Mt. Wilson (Red Box)
San Gabriel Mountains · near La Cañada Flintridge · Los Angeles / SoCal
Road Cycling
At a glance
- Distance
- long
- Best season
- Currently affected by Eaton Fire closure (see hazards); normally spring–fall, snow possible up high in winter
What is here
- Scenery
- mountain
- Amenities
- Historic Mt. Wilson Observatory · Iconic views over the LA basin · Quiet Mt. Wilson Rd finish · Cosmic Café rider stop (seasonal)
- Best for
- A climb to the observatory above LA
- Features
- Climb to Mt. Wilson Observatory · Iconic LA basin views · Quiet summit road · Historic mountaintop destination
Worth knowing
- Hazards
- CURRENTLY CLOSED: Mt. Wilson Rd & Red Box Rd shut by Eaton Fire recovery (through at least end of 2027) — check Angeles NF before planning · Fast traffic on Angeles Crest (Hwy 2) · High elevation; cool up top · Long climb — carry water & food · Long descent — control your speed
- Beginner friendly
- No
Road Cycling detail
- Ride types
- climb
- Road
- mixed
- Climbing
- 4
- Ride notes
- A climb to the famous observatory peak above LA — up Angeles Crest to Red Box, then the quiet Mt. Wilson Road to the ~5,700-ft summit with its historic observatory and antenna farm, and iconic views over the whole basin. NOTE: Mt. Wilson Rd and Red Box Rd are currently closed under the Eaton Fire recovery order — verify before planning
- Stats note
- Long climb via Hwy 2 to Red Box, then Mt. Wilson Rd to ~5,700 ft summit
- Seasonal
- No
- Intl tip
- One of LA's most rewarding summit climbs — up Angeles Crest Highway to Red Box saddle, then the quieter Mt. Wilson Rd to the ~5,700-ft summit, home to the historic Mt. Wilson Observatory and the antenna farm from every LA skyline shot. IMPORTANT: as of 2026 this is closed — Mt. Wilson Rd and Red Box Rd fall within the Angeles NF Eaton Fire recovery closure (from the January 2025 fire), in place through at least end of 2027, so the classic climb isn't accessible right now; check Angeles NF status. Normally: long climb at real elevation (carry water and food, dress for cool air up top); Angeles Crest carries fast traffic; snow possible up high in winter.
The guide
Mt. Wilson, the observatory-crowned peak that watches over the Los Angeles basin, makes one of the region's most rewarding summ…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Mt. Wilson (Red Box) — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 34.22, -118.06