ridge single track -> Millard trail -> El Prieto.
On this journey I continued up, where the grade lessens and you are following the old (19th century!) train route. This mbpost.com page has some photos and a description of the trail. Photo is looking south toward Pasadena. Echo mountain is off to the left.
![](http://truelovehealth.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/mtloweroad2.jpg?w=225)
Not long after this and you are surrounded by pine trees and there is no sight of civilization. Even on a holiday weekend I didnt see anyone for the next few hours.
![](http://truelovehealth.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/mtlowetunnel.jpg?w=225)
Mt Lowe tunnel! I knew about this tunnel, but didn’t know exactly where it was. Had no idea about this slide!
![](http://truelovehealth.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/lowetunnelclosed.jpg?w=225)
I’d come across another ‘closed’ sign from behind later in the day.
![](http://truelovehealth.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/wilsonfromlowe.jpg?w=300)
Mt Wilson finally comes into view. Less than a mile from the tunnel you hit Mt. Wilson road, which I have ridden on the road bike many times. After some more climbing, sneaking through a closed gate to snatch some water, texting from the top (gonna be late! sorry!), I descended Mt. Wilson toll road, which is unpaved and apparently closed. Have to admit that on the end of a 6-hour ride it was a little tricky and tough on the upper body. Saw two hikers, who were as surprised to see me as I was them. Then rolled through a closed campground. Suddenly you arrive at Eaton Canyon, crawling with day hikers and their bottled water. No bikes? Oops.
Hit the world’s only vegetarian drive-thru on the way back to NELA to grab a recovery peanut butter soymilk shake and then onto the rest of the wknd’s exploits.