This is an awesome trail for medium to high skill hikers. However, I brought my wife and ten year old son who are not hikers. They walked 3 miles up and back with no issues. It has beautiful views and no meters to park. The longest trail is 8.6 miles. Our dog was excited. Got to keep him on a leash. Overall, great hike. I'd recommend this trail anytime. Get there early to avoid crowds. 🥾⛰️

Beautiful trail, easy with moderate grade. We go about 4 miles up and down. Beautiful canyon below, be careful escape can be difficult and hard even for experienced hikers. Lots of scenery and animals.

Wednesday March spring  hiking @ Mt.Wilson Trail from Sierra Madre (from Mount Wilson Trail park) early morning. I started the trail  at 9 AM and got to the top of the mt. at 2:30 pm; and I got to spend 30min in there, because everything was closed, 😒include an observatory, restroom, and cafe shop. I arrived around 8:35am and i used the bathroom in the park.  I park my car on the street , than I start walking to the a residential street which headed to the trail entrance. The trail was really pretty, gorgeous views,  you can see LA buildings’s , the trail is all up hill 😒so when you come back it’s all down hill.🤭. This trail definitely is one of my top 5 for the area, and for views,  and the "trail" oh yes! it packs quite an incline on the way up . The way down isn’t too bad.  Returning was more easier than going to the top of the mt.. The trail was mostly shady and cool breeze made my hike more enjoyable but after 3miles away from the start point ; the first 3miles  doesn't have trees, no shade at all.  🌞After 3miles you will be inside the mountains beautiful trees, 🪴🌱🌿🌾.  The trail  is not difficult, at all and I make 15.35 miles, around trip. I reach the top of the mt Wilson observatory after 8miles remember going up is making more miles than going down,  after 7 miles you will see a road they call "toll road"  or the trail, on the right hand,  I used the road to walk all way to the observatory was easy for me , but was closed to the public", but you can used the trail on you right hand , is hill up, that trail will go to the solar tower, and the telescope,  the trail is well maintained very clean ,no graffiti. Enjoy!  PLEASE KEEP IT  CLEAN THIS TRAIL , PLEASE DON'T SIGH YOUR STUPI NAME ON IT ROCKS , NO GRAFFITI PLEASE.

You can start off your hike through Mt.Wilson trail st, work your way up north of the trail to First water 1.5 miles then orchard camp 3.5 miles, Last water n Mazanita ridge about 4-5 miles, Mt.Wilson 7.0 miles ahead keep in mind its a total of 14 miles round trip. Thought out the hike, you have stunning views, of the Sierra Madre Mt, San Gabriel Valley, Santanita race track, the 210 fwy, and surrounding cities. This trail is also a pet friendly, Children are welcome, Hike on your own pace, never go off trail and bring a hat and lots of water!

Tough trail with steady climb all the way. No parking except onthe street. You can go all the way up to Mt Wilson for 14 plus miles or cut it short at some point. Lots of shade along the way. On rainy days it will be cold and humid so layer up. Trail is easy to follow and well marked. The second half past Orchard Camp has a couple of rough spot but doable with care

Trial head park has a bathroom. Parking is in a neighborhood so be respectful of residents. The trail to the top of Wilson is beautiful. We got some mild snow in March.

Great morning hike up to First water. Straight up hill but you feel you've accomplished your goal for the day.

Awesome day of hiking, it was one of the spots I looked up to when I first started hiking, I look forward to doing it again, epic views, nice trails, mostly shaded which is nice.

Parking on the street. Incline from the beginning all the way to the first water canyon. Once up there, it is beautiful with a lot of shades. Bring snacks to enjoy the shades, rocks, creek and peace. Do not forget to bring a trash bag to collect your own's. The altitude of the first water canyon is about 1,200 ft. You can go up further to reach the top.

The day of my visit was misty and foggy but the layer burned off by the end of the run and the views were spectacular. It was slightly humid but there was lots of shade and the trail is well maintained. The hike to the top is difficult, it's mostly a gradual climb with some steeper inclines. There are rocky areas and small water crossings.

Parking is limited unfortunately, trail is quite steep in the beginning, early morning is the best time to viist. Pretty

As someone who is perpetually frustrated at the obvious over-population issue on hiking trails in CA, this one is no exception, there is hardly breathing room on the weekends - but it is significantly less than other locations. It's quite the trek to get to First Water. The signage will tell you it's a little over a mile, but it's only that distance to the fork where you can begin going toward first water, the actual trek to the water is about 3 miles. (Unlike most places, you CANNOT drink this water, CA - smh)

Very difficult hike with the snow. Add 4-5 hours to your typical time to account for snow in the last 3 miles.

Very nice trail at least to first water, harder and steeper than expected

It’s great it has shade almost all the way to the Observatory after First Water (FW), this is for the first 2.2 miles (exposed). Love the shade and green, the creeks 😍, overall has very good maintenance. Hiked my way up, ran the way down. Does have some very short steep/technical crossings, specially last 2 miles, meaning it’s highly recommended for a good training session. WBB👌🏽😎 Reason for 4 stars is I prefer green, humid trails with lots of water, not so common here in LA that is more of a dry area/city.

Leave time to explore, I came here after some rain with the family and there was an awesome side trail that took us down to a small river. GREAT TRAIL!

Beautiful; a must hike. It is very steep but worth every step.

Great trail amazing veiws very steep